LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 

AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


977.373 
B32c 


I.H.S 


C  O  IJ  N  T  I  E  S 


O  K 


jUmyandJaspef^njRiclilaot 


ILLINOIS. 


I€:iSXOmC-A.L     A.lSri3     BIOGHt-A.raiC-A.L. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


a 


J 


CHICAGO: 
F.    A.    BATTEY    &    CO, 

1884, 


I 


'577,37-3 


j:)],,.o,c.    f^''+       ■^'Z 


PREFACB. 


THIS  volume  goes  fortli  to  our  patrons  tlie  result  of  months  of  arduous, 
uiireniitting  and  conscientious  labor.  None  so  well  know  as  those  who 
have  been  associated  with  us  the  almost  insurmountable  diHiculties  to  be 
met  with  in  the  preparation  of  a  work  of  this  character.  Sin(;c  tiie  inaug- 
uration of  the  enteri>rise  a  large  forc«  has  been  employed  in  gathering 
material.  During  this  time  most  of  the  citizens  of  three  counties  have  been 
called  upon  to  contribute  from  their  recollections,  carefully  preserved  let- 
ters, scraps  of  manuscript,  printed  fragments,  memoranda,  etc.  Public 
records  and  semi-otticdal  documents  have  been  searched,  the  newsjjaper 
tiles  of  the  county  have  been  overhauled,  and  former  citizens,  now  livini;- 
out  of  the  counties,  have  been  corresponded  with,  for  the  verification  of 
the  hiformation  by  a  conference  with  many.  In  gathering  from  these 
numerous  sources,  both  for  the  historical  and  l)iographical  departments, 
the  conflicting  statements,  the  discrepancies  and  the  fallible  and  incom- 
plete nature  of  i)ublic  documents,  were  almost  appalling  to  our  historians 
and  biographers,  who  were  expected  to  weave  therefrom  with  some  degree 
of  accuracy,  in  panoramic  review,  a  record  of  events.  Meml)ers  of  the 
same  families  disagree  as  to  the  spelling  of  the  family  name,  contradict 
each  other's  statements  as  to  the  dates  of  birth,  of  settlement  in.the  coun- 
ties, nativity,  and  other  matters  of  fact.  In  this  entangled  c;ondition,  we 
have  given  preference  to  the  preponderance  of  authority,  and  Avhile  we 
acknowledge  the  existence  of  errors  and  our  inability  to  furnish  a  perfect 
history,  we  claim  to  have  come  uj)  to  the  standard  of  our  promises,  and 
<>iven  as  accurate  a  work  as  the  nature  of  the  surroundings  would  })erniit. 
The  facts  incorporated  in  the  biographic;al  sketc^hes  have  in  most  cases 
been  secured  from  the  persons  whom  they  rei)resent,  hence  tlM3  publishers 
disclaim  any  responsibility  as  to  their  general  tenor.  Whatever  may  !)(• 
the  verdict  of  those  who  do  not  and  will  not  comprehend  the  difficulties  to 
be  met  with,  we  feel  assured  that  all  just  and  thoughtful  people  will  api>re- 
ciate  our  efforts,  and  recognize  the  importance  of  the  undertaking  and 
the  great  public  benefit  that  has  been  accomplished  hi  preserving  the  val- 
uable historical  matters  of  the  counties,  and  I)iograi)hies  of  many  of  their 
citizens,  that  perhaps  would  otherwise  have  passed  into  oblivion.  To  those 
who  have  given  us  their  support  and  encouragement  we  acknowletlge  our 
gratitude,  and  can  assure  them  that  as  years  go  by  the  book  will  grow  in 
value  as  a  repository  not  only  of  ])leasing  reading  nnitter.  but  of  treasured 
information  of  the  past  that  will  become  an  enduring  numument. 

TlIK   PUliiJSIIKRS. 


April.  1884. 


35^'^'^ 


CONTKNTS. 


PART  I. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    NORTHWEST    TERRITORY. 


PA«K. 

American  Settlements 59 

Black  Hawk  and  the  Black  Havrk  War 73 

Discovery  of  the  Ohio  River :<2 

Division  of  the  Nortliwest  Territory  05 


PAUX. 

Early  Explorations 20 

English  Explorations  and  Settlements 34 

Geographical  Position 19 

Tecumseh  and  the  War  of  1812 69 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAOB. 

Black  Ilawk,  Sac  ChiefUin 74 

Buffalo  Hunt 26 

High  Bridge 33 

Indians  attacking  Frontiersmen 55 

Indians  attacking  a  Stockade 71 

LakeBluff «2 

La  Salle  Landing  on  the  Shores  of  Green  Bay  24 

Mouth^of  the  Mississippi 31 


PA»B. 

Niagara    Falls 92 

Perry's  Monument 91 

Pioneer  Dwelling 00 

Pontiac,  Ottawa  Chief  tain 42 

Present  Site  of  Lake  St.  Bridge,  Chicago,  1883  58 

Source  of  the  Mississippi 22 

Tecuiaseh,  Shawanoc    Chieftain 68 

Trapping ^  28 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITKT>  STATES  AN1>  ITS  AMENDMENTS 


PART  II. 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


PAGE. 
OlUiANIZATION    AM)  DKVKI.OPMKNT 91 

Agriculture,    etc 104 

Churches - 170 

Clerks,    Circuit I'lO 

Clerks.  County 147 

Commissioners,  County 142 

County's  Name,  Origin  of  the 90 

Court,  County 143 

Courts,  First 140 

Early  Settlers ---  HO 

Fair  Association 109 

Geology 9'* 

Horticulture,  etc... i04 

Industries  and  Experiences  of  Settlers . .  110 

Judges,  County 147 

Jurors,  First --  140 

Material  Resources 102 

Minor  Divisions 1'^ 

Officials,  County 142 

Origin  of  the  County "1 

Political  Organization 123 

Press  and  Politics 167 

Public  Buildings 130 

Railroads 154 

Schools 1~3 

School  Superintendents IIS 

Secret  Organizations 175 

Sheriffs,  County 146 

Social  Development -. 148 

Stock  Raising,  etc 104 


PAOK. 

Supervisors.  Board  of 142 

Surveyors.  County 148 

Swamp  Lands 104 

Topography 97 

Treasurers,  County 147 

Wau   Record 170 

Cavalry,   Fifth 192 

Infantry,  Twenty-First 181 

Infantrv.  Fifty-Ninth 184 

Infantry,  Sixty-First 196 

Infantry.  Sixty-Second 199 

Infantry,  Ninety-Seventh 187 

Infantry, One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  188 
Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Fifth  192 

VlI.I.AliKS   OF  THK    CoiTNTY 201 

Bradbury  22:1 

Centerville 223 

Diona 223 

Greenup 201 

Hazel  Dell 223 

Janesville 223 

Jewett 211 

Johnstown 210 

Neoga 219 

Rainsburg 223 

Toledo 213 

Woodbury 210 


n 


CONTENTS 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  -Continued. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKKTCHES. 


PAGE. 

Cottonwood  Township 299 

Crooked  Creek  Township 284 

Greenup  Tow-nnhip 248 

Neoga  Township 322 

Spring  Point   Township 305 


PAGE. 

Sumpter  Township 234 

Toledo  City 224 

L'nion    Township .  34tj 

Woodlxiry  Township 363 


PORTRAITS. 


PAGE. 

Albin,  George  W 125 

Green.  David  B  i*>l 

Hanker.  Charles - 21a 

Monohon.  Gershom i'^ 


PAGE. 

Neal,  David 143 

Voris.  Franklin    D .     197 

Votaw,  Alahlon 107 


PART   III. 


HISTORY    OP    JASPER    COUNTY. 


PAGE. 

Orijakization  and  Condition 367 

Agriculture.. SI'S 

Fair  Association - 381 

Geology - 373 

Material  Resources 3i() 

Name,  Origin  of 369 

Settlement,  Early 382 

Swamp  Lands - 378 

Topography 371 

Pl.l.lTICAI.    ORliANIZATION    -ffld 

Acta  of  County  Commissioners H94 

Attorneys,  State's 4.J6 

Charities,  County 418 

Circuit  Clerks 42.") 

Coroners' 4'J6 

iJourtsand  Crime - 419 

(Jourt  House 413 

•lail.  The -ll-"' 

Judge,  County - 4:i6 

Officials,  County 422 

Public    Buildings 413 

School  Commissioners 426 

Sheriffs,  County.... 42.') 

Supervisors.  County 42;^ 

Surveyors,  County 426 

Townships •  -WW 

Treasurers,  County 125 

Voting  Precincts 4()0 

Social     Dkvki.opment 427 

Benevolent  Societies 4,55 

Bridges      4.34 

Church,  The  449 

Ferries...- 4.34 

Modes  of  Life,  Early --  427 

Press  and   Politics 444 

Itailroads 436 

Hoads,  Early 431 

Schools,  The 451 

School  StJitistics 455 

Settlers,  Early 427 

Societies,   Benevolent 4.55 


PACE. 

Travel,  Early 431 

Jasi'kh  Cotnty    in  the  Wak 458 

Cavalry,  Fifth 474 

Infantry,  Eighth .  46(» 

iufantrv,    Eleventh 463 

Infantrv,   Twenty-First 405 

Infantry,   Thirty-Eighth 468 

Infantry,  Forty-Sixth  471 

Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth 473 

Infantrv,  One  Unudred  and  Forty-Third.  473 
Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Fifth..  473 

ViLi.AiiK  Gkowth - 477 

Advance 491 

Bogota. 491 

Boos  Station  491 

Brockville        487 

Buena  ^'ista 487 

Centerville 487 

C'onstantinople 488 

Embarra8.aville 489 

Falmouth 491 

Franklin  488 

Grandville 487 

Harrisburg 487 

Haysville. 489 

Hidalgo 490 

Hunt  City .      49() 

Langdon 489 

Latona ..  491 

List  491 

Mount  Sidney 487 

New    Liberty 4«8 

Newton 477 

Plainfield  487 

Pleasant   Hill 488 

Point  Pleasant 489 

(Mieenstown 487 

Hose   Hill 489 

Saint  Marie : 481 

West  Liberty 488 

Wheeler 491 


BIO«KAI'HICAI.  SKKTCHKS. 


l'A(iK. 

Crooked  (reek  Township 527 

Fox  Township 577 

Grandville  Township -  .552 

Grove  Township 865 

Newton  Village 492 

North  .Muddy  Township...  571 


PAGE. 

Saint  Marie  Township .576 

Small  wood  Township 561 

South    Muddy  Townshij) .574 

Wade  Township 492 

Willow  Hill  Township .510 


Caldwell.  A.   Gallatin. 


PORTRAITS. 

PAGE.      I 

...411     I     Picquet,   .Joseph. 


I-AGE. 

,.   443 


CONTENTS. 


Vll 


PART  IV. 


HISTORY    OP    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 


PA(iB. 
OIM4ANIZATION  AND  GENERAL  DB8CRIPTI0N..    685 

Agriculture 595 

Agricultural   Societies 600 

Agricultural  Statigtics ,.,[  60] 

Geology 589 

Material   Resources 593 

Origin  of  the  County ]]  585 

Personal  Property 601 

Pioneers.  The 606 

Real  Estate  Statistics  (i02 

Settlement.  Early     604 

Social  Customs,  Early 614 

Topofirraphy ,588 

Political  OmrANiZATlON 618 

Churches,  The 6(>0 

Clerks,  Circuit  (^9 

Clerks,  County 639 

Commissioners,   County 638 

Courts  and  Crimes 634 

.Tudijes,  County 64<1 

Alinor  Divisions 619 

Officials,  County 6:W 

Press,  The '.'.'.'.'  6,')7 

Press  and  Politics 6,'56 

Public  Buildings 626 

Railroads 645 

Roads,  Early 641 


rAoi, 

Schools,    The 65^ 

Secret  Organizations 667 

Sheriffs,  County ,..."1!  C40 

Social  Development Ml 

Superintendent  of  Schools,  County '.  640 

Surveyors,  County 640 

Treasurers,  County !.  63!» 

Thk  War  Rhxonn 683 

Cavalry,   Fifth 705 

Cavalry,  Sixth 696 

Infantry,  Eighth   685 

Infantry,   Sixtieth 703 

Infantry,  Sixty -Third 687 

Infantry,  Nine(v-Ei;;hth 690 

Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth...  704 
Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtv-Sisth  095 
Infantry,  (Jne  Hundred  and  Fifty-Fourth  705 
Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Fifth      6!t5 

\'ii.i,A(iE  Ouowth 708 

Claremont 721 

Duudas '  722 

Fairview 722 

Glenwood 728 

Noble 1  7ig 

Parkersburg '..  722 

Wakefield 722 


BIOGRAPHICAl.  SKETCHES. 


PAGE. 

Bonpas  Township 819 

Claremont  Township 800 

Decker  Township 808 

Denver  Township    833 

German  Township  ..." 824 


PAGE. 

Madison  Township 812 

Noble  Township 794 

Olney  City  and  Township 724 

Preston  Township 829 


PORTRAITS. 


PAGE. 

Beck.  W.  P 68] 

Elliott,  William 603 

Hall,  n.  M ".;."  601 

Kuster,  John    610 

Landensberger,  F ',.['.  719 

Radcliff,  Thomas '...[][l[  "[["[""  699 


PAGE. 

Spring,  Arch 65S 

St.  John,  M.  M 635 

Stiider,  Henry .587 

Wolf,  John "     '        .595 

Wright,  H.j.B "::;:  709 


VIEW. 


Residence  of  H.  C.  Sands. 


PAOK. 

...  671 


([« 


s 


The    Northwest    Territory. 


GEOGRAPHICAL    POSITION. 

When  the  Northwestern  Territory  was  ceded  to  the  United  States 
by  Virginia  in  1784,  it  embraced  only  the  territory  lying  between  the 
Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  Rivers,  and  north  to  the  northern  limits  of  the 
United  States.  It  coincided  with  the  area  now  embraced  in  the  States 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  and  that  portion  of 
Minnesota  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  River.  The  United 
States  itself  at  that  period  extended  no  farther  west  than  the  Mississippi 
River  ;  but  by  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  in  1803,  the  western  boundary 
of  the  United  States  was  extended  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the 
Northern  Pacific  Ocean.  The  new  territory  thus  added  to  the  National 
domain,  and  subsequently  opened  to  settlement,  has  been  called  the 
''  New  Northwest,"  in  contradistinction  from  the  old  "  Northwestern 
Territory." 

In  comparison  with  the  old  Northwest  this  is  a  territory  of  vast 
magnitude.  It  includes  an  area  of  1,887,850  square  miles  ;  being  greater 
in  extent  than  the  united  areas  of  all  the  Middle  and  Southern  States, 
including  Texas.  Out  of  this  magnificent  territory  have  been  erected 
eleven  sovereign  States  and  eight  Territories,  with  an  aggregate  popula- 
tion, at  the  present  time,  of  13,000,000  inhabitants,  or  nearly  one  third  of 
the  entire  population  of  the  United  States. 

Its  lakes  are  fresh-water  seas,  and  the  larger  rivers  of  the  continent 
flow  for  a  thousand  miles  through  its  rich  alluvial  valleys  and  far- 
stretching  prairies,  more  acres  of  which  are  arable  and  productive  of  the 
highest  percentage  of  the  cereals  than  of  any  other  area  of  like  extent 
on  the  globe. 

For  the  last  twenty  years  the  increase  of  population  in  the  North- 
west has  been  about  as  three  to  one  in  any  other  portion  of  the  United 
States. 

(19) 


20  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


EARLY    EXPLORATIONS. 

In  the  year  1541,  DeSoto  first  saw  the  Great  West  in  the  New 
World.  He,  however,  penetrated  no  farther  north  than  the  35th  parallel 
of  latitude.  The  expedition  resulted  in  his  death  and  that  of  more  than 
half  his  army,  the  remainder  of  whom  found  their  way  to  Cuba,  thence 
to  Spain,  in  a  famished  and  demoralized  condition.  DeSoto  founded  no 
settlements,  produced  no  results,  and  left  no  traces,  unless  it  were  that 
he  awakened  the  hostility  of  the  red  man  against  the  white  man,  and 
disheartened  such  as  might  desire  to  follow  up  the  career  of  discovery 
for  better  purposes.  The  French  nation  were  eager  and  ready  to  seize 
upon  any  news  from  this  extensive  domain,  and  were  the  first  to  profit  by 
DeSoto's  defeat.  Yet  it  was  more  than  a  century  before  any  adventurer 
took  advantage  of  these  discoveries. 

In  1616,  four  years  before  the  pilgrims  "  moored  their  bark  on  the 
wild  New  England  shore,"  Le  Caron,  a  French  Franciscan,  had  pene- 
trated through  the  Iroquois  and  Wyandots  (Hurons)  to  the  streams  which 
run  into  Lake  Huron  ;  and  in  1634,  two  Jesuit  missionaries  founded  the 
first  mission  among  the  lake  tribes.  It  was  just  one  hundred  years  from 
the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  by  DeSoto  (1541)  until  the  Canadian 
envoys  met  the  savage  nations  of  the  Northwest  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Mary, 
below  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior.  This  visit  led  to  no  permanent 
result;  yet  it  was  not  until  1659  that  any  of  the  adventurous  fur  traders 
attempted  to  spend  a  Winter  in  the  frozen  wilds  about  the  great  lakes, 
nor  was  it  until  1660  that  a  station  was  established  upon  their  borders  by 
Mesnard,  who  perished  in  the  woods  a  few  months  after.  In  1665,  Claude 
Allouez  built  the  earliest  lasting  habitation  of  the  white  man  among  the 
Indians  of  the  Northwest.  In  1668,  Claude  Dablon  and  James  Marquette 
founded  the  mission  of  Sault  Ste.  iMarie  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Mary,  and  two 
years  afterward,  Nicholas  Perrot,  as  agent  for  M.  Talon,  Governor  Gen- 
eral of  Canada,  explored  Lake  Illinois  (Michigan)  as  far  south  as  the 
present  City  of  Chicago,  and  invited  the  Indian  nations  to  meet  him  at  a 
grand  council  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie  the  following  Spring,  where  they  were 
taken  under  the  protection  of  the  king,  and  formal  possession  was  taken 
of  the  Northwest.  This  same  year  Marquette  established  a  mission  at 
Point  St.  Ignatius,  where  was  founded  the  old  town  of  Michillimackinac. 

During  M.  Talon's  explorations  and  Marquette's  residence  at  St. 
Ignatius,  they  learned  of  a  great  river  away  to  the  Avest,  and  fancied 
— as  all  others  did  then — that  upon  its  fertile  banks  whole  tribes  of  God's 
children  resided,  to  whom  the  sound  of  the  Gospel  had  never  come. 
Filled  with  a  wish  to  go  and  preach  to  them,  and  in  compliance  with  a 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  21 

request  of  M.  Talon,  who  earnestly  desired  to  extend  the  domain  of  his 
king,  and  to  ascertain  whether  the  river  flowed  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
or  the  Pacific  Ocean,  Marquette  with  Joliet,  as  commander  of  the  expe- 
dition, prepared  for  the  undertaking. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  1673,  the  explorers,  accompanied  by  five  assist- 
ant French  Canadians,  set  out  from  Mackinaw  on  their  daring  voyage  of 
discovery.  The  Indians,  who  gathered  to  witness  their  departure,  were 
astonished  at  the  boldness  of  the  undertaking,  and  endeavored  to  dissuade 
them  from  their  purpose  by  representing  the  tribes  on  the  Mississippi  as 
exceedingly  savage  and  cruel,  and  the  river  itself  as  full  of  all  sorts  of 
frightful  monsters  ready  to  swallow  them  and  their  canoes  together.  But, 
nothing  daunted  by  these  terrific  descriptions,  Marquette  told  them  he 
was  willing  not  only  to  encounter  all  the  perils  of  the  unknown  region 
they  were  about  to  explore,  but  to  lay  down  his  life  in  a  cause  in  which 
the  salvation  of  souls  was  involved  ;  and  having  prayed  together  they 
separated.  Coasting  along  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  the 
adventurers  entered  Green  Bay,  and  passed  thence  up  the  Fox  River  and 
Lake  Winnebago  to  a  village  of  the  Miamis  and  Kickapoos.  Here  Mar- 
quette was  delighted  to  find  a  beautiful  cross  planted  in  the  middle  of  the 
town  ornamented  with  white  skins,  red  girdles  and  bows  and  arrows, 
which  these  good  people  had  offered  to  the  Great  Manitou,  or  God,  to 
thank  him  for  the  pity  he  had  bestowed  on  them  during  the  Winter  in 
giving  them  an  abundant  "  chase."  This  was  the  farthest  outpost  to 
which  Dablon  and  Allouez  had  extended  their  misoionary  labors  the 
year  previous.  Here  Marquette  drank  mineral  waters  and  was  instructed 
in  the  secret  of  a  root  which  cures  the  bite  of  the  venomous  rattlesnake. 
He  assembled  the  chiefs  and  old  men  of  the  village,  and,  pointing  to 
Joliet,  said:  "  My  friend  is  an  envoy  of  France,  to  discover  new  coun- 
tries, and  I  am  an  ambassador  from  God  to  enlighten  them  with  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel."  Two  Miami  guides  were  here  furnished  to  conduct 
them  to  the  Wisconsin  River,  and  they  set  out  from  the  Indian  village  on 
the  10th  of  June,  amidst  a  great  crowd  of  natives  who  had  assembled  to 
witness  their  departure  into  a  region  where  no  white  man  had  ever  yet 
ventured.  The  guides,  having  conducted  them  across  the  portage, 
returned.  The  explorers  launched  their  canoes  upon  the  Wisconsin, 
which  they  descended  to  the  Mississippi  and  proceeded  down  its  unknown 
waters.  What  emotions  must  have  swelled  their  breasts  as  they  struck 
out  into  the  broadening  current  and  became  conscious  that  they  were 
no.w  upon  the  bosom  of  ths  Father  of  Waters.  The  mystery  was  about 
to  be  lifted  from  the  long-sought  river.  The  scenery  in  that  locality  is 
beautiful,  and  on  that  delightful  seventeenth  of  June  must  have  been 
clad  in  all  its  primeval  loveliness  as  it  had  been  adorned  by  the  hand  of 


22 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERKITORY. 


Nature.  Drifting  rapidly,  it  is  said  that  the  bold  bluffs  on  either  hand 
*'  reminded  them  of  the  castled  shores  of  their  own  beautiful  rivers  of 
France."  By-and-by,  as  they  drifted  along,  great  herds  of  buffalo  appeared 
on  the  banks.  On  going  to  the  heads  of  the  valle)'  they  could  see  a 
country  of  the  greatest  beauty  and  fertility,  apparently  destitute  of  inhab- 
itants yet  presenting  the  appearance  of  extensive  manors,  under  the  fas- 
tidious cultivation  of  lordly  proprietors. 


SOURCE   OF   THE   MlSSISSirPI. 


On  June  25,  they  went  ashore  and  found  some  fresh  traces  of  men  upon 
the  sand,  and  a  path  wliich  led  to  the  prairie.  The  men  remained  in  the 
boat,  and  Marquette  and  Joliet  followed  the  path  till  they  discovered  a 
village  on  the  banks  of  a  river,  and  two  other  villages  on  a  hill,  within  a 
half  league  of  the  first,  inhabited  by  Indians.  They  were  received  most 
hospitably  by  these  natives,  who  had  never  before  seen  a  white  person. 
After  remaining  a  few  da3^s  they  re-embarked  and  descended  the  river  to 
about  latitude  33°,  where  they  found  a  village  of  the  Arkansas,  and  being 
satisfied  that  the  river  flowed  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  turned  their  course 


THE   NORTHWKST   TEURITOKY.  28 

up  the  river,  and  ascending  the  stream  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois, 
rowed  up  that  stream  to  its  source,  and  procured  guides  from  that  point 
to  the  lakes.  "  Nowhere  on  this  journey,"  says  Marquette,  •'  did  we  see 
such  grounds,  meadows,  woods,  stags,  buffaloes,  deer,  wildcats,  bustards, 
swans,  ducks,  parroquets,  and  even  beavers,  as  on  the  Illinois  River." 
The  party,  without  loss  or  injury,  reached  Green  Bay  in  September,  and 
reported  their  discovery — one  of  the  most  important  of  the  age,  but  of 
which  no  record  was  preserved  save  Marquette's,  Joliet  losing  his  by 
the  upsetting  of  his  canoe  on  his  way  to  Quebec.  Afterward  Marquette 
returned  to  the  Illinois  Indians  by  their  request,  and  ministered  to  them 
until  1675.  On  the  18th  of  May,  in  that  year,  as  he  was  passing  the 
mouth  of  a  stream — going  with  his  boatmen  up  Lake  Michigan — he  asked 
to  land  at  its  mouth  and  celebrate  Mass.  Leaving  his  men  with  the  canoe, 
he  retired  a  short  distance  and  began  his  devotions.  As  much  time 
passed  and  he  did  not  return,  his  men  went  in  search  of  him,  and  found 
him  upon  his  knees,  dead.  He  had  peacefully  passed  away  while  at 
prayer.  He  was  buried  at  this  spot.  Charlevoix,  who  visited  the  place 
fifty  years  after,  found  the  waters  had  retreated  from  the  grave,  leaving 
the  beloved  missionary  to  repose  in  peace.  The  river  has  since  been 
called  Marquette. 

While  Marquette  and  his  companions  were  pursuing  their  labors  in 
the  West,  two  men,  differing  widely  from  him  and  each  other,  were  pre- 
paring to  follow  in  his  footsteps  and  perfect  the  discoveries  so  well  begun 
by  him.     These  were  Robert  de  La  Salle  and  Louis  Hennepin. 

After  La  Salle's  return  from  the  discovery  of  the  Ohio  River  (see 
the  narrative  elsewhere),  he  established  himself  again  among  the  French 
trading  posts  in  Canada.  Here  he  mused  long  upon  the  pet  project  of 
those  ages — a  short  way  to  China  and  the  East,  and  was  busily  planning  an 
expedition  up  the  great  lakes,  and  so  across  the  continent  to  the  Pacific, 
when  Marquette  returned  from  the  Mississippi.  At  once  the  vigorous  mind 
of  LaSalle  received  from  his  and  his  companions'  stories  the  idea  that  by  fol- 
lowing the  Great  River  northward,  or  by  turning  up  some  of  the  numerous 
western  tributaries,  the  object  could  easily  be  gained.  He  applied  to 
Frontenac,  Governor  General  of  Canada,  and  laid  before  him  the  plan, 
dim  but  gigantic.  Frontenac  entered  warmly  into  his  plans,  and  saw  that 
LaSalle's  idea  to  connect  the  great  lakes  by  a  chain  of  forts  with  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  would  bind  the  country  so  wonderfully  togetiier,  give  un- 
measured power  to  France,  and  glory  to  himself,  under  whose  adminis- 
tration he  earnestly  hoped  all  would  be  realized. 

LaSalle  now  repaired  to  France,  laid  his  plans  before  the  King,  who 
warmly  approved  of  them,  and  made  hun  a  Chevalier.  He  also  received 
from  all  the  noblemen  the  warmest  wishes  for  his  success.     The  Chev- 


24 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


alier  returned  to  Canada,  and  busily  entered  upon  his  work.  He  at 
once  rebuilt  Fort  Frontenac  and  constructed  the  first  ship  to  sail  on 
these  fresh-water  seas.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1679,  having  been  joined 
by  Hennepin,  he  began  his  voyage  in  the  GrifiQn  up  Lake  Erie.  He 
passed  over  this  lake,  through  the  straits  beyond,  up  Lake  St.  Clair  and 
into  Huron.  In  this  lake  they  encountered  heavy  storms.  They  were 
some  time  at  Michillimackinac,  where  LaSalle  founded  a  fort,  and  passed 
on  to  Green  Bay,  the  "  Baie  des  Puans"  of  the  French,  where  he  found 
n  large  quantity  of  furs  collected  for  him.  He  loaded  the  GrifiQn  with 
these,  and   placing  her  under  the   care  of  a  pilot  and   fourteen   sailors, 


LA  SALLE   LANDING   ON    THE   SUCRE   OF   GREEN   BAY. 

Started  her  on  her  return  voyage.  The  vessel  was  never  afterward  heard 
of.  He  remainc<l  about  these  parts  until  early  in  the  AVintcr,  when,  hear- 
ing nothing  from  the  Griffin,  he  collected  all  the  men — thirty  working 
men  and  three  monks — and  started  again  upon  his  great  undertaking. 

By  a  short  portage  they  passed  to  the  Illinois  or  Kankakee,  called  by 
the  Indians,  "Theakeke,"  tvulf^  because  of  the  tribes  of  Indians  called 
by  that  name,  commonly  known  as  the  Mahingans,  dwelling  there.  The 
French  pronounced  it  Kiakiki,  which  became  corrupted  to  Kankakee. 
"Falling  down  the  said  river  by  easy  journeys,  the  better  to  observe  the 
country,"  about  the  last  of  December  they  readied  a  village  of  the  Illi- 
nois   Indians,    containing  some   five   hundred    cabins,    but   at   that    moment 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY.  25 

no  inhabitants.  The  Seur  de  LaSalle  being  in  want  of  some  breadstuff's, 
took  advantage  of  the  absence  of  the  Indians  to  help  himself  to  a  suffi- 
ciency of  maize,  large  quantities  of  which  he  found  concealed  in  holes 
under  the  wigwams.  This  village  was  situated  near  the  present  village 
of  Utica  in  LaSalle  County,  Illinois.  The  corn  being  securely  stored, 
the  voyagers  again  betook  themselves  to  the  stream,  and  toward  evening, 
on  the  -Ith  day  of  January,  1680,  they  came  into  a  lake  which  must  have 
been  the  lake  of  Peoria.  This  was  called  by  the  Indians  Pim-i-te-wi,  that 
is,  a  place  where  there  are  many  fat  beasts.  Here  the  natives  were  met 
with  in  large  numbers,  but  they  were  gentle  and  kind,  and  having  spent 
some  time  with  them,  LaSalle  determined  to  erect  another  fort  in  that 
place,  for  he  had  heard  rumors  that  some  of  the  adjoining  tribes  were 
trying  to  disturb  the  good  feeling  which  existed,  and  some  of  his  men 
were  disposed  to  complain,  owing  to  the  hardships  and  perils  of  the  travel. 
He  called  this  fort  "  Crevecoeur'''  (broken-heart),  a  name  expressive  of  the 
very  natural  sorrow  and  anxiety  which  the  pretty  certain  loss  of  his  ship, 
Griffin,  and  his  consequent  impoverishment,  the  danger  of  hostility  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians,  and  of  mutiny  among  his  own  men,  might  well  cause 
him.  His  fears  were  not  entirely  groundless.  At  one  time  poison  was 
placed  in  his  food,  but  fortunately  was  discovered. 

While  building  this  fort,  the  Winter  wore  away,  the  prairies  began  to 
look  green,  and  LaSalle, 'despairing  of  any  reinforcements,  concluded  to 
return  to  Canada,  raise  new  means  and  new  men,  and  embark  anew  in 
the  enterprise.  For  this  purpose  he  made  Hennepin  the  leader  of  a  party 
to  explore  the  head  waters  of  the  Mississippi,  and  he  set  out  on  his  jour- 
ney. This  journey  was  accomplished  with  the  aid  of  a  few  persons,  and 
was  successfully  made,  though  over  an  almost  unknown  route,  and  in  a 
bad  season  of  the  year.  He  safely  reached  Canada,  and  set  out  again  for 
the  object  of  his  search. 

Hennepin  and  his  party  left  Fort  Crevecceur  on  the  last  of  February, 
1680.  When  LaSalle  reached  this  place  on  his  return  expedition,  he 
found  the  fort  entirely  deserted,  and  he  was  obliged  to  return  again  to 
Canada.  He  embarked  the  third  time,  and  succeeded.  Seven  days  after 
leaving  the  fort,  Hennepin  reached  the  Mississippi,  and  paddling  up  the 
icy  stream  as  best  he  could,  reached  no  higher  than  the  Wisconsin  River 
by  the  11th  of  April.  Here  he  and  his  followers  were  taken  prisoners  by  a 
band  of  Northern  Indians,  who  treated  them  with  great  kindness.  Hen- 
nepin's comrades  were  Anthony  Auguel  and  Michael  Ako.  On  this  voy- 
age they  found  several  beautiful  lakes,  and  "  saw  some  charming  prairies." 
Their  captors  were  the  Isaute  or  Sauteurs,  Chippewas,  a  tribe  of  the  Sioux 
nation,  who  took  them  up  the  river  until  about  the  first  of  May,  when 
they  reached  some  falls,  which  Hennepin  christened  Falls  of  St.  Anthony 


26 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 


in  honor  of  his  patron  saint.  Here  they  took  the  land,  and  traveling 
nearly  two  hundred  miles  to  the  northwest,  brought  them  to  their  villages. 
Here  they  were  kept  al)out  three  months,  were  treated  kindly  by  their 
captors,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time,  were  met  by  a  band  of  Frenchmen, 


BUFKAI.O    HUNT. 


headed  by  one  Seur  dc  Luth,  wlio,  in  pursuit  of  trade  and  game,  had  pene- 
trated thus  far  by  the  route  of  Lake  Superior;  and  with  these  fellow- 
countrymen  Hennepin  and  his  companions  wore  allowed  to  return  to  ihe 
borders  of  civilized  life  in  November,  1680,  just  after  LaSalle  had 
returned  to  the  wilderness  on  his  second  trip.  Hennepin  soou  after  went 
to  France,  where  he  published  au  account  of  his  adventures. 


THE   NORTHWEST   TEUIIITORY.  27 

The  Mississippi  was  first  discovered  by  De  Soto  in  April,  1541,  in  his 
vain  endeavor  to  find  gold  and  precious  gems.  In  the  following  Spring, 
De  Soto,  weary  with  hope  long  deferred,  and  worn  out  with  his  wander- 
ings, fell  a  victim  to  disease,  and  on  the  21st  of  May  died.  His  followers, 
reduced  by  fatigue  and  disease  to  less  than  three  hundred  men,  wandered 
about  the  country  nearly  a  year,  in  the  vain  endeavor  to  rescue  them- 
selves by  land,  and  finally  constructed  seven  small  vessels,  called  brig- 
antines,  in  which  they  embarked,  and  descending  the  river,  supposing  it 
would  lead  them  to  the  sea,  in  July  they  came  to  the  sea  (Gulf  of 
Mexico),  and  by  September  reached  the  Island  of  Cuba. 

They  Avere  the  first  to  see  the  great  outlet  of  the  Mississippi;  ])ut, 
being  so  weary  and  discouraged,  made  no  attempt  to  claim  the  country, 
and  hardly  had  an  intelligent  idea  of  what  they  had  passed  through. 

To  La  Salle,  the  intrepid  explorer,  belongs  the  honor  of  giving  the 
first  account  of  the  mouths  of  the  river.  His  great  desire  was  to  possess 
tliis  entire  country  for  his  king,  and  in  January,  1082,  he  and  his  band  of 
explorers  left  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  on  their  ^hird  attempt,  crossed 
^  the  Portage,  passed  down  the  Illinois  River,  and  on  the  Gth  of  February 
reached  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 

On  the  loth  they  commenced  their  downward  course,  which  they 
pursued  with  but  one  interruption,  until  upon  the  Gth  of  March  they  dis- 
covered the  three  great  passages  by  which  the  river  discharges  its  waters 
into  the  gulf.     La  Salle  thus  narrates  the  event : 

"  We  landed  on  the  bank  of  the  most  western  channel,  about  three 
leagues  (nine  miles)  from  its  mouth.  On  the  seventh,  M.  de  La  Salle 
went  to  reconnoiter  the  shores  of  the  neighboring  sea,  and  M.  de  Tonti 
meanwhile  examined  the  great  middle  channel.  They  found  the  main 
outlets  beautiful,  large  and  deep.  On  the  eighth  we  reascended  the  river, 
a  little  above  its  confluence  with  the  sea,  to  find  a  dry  place  beyond  the 
reach  of  inundations.  The  elevation  of  the  North  Pole  was  here  about 
twenty-seven  degrees.  Here  we  prepared  a  column  and  a  cross,  and  to 
the  column  were  affixed  the  arms  oL"  France  with  this  inscription : 

"  Louis  Le  Grand,  Roi  de  France  et  de  Navarre,  regne ;  Lc  neuvieme  April,  1682." 

The  whole  party,  under  arms,  chanted  the  Te  Deum,  and  then,  after 
a  salute  and  cries  of  "  Vive  le  Jloi,'^  the  column  was  erected  by  M.  de 
La  Salle,  who,  standing  near  it,  proclaimed  in  a  loud  voice  the  authority  of 
the  King  of  France.  La  Salle  returned  and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi settlements  in  Illinois ;  thence  he  proceeded  to  France,  where 
another  expedition  was  fitted  out,  of  which  he  was  commander,  and  in  two 
succeeding  voyages  failed  to  find  the  outlet  of  the  river  by  sailing  along 
the  shore  of  the  gulf.     On  the  third  voyage  he  was  killed,  through  the 


28 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


treachery  of  his  followers,  and  the  object  of  his  expeditions  was  not 
accomplished  until  IGOO,  when  D'Iberville,  under  the  authority  of  the 
crown,  discovered,  on  the  second  of  March,  by  way  of  the  sea,  the  mouth 
of  the  "  Hidden  River."  This  majestic  stream  was  called  by  the  natives 
^' JIalbouchia,''    and  by  the  Spaniards,  "  Za  Falissade,''  from  the  great 


TRAPPING. 

number  of  trees  about  its  mouth.  After  traversing  the  several  outlets, 
and  satisfying  himself  as  to  its  certainty,  he  erected  a  fort  near  its  western 
outlet,  and  returned  to  France. 

An  avenue  of  trade  was  now  opened  out  which  was  fully  improved. 
In  1718,  New  Orleans  was  laid  out  and  settled  by  some  European  colo- 
nists. In  17G2,  the  colony  was  made  over  to  Spain,  to  be  regained  by 
France  under  the  consulate  of   Napoleon.     lu   1803,   it  was    purchased   by 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORT.  29 

the  United  States  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  million  dollars,  and  the  territory 
of  Louisiana  and  commerce  of  the  Mississippi  River  came  under  the 
charge  of  the  United  States.  Although  LaSalle's  labors  ended  in  defeat 
and  death,  he  had  not  worked  and  suffered  in  vain.  He  had  thrown 
open  to  France  and  the  world  an  immense  and  most  valuable  country; 
had  established  several  ports,  and  laid  the  foundations  of  more  than  one 
settlement  there.  "  Peoria,  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia,  are  to  this  day  monu- 
ments of  LaSalle's  labors ;  for,  tliough  he  had  founded  neither  of  them 
(unless  Peoria,  which  was  built  nearly  upon  the  site  of  Fort  Crevecoeur,) 
it  was  by  those  whom  he  led  into  the  West  that  these  places  were 
peopled  and  civilized.  He  was,  if  not  the  discoverer,  the  first  settler  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  as  such  deserves  to  be  known  and  honored." 

The  French  early  improved  the  opening  made  for  them.  Before  the 
year  1698,  the  Rev.  Father  Gravier  began  a  mission  among  the  Illinois, 
and  founded  Kaskaskia.  For  some  time  this  was  merely  a  missionary 
station,  where  none  but  natives  resided,  it  being  one  of  three  such  vil- 
lages, the  other  two  being  Cahokia  and  Peoria.  What  is  known  of 
these  missions  is  learned  from  a  letter  written  by  Father  Gabriel  Marest, 
dated  "  Aux  Cascaskias,  autremeut  dit  de  I'lmmaculate  Conception  de 
la  Sainte  Vierge,  le  9  Novembre,  1712."  Soon  after  the  founding  of 
Kaskaskia,  the  missionary,  Pinet,  gathered  a  flock  at  Cahokia,  while 
Peoria  arose  near  the  ruins  of  Fort  Crevecoeur.  This  must  have  been  , 
about  the  year  1700.  The  post  at  Vincennes  on  the  Oubache  river, 
(pronounced  Wa-ba,  meaning  summer  cloud  moving  swiftly)  was  estab- 
lished in  1702,  according  to  the  best  authorities.*  It  is  altogether  prob- 
able that  on  LaSalle's  last  trip  he  established  the  stations  at  Kaskaskia 
and  Cahokia.  In  July,  1701,  the  foundations  of  Fort  Ponchartrain 
were  laid  by  De  la  Motte  Cadillac  on  the  Detroit  River.  These  sta- 
tions, with  those  established  further  north,  were  the  earliest  attempts  to 
occupy  the  Northwest  Territory.  At  the  same  time  efforts  were  being 
made  to  occupy  the  Southwest,  which  finally  culminated  in  the  settle- 
ment and  founding  of  the  City  of  New  Orleans  by  a  colony  from  England 
in  1718.  This  was  mainly  accomplished  through  the  efforts  of  the 
famous  Mississippi  Company,  established  by  the  notorious  John  Law, 
who  so  quickly  arose  into  prominence  in  France,  and  who  with  his 
scheme  so  quickly  and  so  ignominiously  passed  away. 

From  the  time  of  the  founding  of  these  stations  for  fifty  years  the 
French  nation  were  engrossed  with  the  settlement  of  the  lower  Missis- 
sippi, and  the  war  with  the  Chicasaws,  who  had,  in  revenge  for  repeated 

•  There  Is  considerable  dispute  ai)out  this  date,  some  assertlnpr  It  was  founded  as  late  as  1742.  When 
the  new  court  house  at  Vincennes  was  erected,  all  authorities  on  the  subject  were  carefully  examined,  and 
1702  fixed  upon  as  the  correct  date.    It  was  accordingly  engraved  on  the  corner-stone  of  the  court  house. 


30  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

injuries,  cut  off  the  entire  colony  at  Natchez.  Although  the  company- 
did  little  for  Louisiana,  as  the  entire  West  was  then  called,  yet  it  opened 
the  trade  through  the  Mississippi  River,  and  started  the  raising  of  grains 
indigenous  to  that  climate.  Until  the  year  1750,  but  little  is  known  of 
the  settlements  in  the  Northwest,  as  it  was  not  until  this  time  that  the 
attention  of  the  English  was  called  to  the  occupation  of  this  portion  of  the 
New  World,  which  they  then  supposed  they  owned.  Vivier,  a  missionary 
among  the  Illinois,  writing  from  "  Aux  Illinois,"  six  leagues  from  Fort 
Chartres,  June  8,  1750,  says :  "  We  have  here  whites,  negroes  and 
Indians,  to  say  nothing  of  cross-breeds.  There  are  five  French  villages, 
and  three  villages  of  the  natives,  within  a  space  of  twenty-one  leagues 
situated  between  the  Mississippi  and  another  river  called  the  Karkadaid 
(Kaskaskias).  In  the  five  French  villages  are,  perhaps,  eleven  hundred 
whites,  three  hundred  blacks  and  some  sixty  red  slaves  or  savages.  The 
three  Illinois  towns  do  not  contain  more  than  eight  hundred  souls  all 
Id.  Most  of  the  French  till  the  soil;  they  raise  wheat,  cattle,  pigs  and 
horses,  and  live  like  princes.  Three  times  as  much  is  produced  as  can 
be  consumed ;  and  great  quantities  of  grain  and  flour  are  sent  to  New 
Orleans.'"  This  city  was  now  the  seaport  town  of  the  Northwest,  and 
save  in  the  extreme  northern  part,  where  only  furs  and  copper  ore  were 
found,  almost  all  the  products  of  the  country  found  their  M^ay  to  France 
by  the  mouth  of  the  Father  of  Waters.  In  another  letter,  dated  Novem- 
ber 7,  1750,  this  same  priest  says :  "  For  fifteen  leagues  above  the 
mouth  of  tlie  Mississippi  one  sees  no  dwellings,  the  ground  being  too  low 
to  be  habitable.  Thence  to  New  Orleans,  the  lands  are  only  partially 
occupied.  New  Orleans  contains  black,  white  and  red,  not  more,  I 
think,  than  twelve  hundred  persons.  To  this  point  come  all  lumber, 
bricks,  salt-beef,  tallow,  tar,  skins  and  bear's  grease  ;  and  above  all,  pork 
and  flour  from  the  Illinois.  These  things  create  some  commerce,  as  forty 
vessels  and  more  have  come  hither  this  year.  Above  New  Orleans, 
plantations  are  again  met  with ;  the  most  considerable  is  a  colony  of 
Germans,  some  ten  leagues  up  the  river.  At  Poink  Coupee,  thirty-five 
leagues  above  the  German  settlement,  is  a  fort.  Along  here,  within  five 
or  six  leagues,  are  not  less  than  sixty  habitations.  Fifty  leagues  farther 
up  is  the  Natchez  post,  where  we  have  a  garrison,  who  are  kept  prisoners 
through  fear  of  the  Chickasaws.  Here  and  at  Point  Coupee,  they  raise 
excellent  tobacco.  Another  hundred  leagues  brings  us  to  the  Arkansas, 
where  we  have  also  a  fort  and  a  garrison  for  the  benefit  of  the  river 
traders.  *  *  *  From  the  Arkansas  to  the  Illinois,  nearly  five  hundred 
leagues,  there  is  not  a  settlement.  There  should  be,  however,  a  fort  at 
the  Oubache  (Ohio),  the  only  path  by  which  the  English  can  reach  the 
Mississippi.     In  the  Illinois  country  are  numberless  mines,  but  no  one  to 


THE    NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


31 


work  them  as  they  deserve."  Father  Marest,  writing  from  the  post  at 
Vincennesin  1812,  makes  the  same  observation.  Vivier  also  says  :  "  Some 
individuals  dig  lead  near  the  surface  and  supply  the  Indians  and  Canada. 
Two  Spaniards  now  here,  who  claim  to  be  adepts,  say  that  our  mines  are 
like  those  of  Mexico,  and  that  if  we  would  dig  deeper,  we  should  find 
silver  under  the  lead  ;  and  at  any  rate  the  lead  is  excellent.  Tliere  is  also 
in  this  country,  beyond  doubt,  copper  ore,  as  from  time  to  time  large 
pieces  are  found  in  the  streams." 


MOUTH   OF   TUE   MISSISSIPPI. 


At  the  close  of  the  year  1750,  the  French  occupied,  in  addition  to  the 
lower  Mississippi  posts  and  those  in  Illinois,  one  at  Du  Quesne,  one  at 
the  Maumee  in  the  country  of  the  Miamis,  and  one  at  Sandusky  in  what 
may  be  termed  the  Ohio  Valley.  In  the  northern  part  of  the  Northwest 
they  had  stations  at  St.  Joseph's  on  the  St.  Joseph's  of  Lake  Michigan, 
at  Fort  Ponchartrain  (Detroit),  at  Michillimackanac  or  Massillimacanac, 
Fox  River  of  Green  Bay,  and  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  The  fondest  dreams  of 
LaSalle  were  now  fully  realized.  The  French  alone  were  possessors  of 
this  vast  realm,  basing  their  claim  on  discovery  and  settlement.  Another 
nation,  however,  was  now  turning  its  attention  to  this  extensive  country, 


32  THE   NORTHWEST   TEREITORV. 

and  hearing  of  its  wealth,  began  to  lay  plans  for  occupying  it  and  for 
securing  the  great  profits  arising  therefrom. 

The  French,  however,  had  another  claim  to  this  country,  namely,  the 


DISCOVERY   OF  THE   OHIO. 

This  "  Beautiful "  river  was  discovered  by  Robert  Cavalier  de  La- 
Salle  in  1669,  four  years  before  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  by  Joliet 
and  Marquette. 

While  LaSalle  was  at  his  trading  post  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  he  found 
leisure  to  study  nine  Indian  dialects,  the  chief  of  which  was  the  Iroquois. 
He  not  only  desired  to  facilitate  his  intercourse  in  trade,  but  he  longed 
to  travel  and  explore  the  unknown  regions  of  the  West.  An  incident 
soon  occurred  which  decided  him  to  fit  out  an  exploring  expedition. 

While  conversing  with  some  Senecas,  he  learned  of  a  river  called  the 
Ohio,  which  rose  in  their  country  and  flowed  to  the  sea,  but  at  such  a 
distance  that  it  required  eight  months  to  reach  its  mouth.  In  this  state- 
ment the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  were  considered  as  one  stream. 
LaSalle  believing,  as  most  of  the  French  at  that  period  did,  that  the  great 
rivers  flowing  west  emptied  into  the  Sea  of  California,  was  anxious  to 
embark  in  the  enterprise  of  discovering  a  route  across  the  continent  to 
the  commerce  of  China  and  Japan. 

He  repaired  at  once  to  Quebec  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  Gov- 
ernor. His  eloquent  appeal  prevailed.  The  Governor  and  the  Intendant, 
Talon,  issued  letters  patent  authorizing  the  enterprise,  but  made  no  pro- 
vision to  defray  the  expenses.  At  this  juncture  the  seminary  of  St.  Sul- 
pice  decided  to  send  out  missionaries  in  connection  with  the  expedition, 
and  LaSalle  offering  to  sell  his  improvements  at  LaChine  to  raise  money, 
the  offer  was  accepted  by  the  Superior,  and  two  thousand  eight  hundred 
dollars  were  raised,  with  which  LaSalle  purchased  four  canoes  and  the 
necessary  supplies  for  the  outfit. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  1669,  the  party,  numbering  twenty-four  persons, 
embarked  in  seven  canoes  on  the  St.  Lawrence ;  two  additional  canoes 
carried  the  Indian  guides.  In  three  days  they  were  gliding  over  the 
bosom  of  Lake  Ontario.  Their  guides  conducted  them  directly  to  the 
Seneca  village  on  the  bank  of  the  Genesee,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present 
City  of  Rochester,  New  York.  Here  they  expected  to  procure  guides  to 
conduct  them  to  the  Ohio,  but  in  this  they  were  disappointed. 

The  Indians  seemed  unfriendly  to  the  enterprise.  LaSalle  suspected 
that  the  Jesuits  had  prejudiced  their  minds  against  his  plans.  After 
waiting  a  month  in  the  hope  of  gaining  their  object,  they  met  an  Indian 


THE   NORTHWEST    TERRITORY. 


33 


from  the  Iroquois  colony  at  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario,  who  assured  them 
that  they  could  there  find  guides,  and  offered  to  conduct  them  thence. 

On  their  way  they  passed  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara  River,  when  they 
heard  for  the  first  time  the  distant  thunder  of  the  cataract. 


Arriving 


lUGII  BRIDGE,  LAKE  BLUFF,  LAKE  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


among  the  Iroquois,  they  met  with  a  friendly  reception,  and  learned 
from  a  Shawanee  prisoner  that  they  could  reach  the  Ohio  in  six  weeks. 
Delighted  with  the  unexpected  good  fortune,  they  made  ready  to  resume 
their  journey  ;  but  just  as  they  were  about  to  start  they  heard  of  the 
arrival  of  two  Frenchmen  in  a  neighboring  village.  One  of  them  proved 
to  be  Louis  Joliet,   afterwards  famous  as  an  explorer  in  the  West.     He 


34  THE   NORTH^VEST   TERRITORY. 

had  been  sent  by  the  Canadian  Government  to  explore  the  copper  mines 
on  Lake  Superior,  but  had  failed,  and  was  on  his  way  back  to  Quebec. 
He  gave  the  missionaries  a  map  of  the  country  he  had  explored  in  the 
lake  region,  together  with  an  account  of  the  condition  of  the  Jndians  in 
that  quarter.  This  induced  the  priests  to  determine  on  leaving  the 
expedition  and  going  to  Lake  Superior.  LaSalle  warned  them  that  the 
Jesuits  were  probably  occupying  that  field,  and  that  they  would  meet 
with  a  cold  reception.  Nevertheless  they  persisted  in  their  purpose,  and 
after  worship  on  the  lake  shore,  parted  from  LaSalle.  On  arriving  at 
Lake  Superior,  they  found,  as  LaSalle  had  predicted,  the  Jesuit  Fathers, 
Marquette  and  Dablon,  occupying  the  field. 

These  zealoiis  disciples  of  Loyola  informed  them  that  they  wanted 
no  assistance  from  St.  Sulpice,  nor  from  those  who  made  him  their  patron 
saint ;  and  thus  repulsed,  they  returned  to  Montreal  the  following  June 
without  having  made  a  single  discovery  or  converted  a  single  Indian. 

After  parting  with  the  priests,  LaSalle  went  to  the  chief  Iroquois 
village  at  Onondaga,  where  he  obtained  guides,  and  passing  thence  to  a 
tributary  of  the  Ohio  south  of  Lake  Erie,  he  descended  the  latter  as  far 
as  the  falls  at  Louisville.  Thus  was  the  Ohio  discovered  bv  LaSalle,  the 
persevering  and  successful  French  explorer  of  the  West,  in  1669. 

The  account  of  the  latter  part  of  his  journey  is  found  in  an  anony- 
mous paper,  which  purports  to  have  been  taken  from  the  lips  of  LaSalle 
himself  during  a  subsequent  visit  to  Paris.  In  a  letter  written  to  Count 
Frontenac  in  1667,  shortly  after  the  discovery,  he  himself  says  that  he 
discovered  the  Ohio  and  descended  it  to  the  falls.  This  was  regarded  as 
an  indisputable  fact  by  the  French  authorities,  who  claimed  the  Ohio 
Valley  upon  another  ground.  When  Washington  was  sent  by  the  colony 
of  Virginia  in  1753,  to  demand  of  Gordeur  de  St.  Pierre  why  the  French 
had  built  a  fort  on  the  Monongahela,  the  haughty  commandant  at  Quebec 
replied:  "We  claim  the  country  on  the  Ohio  by  virtue  of  the  discoveries 
of  LaSalle,  and  will  not  give  it  up  to  the  English.  Our  orders  are  to 
make  prisoners  of  every  Englishman  found  trading  in  the  Ohio  Valley." 

ENGLISH  EXPLORATIONS  AND  SETTLEMENTS. 

When  the  new  year  of  1750  broke  in  upon  the  Father  of  Waters 
and  the  Great  Northwest,  all  was  still  wild  save  at  the  French  posts 
already  described.  In  1749,  when  the  English  first  began  to  think  seri- 
ously about  sending  men  into  the  West,  the  greater  portion  of  the  States 
of  Indiana,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  Minnesota  were  yet 
under  the  dominion  of  the  red  men.    The  English  knew,  however,  pretty 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  35 

conclusively  of  the  nature  of  the  wealth  of  these  wilds.  As  early  as 
1710,  Governor  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  had  commenced  movements  to 
secure  the  country  west  of  the  Alleghenies  to  the  English  crown.  In 
Pennsylvania,  Governor  Keitli  and  James  Logan,  secretary  of  the  prov- 
ince, from  1719  to  1731,  represented  to  the  powers  of  England  the  neces- 
sity of  securing  the  Western  lands.  Nothing  was  done,  however,  by  that 
power  save  to  take  some  diplomatic  steps  to  secure  the  claims  of  Britain 
to  this  unexplored  wilderness. 

England  had  from  the  outset  claimed  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 
on  the  ground  that  the  discovery  of  the  seacoast  and  its  possession  was  a 
discovery  and  possession  of  the  country,  and,  as  is  well  known,  her  grants 
to  the  colonies  extended  "  from  sea  to  sea."  This  was  not  all  her  claim. 
She  had  purchased  from  the  Indian  tribes  large  tracts  of  land.  Tliis  lat- 
ter was  also  a  strong  argument.  As  early  as  1684,  Lord  H  oward.  Gov- 
ernor of  Virginia,  held  a  treaty  with  the  six  nations.  These  were  the 
great  Northern  Confederacy,  and  comprised  at  first  the  Mohawks,  Onei- 
das,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  and  Senecas.  Afterward  the  Tuscaroras  were 
taken  into  the  confederacy,  and  it  became  known  as  the  Six  Nations. 
They  came  under  the  protection  of  the  mother  country,  and  again  in 
1701,  they  repeated  the  agreement,  and  in  September,  1726,  a  formal  deed 
was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  chiefs.  The  validity  of  this  claim  has 
often  been  disputed,  but  never  successfully.  In  1744,  a  purchase  was 
made  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  of  certain  lands  within  the  "  Colony  of 
Virginia,"  for  which  the  Indians  received  £200  in  gold  and  a  like  sum  in 
goods,  with  a  promise  that,  as  settlements  increased,  more  should  be  paid. 
The  Commissioners  from  Virginia  were  Colonel  Thomas  Lee  and  Colonel 
William  Beverly.  As  settlements  extended,  the  promise  of  more  pay  was 
called  to  mind,  and  Mr.  Conrad  Weiser  was  sent  across  the  mountains  with 
presents  to  appease  the  savages.  Col.  Lee,  and  some  Virginians  accompa- 
nied him  with  the  intention  of  sounding  the  Indians  upon  their  feelings 
regarding  the  English.  They  were  not  satisfied  with  their  treatment, 
and  plainly  told  the  Commissioners  why.  The  English  did  not  desire  the 
cultivation  of  the  country,  but  the  monopoly  of  the  Indian  trade.  In 
1748,  the  Ohio  Company  was  formed,  and  petitioned  the  king  for  a  grant 
of  land  beyond  the  Alleghenies.  This  was  granted,  and  the  government 
of  Virginia  was  ordered  to  grant  to  them  a  half  million  acres,  two  hun- 
dred thousand  of  which  were  to  be  located  at  once.  Upon  the  12th  of 
June,  1749,  800,000  acres  from  the  line  of  Canada  north  and  west  was 
made  to  the  Loyal  Company,  and  on  the  29th  of  October,  1751,  100,000 
acres  were  given  to  the  Greenbriar  Company.  All  this  time  the  French 
were  not  idle.  They  saw  that,  should  the  British  gain  a  foothold  in  the 
West,  especially  upon  the  Ohio,  they  might  not  only  prevent  the  French 


36  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

settling  upon  it,  but  in  time  would  come  to  the  lower  posts  and  so  gain 
possession  of  the  whole  country.  Upon  the  10th  of  May,  1774,  Vaud- 
reuil.  Governor  of  C0,nada  and  the  French  possessions,  well  knowing  the 
consequences  that  must  arise  from  allowing  the  English  to  build  trading 
posts  in  the  Northwest,  seized  some  of  their  frontier  posts,  and  to  further 
secure  the  claim  of  the  French  to  the  West,  he,  in  1749,  sent  Louis  Cel- 
eron with  a  party  of  soldiers  to  plant  along  the  Ohio  River,  in  the  mounds 
and  at  the  mouths  of  its  principal  tributaries,  plates  of  lead,  on  which 
were  inscribed  the  claims  of  France.  These  were  heard  of  in  1752,  and 
within  the  memory  of  residents  now  living  along  the  "  Oyo,"  as  the 
beautiful  river  was  called  by  the  French.  One  of  these  plates  was  found 
with  the  inscription  partly  defaced.  It  bears  date  August  16,  1749,  and 
a  copy  of  the  inscription  with  particular  account  of  the  discovery  of  the 
plate,  was  sent  by  DeWitt  Clinton  to  the  American  Antiquarian  Society, 
among  whose  journals  it  may  now  be  found.*  These  measures  did  not, 
however,  deter  the  English  from  going  on  with  their  explorations,  and 
though  neither  party  resorted  to  arms,  yet  the  conflict  was  gathering,  and 
it  was  only  a  question  of  time  when  the  storm  would  burst  upon  the 
frontier  settlements.  In  1750,  Christopher  Gist  was  sent  by  the  Ohio 
Company  to  examine  its  lands.  He  went  to  a  village  of  the  Twigtwees, 
on  the  Miami,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  above  its  mouth.  He 
afterward  spoke  of  it  as  very  populous.  From  there  he  went  down 
the  Ohio  River  nearly  to  the  falls  at  the  present  City  of  Louisville, 
and  in  November  he  commenced  a  survey  of  the  Company's  lands.  Dur- 
ing the  Winter,  General  Andrew  Lewis  performed  a  similar  work  for  the 
Greenbriar  Company.  Meanwhile  the  French  were  busy  in  preparing 
their  forts  for  defense,  and  in  opening  roads,  and  also  sent  a  small  party 
of  soldiers  to  keep  the  Ohio  clear.  This  party,  having  heard  of  the  Eng- 
lish post  on  the  Miami  River,  early  in  1652,  assisted  by  the  Ottawas  and 
Chippewas,  attacked  it,  and,  after  a  severe  battle,  in  which  fourteen  of 
the  natives  were  killed  and  others  wounded,  captured  the  garrison. 
(They  were  probably  garrisoned  in  a  block  house).  The  traders  were 
carried  away  to  Canada,  and  one  account  says  several  were  burned.  This 
fort  or  post  was  called  by  the  English  Fickawillany.  A  memorial  of  the 
king's  ministers  refers  to  it  as  ''  Pickawillaues,  in  the  center  of  the  terri- 
tory between  the  Ohio  and  the  Wabash.  The  name  is  probably  some 
variation  of  Pickaway  or  Picqua  in  1773,  written  by  Rev.  David  Jones 
Pickaweke." 

•  The  followInK  Is  a  translation  of  the  Inscription  on  the  plate:  "In  the  year  1749.  reign  of  Louis  XV., 
Kliiguf  France,  we,  CeliMon,  coninianilant  of  a  lU'tachnicnt  by  Monsieur  the  Marquis  of  Galllsonlere,  com- 
uiantU'r-lii-('liU-(  of  Ni'W  Kranco,  to  establish  traiiqulllty  In  certain  Indian  villages  of  these  cantons,  have 
burled  this  plate  at  the  conlluence  of  the  Toradakoln,  this  twenty-ninth  of  July,  near  tlie  river  Ohio,  otherwise 
Beautiful  Ulvw,  as  a  monument  of  renewal  of  possession  which  we  have  taken'of  the  said  river,  and  all  Its 
tributaries;  Inasniucli  as  the  preceding  Kings  of  France  have  enjoyed  It,  and  maiutalucd  It  by  tlmir  arms  and 
treaties;  especially  by  tboae  of  Kyswick,  Utrecht,  and  Alx  La  Cbapelle.'* 


THE  NORTHWEST   TERRITORY-  37 

This  was  the  first  blood  shed  between  the  French  and  English,  and 
occurred  near  the  present  City  of  Piqua,  Ohio,  or  at  least  at  a  point  about 
forty-seven  miles  north  of  Dayton.  Each  nation  became  now  more  inter- 
ested in  the  progress  of  events  in  the  Northwest.  The  English  deter- 
mined to  purchase  from  the  Indians  a  title  to  the  lands  they  wished  to 
occupy,  and  Messrs.  Fry  (afterward  Commander-in-chief  over  Washing- 
ton at  the  commencement  of  the  French  War  of  1775-1763),  Lomax  and 
Patton  were  sent  in  the  Spring  of  1752  to  hold  a  conference  with  the 
natives  at  Logstown  to  learn  what  they  objected  to  in  the  treaty  of  Lan- 
caster already  noticed,  and  to  settle  all  difficulties.  On  the  9th  of  June, 
these  Commissioners  met  the  red  men  at  Logstown,  a  little  village  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Ohio,  about  seventeen  miles  below  the  site  of  Pitts- 
burgh. Here  had  been  a  trading  point  for  many  years,  but  it  was  aban- 
doned by  the  Indians  in  1750.  At  first  the  Indians  declined  to  recognize 
the  treaty  of  Lancaster,  but,  the  Commissioners  taking  aside  Montour, 
the  interpreter,  who  was  a  son  of  the  famous  Catharine  Montour,  and  a 
chief  among  the  six  nations,  induced  him  to  use  his  influence  in  their 
favor.  This  he  did,  and  upon  the  13th  of  June  they  all  united  in  signing 
a  deed,  confirming  the  Lancaster  treaty  in  its  full  extent,  consenting  to  a 
settlement  of  the  southeast  of  the  Ohio,  and  guaranteeing  that  it  should 
not  be  disturbed  by  them.  These  were  the  means  used  to  obtain  the  first 
treaty  with  the  Indians  in  the  Ohio  Valley. 

Meanwhile  the  powers  beyond  the  sea  were  trying  to  out-manoeuvre 
each  other,  and  were  professing  to  be  at  peace.  The  English  generally 
outwitted  the  Indians,  and  failed  in  many  instances  to  fulfill  their  con- 
tracts. They  thereby  gained  the  ill-will  of  the  red  men,  and  further 
increased  the  feeling  by  failing  to  provide  them  with  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion. Said  an  old  chief,  at  Easton,  in  1758 :  "  The  Indians  on  the  Ohio 
left  you  because  of  your  own  fault.  When  we  heard  the  French  were 
coming,  we  asked  you  for  help  and  arms,  but  we  did  not  get  them.  The 
French  came,  they  treated  us  kindly,  and  gained  our  affections.  The 
Governor  of  Virginia  settled  on  our  lands  for  his  own  benefit,  and,  when 
we  wanted  help,  forsook  us." 

At  the  beginning  of  1653,  the  English  thought  they  had  secured  by 
title  the  lands  in  the  West,  but  the  French  had  quietly  gathered  cannon 
and  military  stores  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  expected  blow.  The  Eng- 
lish made  other  attempts  to  ratify  these  existing  treaties,  but  not  until 
the  Summer  could  the  Indians  be  gathered  together  to  discuss  the  plans 
of  the  French.  They  had  sent  messages  to  the  French,  warning  them 
away  ;  but  they  replied  that  they  intended  to  complete  the  chain  of  forts 
already  begun,  and  would  not  abandon  the  field. 

Soon  after  this,  no  satisfaction  being  obtained  from  the  Ohio  regard- 


38  THE    NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

ing  the  positions  and  purposes  of  the  French,  Governor  Dinwiddie  of 
Virginia  determined  to  send  to  them  another  messenger  and  learn  from 
them,  if  possible,  their  intentions.  For  this  purpose  he  selected  a  young 
man,  a  surveyor,  who,  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen,  had  received  the  rank 
of  major,  and  who  was  thoroughly  posted  regarding  frontier  life.  This 
personage  was  no  other  than  the  illustrious  George  Washington,  who  then 
held  considerable  interest  in  Western  lands.  He  was  at  this  time  just 
twenty-two  years  of  age.  Taking  Gist  as  his  guide,  the  two,  accompanied 
by  four  servitors,  set  out  on  their  perilous  march.  They  left  Will's 
Creek  on  the  10th  of  November,  1753,  and  on  the  22d  reached  the  Monon- 
gahela,  about  ten  miles  above  the  fork.  From  there  they  went  to 
Logstown,  where  Washington  had  a  long  conference  with  the  chiefs  of 
the  Six  Nations.  From  them  he  learned  the  condition  of  the  French,  and 
also  heard  of  their  determination  not  to  come  down  the  river  till  the  fol- 
lowing Spring.  The  Indians  were  non-committal,  as  they  were  afraid  to 
turn  either  way,  and,  as  far  as  they  could,  desired  to  remain  neutral. 
Washington,  finding  nothing  could  be  done  with  them,  went  on  to 
Venango,  an  old  Indian  town  at  the  mouth  of  French  Creek.  Here  the 
French  had  a  fort,  called  Fort  Machault,  Through  the  rum  and  flattery 
of  the  French,  he  nearly  lost  all  his  Indian  followers.  Finding  nothing 
of  importance  here,  he  pursued  his  way  amid  great  privations,  and  on  the 
11th  of  December  reached  the  fort  at  the  head  of  French  Creek.  Here 
he  delivered  Governor  Dinwiddie's  letter,  received  his  answer,  took  his 
observations,  and  on  the  16th  set  out  upon  his  return  journey  Avith  no  one 
but  Gist,  his  guide,  and  a  few  Indians  who  still  remained  true  to  him, 
notwithstanding  the  endeavors  of  the  French  to  retain  them.  Their 
homeward  journey  was  one  of  great  peril  and  suffering  from  the  cold,  yet 
they  reached  home  in  safety  on  the  6th  of  January,  1754. 

From  the  letter  of  St.  Pierre,  commander  of  the  French  fort,  sent  by 
Washington  to  Governor  Dinwiddie,  it  was  learned  that  the  French  would 
not  give  up  without  a  struggle.  Active  preparations  were  at  once  made 
in  all  the  English  colonies  for  the  coming  conflict,  while  the  French 
finished  the  fort  at  Venango  and  strengthened  their  lines  of  fortifications, 
and  gathered  their  forces  to  be  in  readiness. 

The  Old  Dominion  was  all  alive.  Virginia  was  the  center  of  great 
activities  ;  volunteers  were  called  for,  and  from  all  the  neighboring 
colonies  men  rallied  to  the  conflict,  and  everywliere  along  the  Potomac 
men  were  enlisting  under  the  Governor's  proclamation — which  promised 
two  hundred  thousand  acres  on  the  Ohio.  Along  this  river  they  were 
gathering  as  far  as  Will's  Creek,  and  far  beyond  this  point,  whither  Trent 
had  come  for  assistance  for  his  little  band  of  forty-one  men,  who  were 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERUITORY.  39 

working  away  in  hunger  and  want,  to  fortify  that  point  at  the  fork  of 
the  Ohio,  to  which  both  parties  were  looking  with  deep  interest. 

"  The  first  birds  of  Spring  filled  the  air  with  their  song ;  tlie  swift 
river  rolled  by  the  Allegheny  hillsides,  swollen  by  the  melting  snows  of 
Spring  and  the  April  showers.  The  leaves  were  appearing  ;  a  few  Indian 
scouts  were  seen,  but  no  enemy  seemed  near  at  hand  ;  and  all  was  so  quiet, 
that  Frazier,  an  old  Indian  scout  and  trader,  who  had  been  left  by  Trent 
in  command,  ventured  to  his  home  at  the  mouth  of  Turtle  Creek,  ten 
miles  up  the  Monongahela.  But,  though  all  was  so  quiet  in  that  wilder- 
ness, keen  eves  had  seen  the  low  intrencliment  risiuix  at  the  fork,  and 
swift  feet  had  borne  the  news  of  it  up  the  river  ;  and  upon  the  morning 
of  the  17th  of  April,  Ensign  Ward,  who  then  had  charge  of  it,  saw 
upon  the  Allegheny  a  sight  that  made  his  heart  sink — sixty  batteaux  and 
three  hundred  canoes  filled  with  men,  and  laden  deep  with  cannon  and 
stores.  *  *  *  That  evening  he  supped  with  his  captor,  Contrecoeur, 
and  the  next  da}^  he  was  bowed  off  by  the  Frenchman,  and  with  his  men 
and  tools,  marched  up  the  Monongahela." 

The  French  and  Indian  war  had  begun.  The  treaty  of  Aix  la 
Chapelle,  in  1748,  had  left  the  boundaries  between  the  French  and 
English  possessions  unsettled,  and  the  events  already  narrated  show  the 
French  Avere  determined  to  hold  the  country  watered  by  the  Mississippi 
and  its  tributaries  ;  while  the  English  laid  claims  to  the  country  by  virtue 
of  the  discoveries  of  the  Cabots,  and  claimed  all  the  country  from  New- 
foundland to  Florida,  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  The 
first  decisive  blow  had  now  been  struck,  and  the  first  attempt  of  the 
English,  through  the  Ohio  Company,  to  occupy  these  lands,  had  resulted 
disastrously  to  them.  The  French  and  Indians  immediately  completed 
the  fortifications  begun  at  the  Fork,  which  they  had  so  easily  captured, 
and  when  completed  gave  to  the  fort  the  name  of  DuQuesne.  Washing- 
ton was  at  Will's  Creek  when  the  news  of  the  capture  of  the  fort  arrived. 
He  at  once  departed  to  recapture  it.  On  his  way  he  entrenched  him- 
self at  a  place  called  the  "•  Meadows,"  where  he  erected  a  fort  called 
by  him  Fort  Necessity.  From  there  he  surprised  and  captured  a  force  of 
French  and  Indians  marching  against  him,  but  was  soon  after  attacked 
in  his  fort  by  a  much  superior  force,  and  was  obliged  to  yield  on  the 
morning  of  July  4th.     He  was  allowed  to  return  to  Virginia. 

The  English  Government  immediately  planned  four  campaigns  ;  one 
against  Fort  DuQuesne ;  one  against  Nova  Scotia  ;  one  against  Fort 
Niagara,  and  one  against  Crown  Point.  These  occurred  during  1755-6, 
and  were  not  successful  in  driving  the  French  from  their  possessions. 
The  expedition  against  Fort  DuQuesne  was  led  by  the  famous  General 
Braddock,  who,  refusing  to  listen  to  the  advice  of  Washington  and  those 


40  THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 

acquainted  with  Indian  warfare,  suffered  such  an  inglorious  defeat.  This 
occurred  on  the  morning  of  July  9th,  and  is  generally  known  as  the  battle 
of  Mouongahela,  or  "  Braddock's  Defeat."  The  war  continued  with 
various  vicissitudes  through  the  years  1756-7  ;  when,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  1758,  in  accordance  Avith  the  plans  of  William  Pitt,  then  Secre- 
tary of  State,  afterwards  Lord  Chatham,  active  preparations  were  made  to 
carry  on  the  war.  Three  expeditions  were  planned  for  this  year :  one, 
under  General  Amherst,  against  Louisburg  ;  another,  under  Abercrombie, 
against  Fort  Ticonderoga  ;  and  a  third,  under  General  Forbes,  against 
Fort  DuQuesne.  On  the  26th  of  July,  Louisburg  surrendered  after  a 
desperate  resistance  of  more  than  forty  days,  and  the  eastern  part  of  the 
Canadian  possessions  fell  into  the  liands  of  the  British.  Abercrombie 
captured  Fort  Frontenac,  and  when  the  expedition  against  Fort  DuQuesne, 
of  which  Washington  had  the  active  command,  arrived  there,  it  was 
found  in  flames  and  deserted.  The  English  at  once  took  possession, 
rebuilt  the  fort,  and  in  honor  of  their  illustrious  statesman,  changed  the 
name  to  Fort  Pitt. 

The  great  object  of  the  campaign  of  1759,  was  the  reduction  of 
Canada.  General  Wolfe  was  to  lay  siege  to  Quebec  ;  Amherst  was  to 
reduce  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  General  Prideaux  was  to 
capture  Niagara.  This  latter  place  was  taken  in  July,  but  the  gallant 
Prideaux  lost  his  life  in  the  attempt,  Amherst  captured  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point  without  a  blow  ;  and  Wolfe,  after  making  the  memor- 
able ascent  to  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  on  September  13th,  defeated 
Montcalm,  and  on  the  18th,  the  city  capitulated.  In  this  engagement 
Montcolm  and  Wolfe  both  lost  their  lives.  De  Levi,  Montcalm's  successor, 
marched  to  Sillery,  three  miles  above  the  city,  with  the  purpose  of 
defeating  the  English,  and  there,  on  the  28th  of  the  following  April,  was 
fousfht  one  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  French  and  Indian  War.  It 
resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  French,  and  the  fall  of  the  City  of  Montreal. 
The  Governor  signed  a  capitulation  by  which  the  whole  of  Canada  was 
surrendered  to  the  English.  This  practically  concluded  the  war,  but  it 
was  not  until  1763  that  the  treaties  of  peace  between  France  and  England 
were  signed.  This  was  done  on  the  10th  of  February  of  that  year,  and 
under  its  provisions  all  the  country  east  of  the  Mississippi  and  north  of 
the  Iberville  River,  in  Louisiana,  were  ceded  to  England.  At  the  same 
time  Spain  ceded  Florida  to  Great  Britain. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  1760,  Major  Robert  Rogers  was  sent 
from  Montreal  to  take  charge  of  Detroit,  the  only  remaining  French  post 
in  the  territory.  He  arrived  there  on  the  19th  of  'November,  and  sum- 
moned the  place  to  surrender.  At  first  the  commander  of  the  post, 
Beletre,  refused,  but  on  the  2'Jth,  hearing  of  the  continued  defeat  of  the 


THE  NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  41 

French  arms,  surrendered.  Rogers  remained  there  until  December  23d 
under  the  personal  protection  of  the  celebrated  chief,  Pontiac,  to  whom, 
no  doubt,  he  owed  his  safety.  Pontiac  had  come  here  to  inquire  the 
purposes  of  the  English  in  taking  possession  of  the  country.  He  was 
assured  that  they  came  simply  to  trade  with  the  natives,  and  did  not 
desire  their  country.  This  answer  conciliated  tlie  savages,  and  did  much 
to  insure  the  safety  of  Rogers  and  his  party  during  their  stay,  and  while 
on  tlieir  journey  home. 

Rogers  set  out  for  Fort  Pitt  on  December  23,  and  was  just  one 
month  on  the  way.  His  route  was  from  Detroit  to  Maumee,  thence 
across  the  present  State  of  Ohio  directly  to  the  fort.  This  was  the  com- 
mon trail  of  the  Indians  in  their  journeys  from  Sandusky  to  the  fork  of 
the  Ohio.  It  went  from  Fort  Sandusky,  where  Sandusky  City  now  is, 
crossed  the  Huron  river,  then  called  Bald  Eagle  Creek,  to  "  Mohickon 
John's  Town"  on  Mohickon  Creek,  the  northern  branch  of  White 
Woman's  River,  and  thence  crossed  to  Beaver's  Town,  a  Delaware  town 
on  what  is  now  Sandy  Creek.  At  Beaver's  Town  were  probably  one 
hundred  and  fifty  warriors,  and  not  less  than  three  thousand  acres  of 
cleared  land.  From  there  the  track  went  up  Sandy  Creek  to  and  across 
Big  Beaver,  and  up  the  Ohio  to  Logstown,  thence  on  to  the  fork. 

The  Northwest  Territory  was  now  entirely  under  the  English  rule. 
New  settlements  began  to  be  rapidly  made,  and  the  promise  of  a  large 
trade  was  speedily  manifested.  Had  the  British  carried  out  their  promises 
with  the  natives  none  of  those  savage  butcheries  would  have  been  perpe- 
trated, and  the  country  would  have  been  spared  their  recital. 

The  renowned  chief,  Pontiac,  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  these 
atrocities.  We  will  now  pause  in  our  narrative,  and  notice  the  leading 
events  in  his  life.  The  earliest  authentic  information  regarding  this 
noted  Indian  chief  is  learned  from  an  account  of  an  Indian  trader  named 
Alexander  Henry,  who,  in  the  Spring  of  1761,  penetrated  his  domains  as 
far  as  Missillimacnac.  Pontiac  was  then  a  great  friend  of  the  French, 
but  a  bitter  foe  of  the  English,  whom  he  considered  as  encroaching  on  his 
hunting  grounds.  Henry  was  obliged  to  disguise  himself  as  a  Canadian 
to  insure  safety,  but  was  discovered  by  Pontiac,  who  bitterly  reproached 
him  and  the  English  for  their  attempted  subjugation  of  the  West.  He 
declared  that  no  treaty  had  been  made  with  them;  no  presents  sent 
them,  and  that  he  would  resent  any  possession  of  the  West  by  that  nation. 
He  was  at  the  time  about  fifty  years  of  age,  tall  and  dignified,  and  was 
civil  and  military  ruler  of  the  Ottawas,  Ojibwas  and  Pottawatamies. 

The  Indians,  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  borders  of  North  Carolina, 
were  united  in  this  feeling,  and  at  the  time  of  the  treaty  of  Paris,  ratified 
February  10,  1763,  a   general  conspiracy  was  formed  to  fall  suddenly 


42 


TBTE   NOKTHWEST   TERRlTOEr. 


PONTIAC,  THE  OTTAWA  CHIEFTAIN. 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY.  43 

upon  the  frontier  British  posts,  and  with  one  blow  strike  every  man  dead. 
Pontiac  was  the  marked  leader  in  all  this,  and  was  the  commander 
of  the  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  Wyandots,  Miamis,  Shawanese,  Delawares 
and  Mingoes,  who  had,  for  the  time,  laid  aside  their  local  quarrels  to  unito 
in  this  enterprise. 

The  blow  came,  as  near  as  can  now  be  ascertained,  on  May  7,  176:1, 
Nine  British  posts  fell,  and  the  Indians  drank,  "  scooped  up  in  the  hollow 
of  joined  hands,"  the  blood  of  many  a  Briton, 

Pontiac's  immediate  field  of  action  was  the  garrison  at  Detroit. 
Here,  however,  the  plans  were  frustrated  by  an  Indian  woman  disclosing 
the  plot  the  evening  previous  to  his  arrival.  Everything  was  carried  out, 
however,  according  to  Pontiac's  plans  until  the  moment  of  action,  when 
Major  Gladwyn,  the  commander  of  the  post,  stepping  to  one  of  the  Indian 
chiefs,  suddenly  drew  aside  his  blanket  and  disclosed  the  concealed 
musket.  Pontiac,  though  a  brave  man,  turned  pale  and  trembled.  He 
saw  his  plan  was  known,  and  that  the  garrison  were  prepared.  Re 
endeavored  to  exculpate  himself  from  any  such  intentions ;  but  the  guilt 
was  evident,  and  he  and  his  followers  were  dismissed  with  a  severe 
reprimand,  and  warned  never  to  again  enter  the  walls  of  the  post. 

Pontiac  at  once  laid  siege  to  the  fort,  and  until  the  treaty  of  peace 
between  the  British  and  the  Western  Indians,  concluded  in  August,  1764, 
continued  to  harass  and  -besiege  the  fortress.  He  orcxanized  a  reoular 
commissariat  department,  issued  bills  of  credit  written  out  on  bark, 
which,  to  his  credit,  it  may  be  stated,  were  punctually  redeemed.  At 
the  conclusion  of  the  treaty,  in  which  it  seems  he  took  no  part,  he  went 
further  south,  living  many  yeass  among  the  Illinois. 

He  had  given  up  all  hope  of  saving  his  country  and  race.  After  a 
time  he  endeavored  to  unite  the  Illinois  tribe  and  those  about  St.  Louis 
in  a  war  with  the  whites.  His  efforts  were  fruitless,  and  only  ended  in  a 
quarrel  between  himself  and  some  Kaskaskia  Indians,  one  of  whom  soon 
afterwards  killed  him.  His  death  was,  however,  avenged  by  the  northern 
Indians,  who  nearly  exterminated  the  Illinois  in  the  wars  which  followed. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  treachery  of  a  few  of  his  followers,  his  plan 
for  the  extermination  of  the  whites,  a  masterly  one,  would  undoubtedly 
have  been  carried  out. 

It  was  in  the  Spring  of  the  year  following  Rogers'  visit  that  Alex- 
ander Henry  went  to  Missillimacnac,  and  everywhere  found  the  strongest 
feelings  against  the  English,  who  had  not  carried  out  their  promises,  and 
were  doing  nothing  to  conciliate  the  natives.  Here  he  met  the  chief, 
Pontiac,  who,  after  conveying  to  him  in  a  speech  the  idea  that  their 
French  father  would  awake  soon  and  utterly  destroy  his  enemies,  said : 
"  Englishman,  although  you  have  conquered  the  French,  you  have  not 


44  THE  NORTH^VEST   TERRITORY. 

yet  conquered  us  !  We  are  not  your  slaves !  These  lakes,  these  woods, 
these  mountains,  were  left  us  by  our  ancestors.  They  are  our  inheritance, 
and  we  will  part  with  them  to  none.  Your  nation  supposes  that  we,  like 
the  white  people,  can  not  live  without  bread  and  pork  and  beef.  But  you 
oufrht  to  know  that  He,  the  Great  Spirit  and  Master  of  Life,  has  provided 
food  for  us  upon  these  broad  lakes  and  in  these  mountains." 

He  then  spoke  of  the  fact  that  no  treaty  had  been  made  with  them, 
no  presents  sent  them,  and  that  he  and  his  people  were  yet  for  war. 
Such  were  the  feelings  of  the  Northwestern  Indians  immediately  after 
the  English  took  possession  of  their  country.  These  feelings  were  no 
doubt  encouraged  by  the  Canadians  and  French,  who  hoped  that  yet  the 
French  arms  might  prevail.  The  treaty  of  Paris,  however,  gave  to  the 
English  the  right  to  this  vast  domain,  and  active  preparations  were  going 
on  to  occupy  it  and  enjoy  its  trade  and  emoluments. 

In  1762,  France,  by  a  secret  treaty,  ceded  Louisiana  to  Spain,  to  pre- 
vent it  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  who  were  becoming  masters 
of  the  entire  West.  The  next  year  the  treaty  of  Paris,  signed  at  Fon- 
tainbleau,  gave  to  the  English  the  domain  of  the  country  in  question. 
Twenty  years  after,  by  the  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States 
and  England,  that  part  of  Canada  lying  south  and  west  of  the  Great 
.Lakes,  comprehending  a  large  territory  which  is  the  subject  of  these 
sketches,  was  acknowledged  to  be  a  portion  of  the  United  States  ;  and 
twenty  years  still  later,  in  1803,  Louisiana  was  ceded  by  Spain  back  to 
France,  and  by  France  sold  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  half  century,  from  the  building  of  the  Fort  of  Crevecoeur  by 
LaSalle,  in  1680,  up  to  the  erection  of  Fort  Chartres,  many  French  set- 
tlements had  been  made  in  that  quarter.  These  have  already  been 
noticed,  being  those  at  St.  Vincent  (Vincennes),  Kohokia  or  Cahokia, 
Kaskaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher,  on  the  American  Bottom,  a  large  tract 
of  rich  alluvial  soil  in  Illinois,  on  the  Mississippi,  opposite  the  site  of  St. 
Louis. 

By  the  treaty  of  Paris,  the  regions  east  of  the  Mississippi,  including 
all  these  and  other  towns  of  the  Northwest,  were  given  over  to  England; 
but  they  do  not  appear  to  have  been  taken  possession  of  until  1765,  when 
Captain  Stirling,  in  the  name  of  the  Majesty  of  England,  established  him- 
self at  Fort  Chartres  bearing  with  him  the  proclamation  of  General  Gage, 
dated  December  30,  1764,  which  promised  religious  freedom  to  all  Cath- 
olics who  worshiped  here,  and  a  right  to  leave  the  country  with  their 
effects  if  they  Avished,  or  to  remain  with  the  privileges  of  Englishmen. 
It  was  shortly  after  the  occupancy  of  the  West  by  the  British  that  the 
war  with  Pontiac  opened.  It  is  already  noticed  in  the  sketch  of  that 
chieftain.     By  it  many  a  Briton  lost  his  life,  and  many  a  frontier  settle- 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  46 

ment  in  its  infancy  ceased  to  exist.  This  was  not  ended  until  the  year 
17G4,  when,  failing  to  capture  Detroit,  Niagara  and  Fort  Pitt,  his  confed- 
eracy became  disheartened,  and,  receiving  no  aid  from  the  French,  Pon- 
tiac  abandoned  the  enterprise  and  departed  to  the  Illinois,  among  whom 
lie  afterward  lost  his  life. 

As  soon  as  these  difficulties  were  definitely  settled,  settlers  began 
rapidly  to  survey  the  country  and  prepare  for  occupation.  During  the 
year  1770,  a  number  of  persons  from  Virginia  and  other  British  provinces 
explored  and  marked  out  nearly  all  the  valuable  lands  on  the  Mouonga- 
hela  and  along  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  as  far  as  the  Little  Kanawha.  This 
was  followed  by  another  exploring  expedition,  in  which  George  Washing- 
ton was  a  party.  The  latter,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Craik,  Capt.  Crawford 
and  others,  on  the  20th  of  October,  1770,  descended  the  Ohio  from  Pitts- 
burgh to  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha  ;  ascended  that  stream  about  fourteen 
miles,  marked  out  several  large  tracts  of  land,  shot  several  buffalo,  which 
were  then  abundant  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  and  returned  to  the  fort. 

Pittsburgh  was  at  this  time  a  trading  post,  about  which  was  clus- 
tered a  village  of  some  twenty  houses,  inhabited  by  Indian  traders.  This 
same  year,  Capt.  Pittman  visited  Kaskaskia  and  its  neighboring  villages. 
He  found  there  about  sixty-five  resident  families,  and  at  Cahokia  only 
forty-five  dwellings.  At  Fort  Chartres  was  another  small  settlement,  and 
at  Detroit  the  garrison  were  quite  prosperous  and  strong.  For  a  year 
or  two  settlers  continued  to  locate  near  some  of  these  posts,  generally 
Fort  Pitt  or  Detroit,  owing  to  the  fears  of  the  Indians,  who  still  main- 
tained some  feelings  of  hatred  to  the  English.  The  trade  from  the  posts 
was  quite  good,  and  from  those  in  Illinois  large  quantities  of  pork  and 
flour  found  their  way  to  the  New  Orleans  market.  At  this  time  the 
policy  of  the  British  Government  was  strongly  opposed  to  the  extension 
of  the  colonies  west.  In  1763,  the  King  of  England  forbade,  by  royal 
proclamation,  his  colonial  subjects  from  making  a  settlement  beyond  the 
sources  of  the  rivers  which  fall  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  At  the  instance 
of  the  Board  of  Trade,  measures  were  taken  to  prevent  the  settlement 
without  the  limits  prescribed,  and  to  retain  the  commerce  within  easy 
reach  of  Great  Britain. 

The  commander-in-chief  of  the  king's  forces  wrote  in  1769  :  "  In  the 
course  of  a  few  years  necessity  will  compel  the  colonists,  should  they 
extend  their  settlements  west,  to  provide  manufactures  of  some  kind  for 
themselves,  and  when  all  connection  upheld  by  commerce  with  the  mother 
country  ceases,  an  independency  in  their  government  will  soon  follow.'' 

In  accordance  with  this  policy,  Gov.  Gage  issued  a  proclamation 
in  1772,  commanding  the  inhabitants  of  Vincennes  to  abandon  their  set- 
tlements and  join  some  of  the  Eastern  English  colonies.     To  this  they 


46  THE  NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 

Strenuously  objected,  giving  good  reasons  therefor,  and  were  allowed  to 
remain.  The  strong  opposition  to  this  policy  of  Great  Britain  led  to  its 
change,  and  to  such  a  course  as  to  gain  the  attachment  of  the  French 
population.  In  December,  1773,  influential  citizens  of  Quebec  petitioned 
the  king  for  an  extension  of  the  boundary  lines  of  that  province,  which 
was  granted,  and  Parliament  passed  an  act  on  June  2,  1774,  extend- 
ing the  boundary  so  as  to  include  the  territory  lying  within  the  present 
States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Michigan. 

In  consequence  of  the  liberal  policy  pursued  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment toward  the  French  settlers  in  the  West,  they  were  disposed  to  favor 
that  nation  in  the  war  which  soon  followed  with  the  colonies  ;  but  the 
early  alliance  between  France  and  America  soon  brought  them  to  the  side 
of  the  war  for  independence. 

In  1774,  Gov.  Dunmore,  of  Virginia,  began  to  encourage  emigration 
to  the  Western  lands.  He  appointed  magistrates  at  Fort  Pitt  under  the 
pretense  that  the  fort  was  under  the  government  of  that  commonwealth. 
One  of  these  justices,  John  Connelly,  who  possessed  a  tract  of  land  in  the 
Ohio  Valley,  gathered  a  force  of  men  and  garrisoned  the  fort,  calling  it 
Fort  Dunmore.  This  and  other  parties  were  formed  to  select  sites  for 
settlements,  and  often  came  in  conflict  with  the  Indians,  who  yet  claimed 
portions  of  the  valley,  and  several  battles  followed.  These  ended  in  the 
famous  battle  of  Kanawha  in  July,  where  the  Indians  were  defeated  and 
driven  across  the  Ohio. 

During  the  years  1775  and  1776,  by  the  operations  of  land  companies 
and  the  perseveranceof  individuals,  several  settlements  were  firmly  estab- 
lished between  the  Alleghanies  and  tiie  Ohio  River,  and  western  land 
speculators  were  busy  in  Illinois  and  on  the  Wabash.  At  a  council  held 
in  Kaskaskia  on  July  5,  1773,  an  association  of  English  traders,  calling 
themselves  the  "  Illinois  Land  Company,"  obtained  from  ten  chiefs  of  the 
Kaskaskia,  Cahokia  and  Peoria  tribes  two  large  tracts  of  land  lying  on 
the  east  side  of  the  jNIississippi  River  south  of  the  Illinois.  In  1775,  a  mer- 
chant from  the  Illinois  Country,  named  Viviat,  came  to  Post  Vincennes 
as  the  agent  of  the  association  called  the  "  Wabash  Land  Company."  On 
the  8th  of  October  he  obtained  from  eleven  Piankeshaw  chiefs,  a  deed  for 
37,497,600  acres  of  land.  This  deed  was  signed  by  the  grantors,  attested 
by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Vincennes,  and  afterward  recorded  in 
the  office  of  a  notary  public  at  Kaskaskia.  This  and  other  land  com- 
panies had  extensive  schemes  for  the  colonization  of  the  West ;  but  all 
were  frustrated  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution.  On  the  20th  of 
April,  17b0,  the  two  companies  named  consolidated  under  tlio  name  of  the 
''  United  Illinois  and  Wabash  Land  Company."     The^'  afterward  madf 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  47 

strenuous  efforts  to  have  these  grants  sanctioned  by  Congress,  but  all 
si<]rnally  failed. 

When  the  War  of  the  Revolution  commenced,  Kentucky  was  an  unor- 
ganized country,  though  there  were  several  settlements  within  her  borders. 

In  Hutchins'  Topography  of  Virginia,  it  is  stated  that  at  that  time 
"  Kaskaskia  contained  80  houses,  and  nearly  1,000  white  and  black  in- 
habitants —  the  whites  being  a  little  the  more  numerous.  Cuhokia  con- 
tains 50  houses  and  300  white  inhabitants,  and  80  negroes.  There  were 
east  of  the  Mississippi  River,  about  the  year  1771  " — when  these  observa- 
tions were  made  — "  300  white  men  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  230 
negroes." 

From  1775  until  the  expedition  of  Clark,  nothing  is  recorded  and 
nothing  known  of  these  settlements,  save  what  is  contained  in  a  report 
made  by  a  committee  to  Congress  in  June,  1778.  From  it  the  following 
extract  is  made : 

"  Near  the  mouth  of  the  River  Kaskaskia,  there  is  a  village  which 
appears  to  have  contained  nearly  eighty  families  from  the  beginning  of 
the  late  revolution.  There  are  twelve  families  in  a  small  village  at  la 
Prairie  du  Rochers,  and  near  fifty  families  at  the  Kahokia  Village.  There 
are  also  four  or  five  families  at  Fort  Chartres  and  St.  Philips,  which  is  five 
miles  further  up  the  river." 

St.  Louis  had  been  settled  in  February,  1764,  and  at  this  time  con- 
tained, including  its  neighboring  towns,  over  six  hundred  whites  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty  negroes.  It  must  be  remembered  that  all  the  country 
west  of  the  Mississippi  was  now  under  French  rule,  and  remained  so  until 
ceded  again  to  Spain,  its  original  owner,  who  afterwards  sold  it  and  the 
country  including  New  Orleans  to  the  United  States.  At  Detroit  there 
were,  according  to  Capt.  Carver,  who  was  in  the  Northwest  from  1766  to 
1768,  more  than  one  hundred  houses,  and  the  river  was  settled  for  more 
than  twenty  miles,  although  poorly  cultivated — the  people  being  engaged 
in  the  Indian  trade.  This  old  town  has  a  history,  which  we  will  here 
relate. 

It  is  the  oldest  town  in  the  Northwest,  having  been  founded  by 
Antoine  de  Lamotte  Cadillac,  in  1701.  It  was  laid  out  in  the  form  of  an 
oblong  square,  of  two  acres  in  length,  and  an  acre  and  a  half  in  width. 
As  described  by  A.  D.  Frazer,  who  first  visited  it  and  became  a  permanent 
resident  of  the  place,  in  1778,  it  comprised  within  its  limits  that  space 
between  Mr.  Palmer's  store  (Conant  Block)  and  Capt.  Perkins'  house 
(near  the  Arsenal  building),  and  extended  back  as  far  as  the  public  barn, 
and  was  bordered  in  front  by  the  Detroit  River.  It  was  surrounded  by 
oak  and  cedar  pickets,  about  fifteen  feet  long,  set  in  the  ground,  and  had 
four  gates  —  east,  west,  north  and  south.     Over  the  first  three  of  these 


4  0  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

gates  were  block  houses  provided  with  four  guns  apiece,  each  a  six- 
pounder.  Two  six-gun  batteries  were  planted  fronting  the  river  and  in  a 
parallel  direction  with  the  block  houses.  There  were  four  streets  running 
east  and  west,  the  main  street  being  twenty  feet  wide  and  the  rest  fifteen 
feet,  while  the  four  streets  crossing  these  at  right  angles  were  from  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  in  width. 

At  the  date  spoken  of  by  Mr.  Frazer,  there  was  no  fort  within  the 
enclosure,  but  a  citadel  on  the  ground  corresponding  to  the   present 
northwest  corner  of  Jefferson  Avenue  and  Wayne  Street.   The  citadel  was 
inclosed  by  pickets,  and  within   it  were   erected  barracks  of  wood,  two 
stories  high,  suflBcient  to  contain  ten  officers,  and  also  barracks  sufficient 
to  contain  four  hundred  men,  and  a  provision  store  built  of  brick.     The 
citadel   also   contained  a  hospital  and  guard-house.     The  old  town  of 
Detroit,  in  17T8,  contained  about  sixty  houses,  most  of  them  one  story, 
with  a  few  a  story  and  a  half  in  height.     They  were  all  of  logs,  some 
hewn  and  some  round.     There  was  one  building  of  splendid  appearance, 
called  the  "  King's  Palace,"  two  stories  high,  which  stood  near  the  east 
gate.    It  was  built  for  Governor  Hamilton,  the  first  governor  commissioned 
by  the  British.     There  were  two  guard-houses,  one  near  the  west  gate  and 
the  other  near  the  Government  House.     Each  of  the  guards  consisted  of 
twenty-four  men  and  a  subaltern,  who  mounted  regularly  every  morning 
between  nine  and  ten  o'clock.     Each  furnished  four  sentinels,  who  were 
relieved  every  two  hours.     There  was  also  an  officer  of  the  day,  who  per- 
formed strict  duty.     Each  of  the  gates  was  shut  regularly  at  sunset , 
even  wicket    gates  were  shut  at  nine   o'clock,  and  all  the  keys  were 
delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  commanding  officer.     They  were  opened 
in  the  morning  at  sunrise.     No  Indian  or  squaw  was  permitted  to  enter 
town  with  any  weapon,  such  as  a  tomahawk  or  a  knife.     It  was  a  stand- 
ing order  that  the  Indians  should  deliver  their  arms  and  instruments  of 
every  kind  before  they  were  permitted  to  pass  the  sentinel,  and  they  were 
restored  to  them  on  their  return.    No  more  than  twenty-five  Indians  were 
allowed  to  enter  the  town  at  any  one  time,  and  they  were  admitted  only 
at  the  east  and  west  gates.     At  sundown  the  drums  beat,  and  all  the 
Indians  were  required  to  leave  town  instantly.    There  was  a  council  house 
near  the  water  side  for  the  purpose  of  holding  council  with  the  Indians. 
The  population  of  the  town  was  about  sixty  families,  in  all  about  two 
hundred  males  and  one  hundred  females.     This  town  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  all  except  one  dwelling,  in  1805.     After  which  the  present  "  new  " 
town  was  laid  out. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  the  British  held  every  post  of 
importance  in  the  West.  Kentucky  was  formed  as  a  component  part  of 
Virginia,  and  the  sturdy  pioneers  of  the  West,  alive  to  their  interests^ 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  49 

and  recoguizing  the  great  benefits  of  obtaining  the  control  of  the  trade  in 
this  part  of  the  New  World,  held  steadily  to  their  purposes,  and  those 
within  the  commonwealth  of  Kentucky  proceeded  to  exercise  their 
civil  privileges,  by  electing  John  Todd  and  Richard  Gallaway» 
burgesses  to  represent  them  in  the  Assembly  of  the  parent  state. 
Early  in  September  of  that  year  (1777)  the  first  court  was  held 
in  Harrodsburg,  and  Col.  Bowman,  afterwards  major,  who  had  arrived 
in  Auo-ust,  was  made  the  commander  of  a  militia  organization  which 
had  been  commenced  the  March  previous.  Thus  the  tree  of  loyalty 
was  growing.  The  chief  spirit  in  this  far-out  colony,  who  had  represented 
her  the  year  previous  east  of  the  mountains,  was  now  meditating  a  move 
unequaled  in  its  boldness.  He  had  been  watching  the  movements  of  the 
British  throughout  the  Northwest,  and  understood  their  whole  plan.  He 
saw  it  was  through  their  possession  of  the  posts  at  Detroit,  Vincennes,- 
Kaskaskia,  and  other  places,  which  would  give  them  constant  and  easy 
access  to  the  various  Indian  tribes  in  the  Northwest,  that  the  British 
intended  to  penetrate  the  country  from  the  north  and  soutn,  ana  annihi- 
late the  frontier  fortresses.  This  moving,  energetic  man  was  Colonel, 
afterwards  General,  George  Rogers  Clark.  He  knew  the  Indians  were  not 
unanimously  in  accord  with  the  EngUsh,  and  he  was  convinced  that,  could 
the  British  be  defeated  and  expelled  from  the  Northwest,  the  natives 
might  be  easily  awed  into  neutrality ;  and  by  spies  sent  for  the  purpose, 
he  satisfied  himself  that  the  enterprise  against  the  Illinois  settlements 
might  easily  succeed.  Having  convinced  himself  of  the  certainty  of  the 
project,  he  repaired  to  the  Capital  of  Virginia,  which  place  he  reached  on 
November  5th.  While  he  was  on  his  way,  fortunately,  on  October  17th, 
Burgoyne  had  been  defeated,  and  the  spirits  of  the  colonists  greatly 
encouraged  thereby.  Patrick  Henry  was  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  at 
once  entered  heartily  into  Clark's  plans.  The  same  plan  had  before  been 
agitated  in  the  Colonial  Assemblies,  but  there  was  no  one  until  Clark 
came  who  was  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the 
scene  of  action  to  be  able  to  guide  them. 

Clark,  having  satisfied  the  Vii-ginia  leaders  of  the  feasibility  of  his 
plan,  received,  on  the  2d  of  January,  two  sets  of  instructions — one  secret, 
the  other  open  —  the  latter  authorized  him  to  proceed  to  enlist  seven 
companies  to  go  to  Kentucky,  subject  to  his  orders,  and  to  serve  three 
months  from  their  arrival  in  the  West.  The  secret  order  authorized  him 
to  arm  these  troops,  to  procure  his  powder  and  lead  of  General  Hand 
at  Pittsburgh,  and  to  proceed  at  once  to  subjugate  the  country. 

With  these  instructions  Clark  repaired  to  Pittsburgh,  choosing  rather 
to  raise  his  men  west  of  the  mountains,  as  he  well  knew  all  were  needed 
in  the  colonies  in  the  conflict  there.     He  sent  Col.  W.  B.  iSmith  to  Hoi- 


60  THE  NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 

ston  for  the  same  purpose,  but  neither  succeeded  in  raising  the  required 
number  of  men.  The  settlers  in  these  parts  were  afraid  to  leave  their 
own  firesides  exposed  to  a  vigilant  foe,  and  but  few  could  be  induced  to 
join  the  proposed  expedition.  With  three  companies  and  several  private 
volunteers,  Clark  at  length  commenced  his  descent  of  the  Ohio,  which  he 
navio-ated  as  far  as  the  Falls,  where  he  took  possession  of  and  fortified 
Corn  Island,  a  small  island  between  the  present  Cities  of  Louisville. 
Kentucky,  and  New  Albany,  Indiana.  Remains  of  this  fortification  may 
yet  be  found.  At  this  place  he  appointed  Col.  Bowman  to  meet  him 
with  such  recruits  as  had  reached  Kentucky  by  the  southern  route,  and 
as  many  as  could  be  spared  from  the  station.  Here  he  announced  to 
the  men  their  real  destination.  Having  completed  his  arrangements, 
and  chosen  his  party,  he  left  a  small  garrison  upon  the  island,  and  on  the 
24th  of  June,  during  a  total  eclipse  of  the  sun,  which  to  them  augured 
no  good,  and  which  fixes  beyond  dispute  the  date  of  starting,  he  with 
his  chosen  band,  fell  down  the  river.  His  plan  was  to  go  by  water  as 
far  as  Fort  Massac  or  Massacre,  and  thence  march  direct  to  Kaskaskia. 
Here  he  intended  to  surprise  the  garrison,  and  after  its  capture  go  to 
Cahokia,  then  to  Vincennes,  and  lastly  to  Detroit.  Should  he  fail,  he 
intended  to  march  directly  to  the  Mississippi  River  and  cross  it  into  the 
Spanish  country.  Before  his  start  he  received  two  good  items  of  infor- 
mation :  one  that  the  alliance  had  been  formed  between  France  and  the 
United  States ;  and  the  other  that  the  Indians  throughout  the  Illinois 
country  and  the  inhabitants,  at  the  various  frontier  posts,  had  been  led  to 
Ijelieve  by  the  British  that  the  "  Long  Knives"  or  Virginians,  were  the 
most  fierce,  bloodthirsty  and  cruel  savages  that  ever  scalped  a  foe.  With 
this  impression  on  their  minds,  Clark  saw  that  proper  management  would 
cause  them  to  submit  at  once  from  fear,  if  surprised,  and  then  from  grati- 
tude would  become  friendly  if  treated  with  unexpected  leniency. 

The  march  to  Kaskaskia  was  accomplished  through  a  hot  July  sun, 
and  the  town  reached  on  the  evening  of  July  4.  He  captured  the  fort 
near  the  village,  and  soon  after  the  village  itself  by  surprise,  and  without 
the  loss  of  a  single  man  or  by  killing  any  of  the  enemy.  After  sufficiently 
working  upon  the  fears  of  the  natives,  Clark  told  them  they  were  at  per- 
fect liberty  to  worship  as  they  pleased,  and  to  take  whichever  side  of  the 
great  conflict  they  would,  also  he  would  protect  them  from  any  barbarity 
from  British  or  Indian  foe.  This  had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  inhab- 
itants, so  unexpectedly  and  so  gratefully  surprised  by  the  unlooked 
for  turn  of  affairs,  at  once  swore  allegiance  to  the  American  arms,  and 
when  Clark  desired  to  go  to  Cahokia  on  the  6tfi  of  July,  they  accom- 
panied him,  and  through  their  influence  the  inhabitants  of  the  place 
surrendered,  and  gladly  placed  themselves  under  his  protection.     Thus 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY.  51 

the  two  important  posts  in  Illinois  passed  from  the  hands  of  the  English 
into  the  possession  of  Virginia. 

In  the  person  of  the  priest  at  Kaskaskia,  M.  Gibault,  Clark  found  a 
powerful  alh^  and  generous  friend.  Clark  saw  that,  to  retain  possession 
of  the  Northwest  and  treat  successfully  with  the  Indians  within  its  boun- 
daries, he  must  establish  a  government  for  the  colonies  he  had  taken. 
St.  Vincent,  the  next  important  post  to  Detroit, remained  yet  to  be  taken 
before  the  Mississii^pi  Valley  was  conquered.  M.  Gibault  told  him  that 
he  would  alone,  by  persuasion,  lead  Vincennes  to  throw  off  its  connection 
with  England.  Clark  gladly  accepted  his  offer,  and  on  the  14th  of  July, 
in  company  with  a  fellow-townsman,  M.  Gibault  started  on  his  mission  of 
peace,  and  on  the  1st  of  August  returned  with  the  cheerful  intelligence 
that  the  post  on  the  "  Oubache  "  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 
the  Old  Dominion.  During  this  interval,  Clark  established  his  courts, 
placed  garrisons  at  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia,  successfully  re-enlisted  his 
men,  sent  word  to  have  a  fort,  which  proved  the  germ  of  Louisville, 
erected  at  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio,  and  dispatched  Mr.  Rocheblave,  who 
had  been  commander  at  Kaskaskia,  as  a  prisoner  of  war  to  Richmond. 
In  (October  the  County  of  Illinois  was  established  by  the  Legislature 
of  Virginia,  John  Todd  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Civil  Governor, 
and  in  November  General  Clark  and  his  men  received  the  thanks  of 
the  Old  Dominion  through  their  Legislature. 

In  a  speech  a  few  days  afterward,  Clark  made  known  fully  to  the 
natives  his  plans,  and  at  its  close  all  came  forward  and  swore  alle- 
giance to  the  Long  Knives.  While  he  was  doing  this  Governor  Hamilton, 
having  made  his  various  arrangements,  had  left  Detroit  and  moved  down 
the  Wabash  to  Vincennes  intending  to  operate  from  that  point  in  reducing 
the  Illinois  posts,  and  then  proceed  on  down  to  Kentucky  and  drive  the 
rebels  from  the  West.  Gen.  Clark  had,  on  the  return  of  M.  Gibault, 
dispatched  Captain  Helm,  of  Fauquier  County,  Virginia,  with  an  attend- 
ant named  Henry,  across  the  Illinois  prairies  to  command  the  fort. 
Hamilton  knew  nothing  of  the  capitulation  of  the  post,  and  was  greatly 
surprised  on  his  arrival  to  be  confronted  by  Capt.  Helm,  who,  standing  at 
the  entrance  of  the  fort  by  a  loaded  cannon  ready  to  fire  upon  his  assail- 
ants, demanded  upon  what  terms  Hamilton  demanded  possession  of  tha 
fort.  Being  granted  the  rights  of  a  prisoner  of  war,  he  surrendered  to 
the  British  General,  who  could  scarcely  believe  his  eyes  when  he  saw  the 
force  in  the  garrison. 

Hamilton,  not  realizing  the  character  of  the  men  with  whom  he  was 
contending,  gave  up  his  intended  campaign  for  the  Winter,  sent  his  four 
hundred  Indian  warriors  to  prevent  troops  from  coming  down  the  Ohio, 


,^^^:>^ 


52  THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 

and  to  annoy  the  Americans  in  all  ways,  and  sat  quietly  down  to  pass  the 
Winter.  Information  of  all  these  proceedings  having  reached  Claik,  he 
saw  that  immediate  and  decisive  action  was  necessary,  and  that  unless 
he  captured  Hamilton,  Hamilton  would  capture  him.  Clark  received  the 
news  on  the  29th  of  January,  1779,  and  on  February  4th,  having  suffi- 
ciently garrisoned  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia,  he  sent  down  the  Mississippi 
a  "  battoe,"  as  Major  Bowman  writes  it,  in  order  to  ascend  the  Ohio  and 
Wabash,  and  operate  with  the  land  forces  gathering  for  the  fray. 

On  the  next  day,  Clark,  with  his  little  force  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  men,  set  out  for  the  post,  and  after  incredible  hard  marching 
through  much  mud,  the  ground  being  thawed  by  the  incessant  spring 
rains,  on  the  22d  reached  the  fort,  and  being  joined  by  his  "  battoe,"  at 
once  commenced  the  attack  on  the  post.  The  aim  of  the  American  back- 
woodsman was  unerring,  and  on  the  24th  the  garrison  surrendered  to  the 
intrepid  boldness  of  Clark.  The  French  were  treated  with  great  kind- 
ness, and  gladly  renewed  their  allegiance  to  Virginia.  Hamilton  was 
sent  as  a  prisoner  to  Virginia,  where  he  was  kept  in  close  confinement. 
During  his  command  of  the  British  frontier  posts,  he  had  offered  prizes 
to  the  Indians  for  all  the  scalps  of  Americans  they  would  bring  to  him, 
and  had  earned  in  consequence  thereof  the  title  ''  Hair-buyer  General," 
by  which  he  was  ever  afterward  known. 

Detroit  was  now  without  doubt  within  easy  reach  of  the  enterprising 
Virginian,  could  he  but  raise  the  necessary  force.  Governor  Henry  being 
apprised  of  this,  promised  him  the  needed  reinforcement,  and  Clark  con- 
cluded to  wait  until  he  could  capture  and  sufficiently  garrison  the  posts. 
Had  Clark  failed  in  this  bold  undertaking,  and  Hamilton  succeeded  in 
uniting  the  western  Indians  for  the  next  Spring's  campaign,  the  West 
would  indeed  have  been  swept  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Allegheny 
Mountains,  and  the  great  blow  struck,  which  had  been  contemplated  from 
the  commencement,  by  the  British. 

"  But  for  this  small  array  of  dripping,  but  fearless  Vii-ginians,  the 
union  of  all  the  tribes  from  Georgia  to  Maine  against  the  colonies  might 
have  been  effected,  and  the  whole  current  of  our  history  changed." 

At  this  time  some  fears  were  entertained  by  the  Colonial  Govern- 
ments that  the  Indians  in  the  North  and  Northwest  were  inclining  to  the 
British,  and  under  the  instructions  of  Washington,  now  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Colonial  army,  and  so  bravely  fighting  for  American  inde- 
pendence, armed  forces  were  sent  against  the  Six  Nations,  and  upon  the 
Ohio  frontier,  Col.  Bowman,  acting  under  the  same  general's  orders, 
marched  against  Indians  within  the  present  limits  of  that  State.  These 
expeditions  were  in  the  main  successful,  and  the  Indians  were  compelled 
to  sue  for  peace. 


THE  NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


53 


During  this  same  year  (1779)  the  famous  "  Land  Laws"  of  Virginia 
were  passed.  The  passage  of  these  hiws  was  of  more  consequence  to  the 
pioneers  of  Kentucky  and  the  Northwest  than  the  gaining  of  a  few  Indian 
conflicts.  These  laws  confirmed  in  main  all  grants  made,  and  guaranteed 
to  all  actual  settlers  their  rights  and  privileges.  After  providing  for  the 
settlers,  the  laws  provided  for  selling  the  balance  of  the  public  lands  at 
forty  cents  per  acre.  To  carry  the  Land  Laws  into  effect,  the  Legislature 
sent  four  Virginians  westward  to  attend  to  the  various  claims,  over  many 
of  which  great  confusion  prevailed  concerning  their  validity.  These 
gentlemen  opened  their  court  on  October  13,  1779,  at  St.  Asaphs,  and 
continued  until  April  26,  1780,  when  they  adjourned,  having  decided 
three  thousand  claims.  They  were  succeeded  by  the  surveyor,  who 
came  in  the  person  of  Mr.  George  May,  and  assumed  his  duties  on  the 
10th  day  of  the  month  whose  name  he  bore.  With  the  opening  of  the 
next  year  (1780)  the  troubles  concerning  the  navigation  of  the  Missis- 
sippi commenced.  The  Spanish  Government  exacted  such  measures  in 
relation  to  its  trade  as  to  cause  the  overtures  made  to  the  United  States 
to  be  rejected.  The  American  Government  considered  they  had  a  right 
to  navigate  its  channel.  To  enforce  their  claims,  a  fort  was  erected  below 
the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  on  the  Kentucky  side  of  the  river.  The  settle- 
ments in  Kentucky  were  being  rapidly  filled  by  emigrants.  It  was  dur- 
ing this  year  that  the  first  seminary  of  learning  was  established  in  the 
West  in  this  young  and  enterprising  Commonwealth. 

The  settlers  here  did  not  look  upon  the  building  of  this  fort  in  a 
friendly  manner,  as  it  aroused  the  hostility  of  the  Indians.  Spain  had 
been  friendly  to  the  Colonies  during  their  struggle  for  independence, 
and  though  for  a  while  this  friendship  appeared  in  danger  from  the 
refusal  of  the  free  navigation  of  the  river,  yet  it  was  finally  settled  to  the 
satisfaction  of  both  nations. 

The  Winter  of  1779-80  was  one  of  the  most  unusually  severe  ones 
ever  experienced  in  the  West.  The  Indians  always  referred  to  it  as  the 
"Great  Cold."  Numbers  of  wild  animals  perished,  and  not  a  few 
pioneers  lost  their  lives.  The  following  Summer  a  party  of  Canadians 
and  Indians  attacked  St.  Louis,  and  attempted  to  take  possession  of  it 
in  consequence  of  the  friendly  disposition  of  Spain  to  the  revolting 
colonies.  They  met  with  such  a  determined  resistance  on  the  part  of  the 
inhabitants,  even  the  women  taking  part  in  the  battle,  that  they  weie 
compelled  to  abandon  the  contest.  They  also  made  an  attack  on  the 
settlements  in  Kentucky,  but,  becoming  alarmed  in  some  unaccountable 
manner,  they  fled  the  country  in  great  haste. 

About  this  time  arose  the  question  in  the  Colonial  Congress  con- 
cerning the  western  lands  claimed  by  Virginia,  New  York,  Massachusetts 


54  THE    NORTHWEST    TERRITORY. 

and  Connecticut.  The  agitation  concerning  this  subject  finally  led  New 
York,  on  the  19th  of  February,  1780,  to  pass  a  law  giving  to  the  dele- 
gates of  that  State  in  Congress  the  power  to  cede  her  western  lands  for 
the  benefit  of  the  United  States.  This  law  was  laid  before  Congress 
during  the  next  month,  but  no  steps  were  taken  concerning  it  until  Sep- 
tember 6th,  when  a  resolution  passed  that  body  calling  upon  the  States 
claiming  western  lands  to  release  their  claims  in  favor  of  the  whole  body. 
This  basis  formed  the  union,  and  was  the  first  after  all  of  those  legislative 
measures  which  resulted  in  the  creation  of  the  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota.  In  December  of  the  same 
year,  the  plan  of  conquering  Detroit  again  arose.  The  conquest  might 
have  easily  been  effected  by  Clark  had  the  necessary  aid  been  furnished 
him.  Nothing  decisive  was  done,  vet  the  heads  of  the  Government  knew 
that  the  safety  of  the  Northwest  from  British  invasion  l^y  in  the  capture 
and  retention  of  that  important  post.,  the  only  unconquered  one  in  the 
territory. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year,  Kentucky  was  divided  into  the  Coun- 
ties of  Lincoln,  Fayette  and  Jefferson,  and  the  act  establishing  the  Town 
of  Louisville  was  passed.  This  same  year  is  also  noted  in  the  annals  of 
American  historv  as  the  vear  in  which  occurred  Arnold's  treason  to  the 
United  States. 

Virginia,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  Congress,  on  the  2d 
day  of  January,  1781,  agreed  to  yield  her  western  lands  to  the  United 
States  upon  certain  conditions,  which  Congress  would  not  accede  to,  and 
the  Act  of  Cession,  on  the  part  of  the  Old  Dominion,  failed,  nor  was 
anything  farther  done  until  1783.  During  all  that  time  the  Colonies 
were  busily  engaged  in  the  struggle  with  the  mother  country,  and  in 
consequence  thereof  but  little  heed  was  given  to  the  western  settlements. 
Upon  the  4th  of  July,  1773,  the  first  birth  north  of  the  Ohio  River  of 
American  parentage  occurred,  being  that  of  John  L.  Roth,  son  of  John 
Roth,  one  of  the  Moravian  missionaries,  whose  band  of  Christian  Indians 
suffered  in  after  years  a  horrible  massacre  by  the  hands  of  the  frontier 
settlers,  who  had  been  exasperated  by  the  murder  of  several  of  their 
neighbors,  and  in  their  rage  committed,  without  regard  to  humanity,  a 
deed  which  forever  afterward  cast  a  shade  of  shame  upon  their  lives. 
For  this  and  kindred  outrages  on  the  part  of  the  whites,  the  Indians 
committed  many  deeds  of  cruelty  Avhich  darken  the  years  of  1771  aiwi 
1772  in  the  history  of  the  Northwest. 

During  the  year  1782  a  number  of  battles  among  the  Indians  and 
frontiersmen  occurred,  and  between  the  Moravian  Indians  and  the  Wyan- 
dots.  In  these,  horrible  acts  of  cruelty  were  practised  on  the  captives, 
many  of  sucli  dark  deeds  transpiring  under  the  leadership  of  the  notorious 


THE   NOKTHWKST   TERRITORY. 


55 


frontier  outlaw,  Simon  Girty,  whose  name,  as  well  as  those  of  his  brothers, 
was  a  terror  to  women  and  children.  These  occurred  chiefly  in  the  Ohio 
valleys.  Cotemporary  with  them  were  several  engagements  in  Kentucky, 
in  wliich  the  famous  Daniel  Boone  engaged,  and  who,  often  by  his  skill 
and  knowledge  of  Indian  warfare,  saved  the  outposts  from  cruel  destruc- 


INDIANS    ATTACKING    FKONTIEKS.MEN. 

tion.  By  the  close  of  the  year  victory  had  perched  upon  the  American 
banner,  and  on  the  30th  of  November,  provisional  articles  of  peace  had 
been  arranged  between  the  Commissioners  of  England  and  her  uncon- 
querable colonies.  Cornwallis  had  been  defeated  on  the  19th  of  October 
preceding,  and  the  liberty  of  America  was  assured.  On  the  19th  of 
April   following,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  peace  was 


56  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

proclaimed  to  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  on  the  3d  of  the  next 
September,  the  definite  treaty  which  ended  our  revolutionary  struggle 
was  concluded.  By  the  terms  of  that  treaty,  the  boundaries  of  the  West 
were  as  follows :  On  the  north  the  line  was  to  extend  along  the  center  of 
the  Great  Lakes ;  from  the  western  point  of  Lake  Superior  to  Long  Lake  ; 
thence  to  the  Lake  of  the  Woods ;  thence  to  the  head  of  the  Mississippi 
River ;  down  its  center  to  the  31st  parallel  of  latitude,  then  on  that  line 
east  to  the  head  of  the  Appalachicola  River ;  down  its  center  to  its  junc- 
tion with  the  Flint ;  thence  straight  to  the  head  of  St.  Mary's  River,  and 
thence  down  aloncf  its  center  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Following  the  cessation  of  hostilities  with  England,  several  posts 
were  still  occupied  by  the  British  in  the  North  and  West.  Among  these 
was  Detroit,  still  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Numerous  engagements 
with  the  Indians  throughout  Ohio  and  Indiana  occurred,  upon  whose 
lands  adventurous  whites  would  settle  ere  the  title  had  been  acquired  by 
the  proper  treaty. 

To  remedy  this  latter  evil.  Congress  appointed  commissioners  to 
treat  with  the  natives  and  purchase  their  lands,  and  prohibited  the  set- 
tlement of  the  territory  until  this  could  be  done.  Before  the  close  of  the 
year  another  attempt  was  made  to  capture  Detroit,  which  was,  however, 
not  pushed,  and  Virginia,  no  longer  feeling  the  interest  in  the  Northwest 
she  had  formerly  done,  withdrew  her  troops,  having  on  the  20th  of 
December  preceding  authorized  the  Avhole  of  her  possessions  to  be  deeded 
to  the  United  States.  This  was  done  on  the  1st  of  March  following,  and 
the  Northwest  Territory  passed  from  the  control  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
To  Gen.  Clark  and  his  soldiers,  however,  she  gave  a  tract  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  acres  of  land,  to  be  situated  any  where  north  of  the 
Ohio  wherever  they  chose  to  locate  them.  They  selected  the  region 
opposite  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  where  is  now  the  dilapidated  village  of 
Clarksville,  about  midway  between  the  Cities  of  New  Albany  and  Jeffer- 
sonville,  Indiana. 

While  the  frontier  remained  thus,  and  Gen.  Haldimand  at  Detroit 
refused  to  evacuate  alleging  that  he  had  no  orders  from  his  King  to  do 
BO,  settlers  were  rapidly  gathering  about  the  inland  forts.  In  the  Spring 
of  1784,  Pittsburgh  was  regularly  laid  out,  and  from  the  journal  of  Arthur 
Lee,  who  passed  tlirough  the  town  soon  after  on  his  way  to  the  Indian 
council  at  Fort  Mcintosh,  we  suppose  it  was  not  very  prepossessing  in 
appearance.     He  says  : 

"  Pittsburgh  is  inhabited  almost  entirely  by  Scots  and  Irish,  who 
live  in  paltry  log  houses,  and  are  as  dirty  as  if  in  the  north  of  Ireland  or 
even  Scotland.  Tiiere  is  a  great  deal  of  trade  carried  on,  the  goods  being 
bought  at  the  vast  expense  of  forty-five  shillings  per  pound  from  Phila- 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  5( 

delpliia  and  Baltimore.  They  take  in  the  shops  flour,  wheat,  skins  and 
money.  There  are  in  the  town  four  attorneys,  two  doctors,  and  not  a 
priest  of  any  persuasion,  nor  church  nor  chapel." 

Kentucky  at  this  time  contained  thirt}''  thousand  inhabitants,  and 
was  bec^inning  to  discuss  measures  for  a  separation  from  Virginia.  A 
land  office  was  opened  at  Louisville,  and  measures  were  adopted  to  take 
defensive  precaution  against  the  Indians  who  were  yet,  in  some  instances, 
incited  to  deeds  of  violence  by  the  British.  Before  the  close  of  this  year, 
1784,  the  military  claimants  of  land  began  to  occupy  them,  although  no 
entries  were  recorded  until  1787. 

The  Indian  title  to  the  Northwest  was  not  yet  extinguished.  They 
held  large  tracts  of  lands,  and  in  order  to  prevent  bloodshed  Congress 
adopted  means  for  treaties  with  the  original  owners  and  provided  for  the 
surveys  of  the  lands  gained  thereby,  as  well  as  for  those  north  of  the 
Ohio,  now  in  its  possession.  On  January  31,  1786,  a  treaty  was  made 
with  the  Wabash  Indians.  The  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  had  been  made 
in  1784.  That  at  Fort  Mcintosh  in  1785,  and  through  these  much  land 
was  gained.  The  Wabash  Indians,  however,  afterward  refused  to  comply 
with  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  made  with  them,  and  in  order  to  compel 
their  adherence  to  its  provisions,  force  was  used.  During  the  year  1786, 
the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  came  up  in  Congress,  and  caused 
various  discussions,  which  resulted  in  no  definite  action,  only  serving  to 
excite  speculation  in  regard  to  the  western  lands.  Congress  had  promised 
bounties  of  land  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  but  owing  to  the 
unsettled  condition  of  affairs  along  the  Mississippi  respecting  its  naviga- 
tion, and  the  trade  of  the  Northwest,  that  body  had,  in  1783,  declared 
its  inability  to  fulfill  these  promises  until  a  treaty  could  be  concluded 
between  the  two  Governments.  Before  the  close  of  the  year  1786,  how- 
ever, it  was  able,  through  the  treaties  with  the  Indians,  to  allow  some 
grants  and  the  settlement  thereon,  and  on  the  14th  of  September  Con- 
necticut ceded  to  the  General  Government  the  tract  of  land  known  as 
the  "  Connecticut  Reserve,"  and  before  the  close  of  the  following  year  a 
large  tract  of  land  north  of  the  Ohio  was  sold  to  a  company,  who  at  once 
took  measures  to  settle  it.  By  the  provisions  of  this  grant,  the  company 
were  to  pay  the  United  States  one  dollar  per  acre,  subject  to  a  deduction 
of  one-third  for  bad  lands  and  other  contingencies.  They  received 
750,000  acres,  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  Ohio,  on  the  east  by  the 
seventh  range  of  townships,  on  the  west  by  the  sixteenth  range,  and  on 
the  north  by  a  line  so  drawn  as  to  make  the  grant  complete  without 
the  reservations.  In  addition  to  this.  Congress  afterward  granted  100,000 
acres  to  actual  settlers,  and  214,285  acres  as  army  bounties  under  the 
resolutions  of  1789  and  1790. 


58 


THE    NORTHWEST    TERRITORY. 


While  Dr.  Cutler,  one  of  the  agents  of  the  company,  was  pressing 
its  claims  before  Congress,  that  body  was  bringing  into  form  an  ordinance 
for  the  political  and  social  organization  of  this  Territory.  When  the 
cession  was  made  by  Virginia,  in  1784,  a  plan  was  offered,  but  rejected. 
A  motion  had  been  made  to  strike  from  the  proposed  plan  the  prohibition 
of  slavery,  which  prevailed.  The  plan  was  then  discussed  and  altered, 
and  finally  passed  unanimously,  with  the  exception  of  South  Carolina. 
By  this  proposition,  the  Territory  was  to  have  been  divided  into  states 


i'B£Si::\T   felTK   OF   I^VKE    STREET   BKIDGK,    CHICAGO,    IN    1S33. 


by  parallels  and  meridian  lines.  This,  it  was  thought,  would  make  ten 
states,  which  were  to  have  been  named  as  follows  —  beginning  at  the 
northwest  corner  and  going  southwardly :  Sylvania,  Michigania,  Cher- 
sonesus,  Assenisipia,  Metropotamia,  Illenoia,  Saratoga,  Washington,  Poly- 
potamia  and  Pelisipia. 

There  was  a  more  serious  objection  to  this  plan  than  its  category  of 
names, —  the  boundaries.  The  root  of  the  difficulty  was  in  the  resolu- 
tion of  Congress  passed  in  October,  1780,  which  fixed  the  boundaries 
of  the  ceded  lands  to  be  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY.  59 

square.  These  resolutions  being  presented  to  the  Legislatures  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Massachusetts,  they  desired  a  change,  and  in  July,  1786,  the 
subject  was  taken  up  in  Congress,  and  changed  to  favor  a  division  into 
not  more  than  five  states,  and  not  less  than  three.  This  was  approved  by 
the  State  Legislature  of  Virginia.  The  subject  of  the  Government  was 
again  taken  up  by  Congress  in  1786,  and  discussed  throughout  that  year 
and  until  July,  1787,  when  the  famous  "Compact  of  1787"  was  passed, 
and  the  foundation  of  the  government  of  the  Northwest  laid.  This  com- 
pact is  fully  discussed  and  explained  in  the  history  of  Illinois  in  this  book, 
and  to  it  the  reader  is  referred. 

The  passage  of  this  act  and  the  grant  to  the  New  England  Company 
was  soon  followed  by  an  application  to  the  Government  by  John  Clevcs 
Symmes,  of  New  Jersey,  for  a  grant  of  the  land  between  the  Miamis. 
This  gentleman  had  visited  these  lands  soon  after  the  treaty  of  1786,  and, 
being  greatly  pleased  with  them,  offered  similar  terms  to  those  given  to  the 
New  England  Company.  The  petition  was  referred  to  the  Treasury 
Board  with  power  to  act,  and  a  contract  was  concluded  the  following 
year.  During  the  Autumn  the  directors  of  the  New  England  Company 
were  preparing  to  occupy  their  grant  the  following  Spring,  and  upon  the 
23d  of  November  made  arrangements  for  a  party  of  forty-seven  men, 
under  the  superintendency  of  Gen.  Rufus  Putnam,  to  set  forward.  Six 
boat-builders  were  to  leave  at  once,  and  on  the  first  of  January  the  sur- 
veyors and  their  assistants,  twenty-six  in  number,  were  to  meet  at  Hart- 
ford and  proceed  on  their  journey  westward ;  the  remainder  to  follow  as 
soon  as  possil)le.  Congress,  in  the  meantime,  upon  the  8d  of  October, 
had  ordered  seven  hundred  troops  for  defense  of  the  western  settlers,  and 
to  prevent  unauthorized  intrusions  ;  and  two  days  later  appointed  Arthur 
St.  Clair  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  the  Northwest. 

AMERICAN  SETTLEMENTS. 

The  civil  organization  of  the  Northwest  Territory  was  now  com- 
plete, and  notwithstanding  the  uncertainty  of  Indian  affairs,  settlers  from 
the  East  began  to  come  into  the  country  rapidly.  The  New  England 
Company  sent  their  men  during  the  Winter  of  1787-8  pressing  on  over 
the  Alleghenies  by  the  old  Indian  path  which  had  been  opened  into 
Braddock's  road,  and  which  has  since  been  made  a  national  turnpike 
from  Cumberland  westward.  Through  the  weary  winter  days  they  toiled 
on,  and  by  April  were  all  gathered  on  the  Yohiogany,  where  boats  had 
been  built,  and  at  once  started  for  the  Muskingum.  Here  they  arrived 
on  the  7th  of  that  month,  and  unless  the  Moravian  missionaries  be  regarded 
as  the  pioneers  of  Ohio,  this  little  band  can  justly  claim  that  honor. 


60 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


Gen.  St.  Clair,  the  appointed  Governor  of  the  Northwest,  not  having 
yet  arrived,  a  set  of  laws  were  passed,  written  out,  and  published  by 
being  nailed  to  a  tree  in  the  embryo  town,  and  Jonathan  Meigs  appointed 
to  administer  them. 

Washington  in  writing  of  this,  the  first  American  settlement  in  the 
Northwest,  said :  "  No  colony  in  America  was  ever  settled  under 
such  favorable  auspices  as  that  which  has  just  commenced  at  Muskingum. 
Information,  property  and  strength  will  be  its  characteristics.  I  know 
many  of  its  settlers  personally,  and  there  never  were  men  better  calcu- 
lated to  promote  the  welfare  of  such  a  community." 


'  '•  '  d-Ji^^fcT-sTt 


-•"^K*^ 


A    riONEER    DWELLING. 


On  the  2d  of  July  a  meeting  of  the  directors  and  agents  was  held 
on  the  banks  of  the  Muskingum,  "  for  the  purpose  of  naming  the  new- 
born city  and  its  squares."  As  yet  the  settlement  was  known  as  the 
"Muskingum,"  but  that  was  now  changed  to  the  name  Marietta,  in  honor 
of  Marie  Antoinette.  The  square  upon  which  the  block -houses  stood 
was  called  '■'Campus  Martins ;''  square  number  19,  ''■  Capitolium ;'"'  square 
number  Gl,  '■'•  Cecilia  T  and  the  great  road  through  the  covert  way,  "•  Sacra 

Via"  Two  days  after,  an  oration  was  delivered  by  James  M.  Varnum, 
who  with  S.  H.  Parsons  and  John  Armstrong  had  been  appointed  to  the 
judicial  bench  of  the  territory  on  the  IGth  of  October,  1787.  On  July  0, 
Gov.  St.  Clair  arrived,  and  the  colony  began   to  assume  form.     The  act 

of  1787  provided  two  district  grades  of  government  for  the  Northwest, 


THE  NORTFTWEST  TERRITORY.  61 

under  the  first  of  which  the  whole  power  was  invested  in  the  hands  of  a 
governor  and  three  district  judges.  This  was  immediately  formed  upon 
the  Governor's  arrival,  and  the  first  laws  of  the  colony  passed  on  the  25th 
of  July.  These  provided  for  the  organization  of  the  militia,  and  on  the 
next  day  appeared  the  Governor's  proclamation,  erecting  all  that  country 
that  had  been  ceded  by  the  Indians  east  of  the  Scioto  River.into  the 
County  of  Washington.  From  that  time  forward,  notwithstanding  the 
doubts  yet  existing  as  to  the  Indians,  all  Marietta  prospered,  and  on  the 
2d  of  September  the  first  court  of  the  territory  was  held  with  imposing 
ceremonies. 

The  emigration  westward  at  this  time  was  very  great.  Tlie  com- 
mander at  Fort  Harmer,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  reported  four 
thousand  five  hundred  persons  as  having  passed  that  post  between  Feb- 
ruary and  June,  1788  —  many  of  whom  would  have  purchased  of  the 
"Associates,"  as  the  New  England  Company  was  called,  had  they  been 
read}'  to  receive  them. 

On  the  26tli  of  November,  1787,  Symmes  issued  a  pamphlet  stating 
the  terms  of  his  contract  and  the  plan  of  sale  he  intended  to  adopt.  In 
January,  1788,  Matthias  Denman,  of  New  Jersey,  took  an  active  interest 
in  Symmes'  purchase,  and  located  among  other  tracts  the  sections  upon 
which  Cincinnati  has  been  built.  Retaining  one-third  of  this  locality,  he 
sold  the  other  two-thirds  to  Robert  Patterson  and  John  Filson,  and  the 
three,  about  August,  commenced  to  lay  out  a  town  on  the  spot,  which 
was  designated  as  being  opposite  Licking  River,  to  the  mouth  of  which 
they  proposed  to  have  a  road  cut  from  Lexington.  The  naming  of  the 
town  is  thus  narrated  in  the  "Western  Annals  "  :— "  Mr.  Filson,  who  had 
been  a  schoolmaster,  was  appointed  to  name  the  town,  and,  in  respect  to 
its  situation,  and  as  if  with  a  prophetic  perception  of  the  mixed  race  that 
were  to  inhabit  it  in  after  days,  he  named  it  Losantiville,  which,  being 
interpreted,  means  :  ville,  the  town  ;  anti,  against  or  opposite  to  ;  os,  the 
mouth  ;  L.  of  Licking." 

Meanwhile,  in  July,  Symmes  got  thirty  persons  and  eight  four-horse 
teams  under  way  for  the  West.  These  reached  Limestone  (now  Mays- 
ville)  in  September,  where  were  several  persons  from  Redstone.  Here 
Mr.  Symmes  tried  to  found  a  settlement,  but  the  great  freshet  of  1789 
caused  the  "  Point,"  as  it  was  and  is  yet  called,  to  be  fifteen  feet  under 
water,  and  the  settlement  to  be  abandoned.  The  little  band  of  settlers 
removed  to  the  mouth  of  the  Miami.  Before  Symmes  and  his  colony  left 
the  "  Point,"  two  settlements  had  been  made  on  his  purchase.  The  first 
was  by  Mr.  Stiltes,  the  original  projector  of  the  whole  plan,  who,  with  a 
colony  of  Redstone  people,  had  located  at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami, 
whither   Svmmes  went  with  his  IVfaysville  colony.     Here  a  clearing  had 


62 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


been  made  by  the  Indians  owing  to  the  great  fertility  of  the  soil.  Mr. 
Stiltes  with  his  colony  came  to  this  place  on  the  18th  of  November,  1788, 
with  twenty-six  persons,  and,  building  a  block-house,  prepared  to  remain 
through  the  Winter.  They  named  the  settlement  Columbia.  Here  they 
were  kindly  treated  by  the  Indians,  but  suffered  greatly  from  the  flood 
of  1789, 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1789,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
went  into  operation,  and  on  April  30,  George  Washington  was  inaug- 
urated President  of  the  American  people,  and  during  the  next  Summer, 
an  Indian  war  was  commenced  by  the  tribes  north  of  the  Ohio.  The 
President  at  first  used  pacific  means ;  but  these  failing,  he  sent  General 
Harmer  against  the  hostile  tribes.     He  destroyed  several  villages,  but 


LAIvE  BLUTF 
The  frontage  of  Lake  Bluff  Grounds  on  Lake  Michigan,  with  one  hundred  and  seventy  feet  of  gradual  ascent. 

was  defeated  in  two  battles,  near  the  present  City  of  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana.  From  this  time  till  the  close  of  1795,  the  principal  events  were 
the  wars  with  the  various  Indian  tribes.  In  1796,  General  St.  Clair 
was  appointed  in  command,  and  marched  against  the  Indians  ;  but  while 
he  was  encamped  on  a  stream,  the  St.  Mary,  a  branch  of  the  Mauraee, 
he  was  attacked  and  defeated  with  the  loss  of  six  hundred  n\en. 

General  Wayne  was  now  sent  against  the  savages.  In  August,  1794, 
he  met  them  near  the  rapids  of  the  Maumee,  and  gained  a  complete 
victory.  This  success,  followed  by  vigorous  measures,  compelled  the 
Indians  to  sue  for  peace,  and  on  the  30th  of  July,  the  following  year,  the 
treaty  of  Greenville  was  signed  by  the  principal  chiefs,  by  which  a  large 
tract  of  country  was  ceded  to  the  United  States. 

Before  proceeding  in  our  narrative,  we  will  pause  to  notice  Fort 
Washington,  erected  in  the  early  part  of  this  war  on  the  site  of  Cincinnati. 
Nearly   all   of   the   great   cities  of   the  Northwest,  and  indeed  of    the 


THE  NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  63 

whole  country,  have  had  their  nuclei  in  those  rude  pioneer  structures, 
known  as  forts  or  stockades.  Thus  Forts  Dearborn,  Washington,  Pon- 
chartrain,  mark  the  original  sites  of  the  now  proud  Cities  of  Chicago, 
Cincinnati  and  Detroit.  So  of  most  of  the  flourishing  cities  east  and  west 
of  the  Mississippi.  Fort  Washington,  erected  by  Doughty  in  1790,  was  a 
rude  but  highly  interesting  structure.  It  was  composed  o^  a  number  of 
strongly-built  hewed  log  cabins.  Those  designed  for  soldiers'  barracks 
were  a  story  and  a  half  high,  while  those  composing  the  officers  quarters 
were  more  imposing  and  more  conveniently  arranged  and  furnished. 
The  whole  were  so  placed  as  to  form  a  hollow  square,  enclosing  about  an 
acre  of  ground,  with  a  block  house  at  each  of  the  four  angles. 

The  logs  for  the  construction  of  this  fort  were  cut  from  the  ground 
upon  which  it  was  erected.  It  stood  between  Third  and  Fourth  Streets 
of  the  present  city  (Cincinnati)  extending  east  of  Eastern  Row,  now 
Broadway,  which  was  then  a  narrow  alley,  and  the  eastern  boundary  of 
of  the  town  as  it  was  originally  laid  out.  On  the  bank  of  the  river, 
immediately  in  front  of  the  fort,  was  an  appendage  of  the  fort,  called  the 
Artificer's  Yard.  It  contained  about  two  acres  of  ground,  enclosed  by 
small  contiguous  buildings,  occupied  by  workshops  and  quarters  of 
laborers.  Within  this  enclosure  there  was  a  large  two-story  frame  house, 
familiarly  called  the  "  Yellow  House,"  built  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  Quartermaster  General.  For  many  years  this  was  the  best  finished 
and  most  commodious  edifice  in  the  Queen  City.  Fort  Washington  was 
for  some  time  the  headquarters  of  both  the  civil  and  military  governments 
of  the  Northwestern  Territory. 

Following  the  consummation  of  the  treaty  various  gigantic  land  spec- 
ulations were  entered  into  by  different  persons,  who  hoped  to  obtain 
from  the  Indians  in  Michigan  and  northern  Indiana,  large  tracts  of  lands. 
These  were  generally  discovered  in  time  to  prevent  the  outrageous 
schemes  from  being  carried  out,  and  from  involving  the  settlers  in  war. 
On  October  27,  1795,  the  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  Spain 
was  signed,  whereby  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  was  secured. 

No  sooner  had  the  treaty  of  1795  been  ratified  than  settlements  began 
to  pour  rapidly  into  the  West.  The  great  event  of  the  year  1796  was  the 
occupation  of  that  part  of  the  Northwest  including  Michigan,  which  was 
this  year,  under  the  provisions  of  the  treaty,  evacuated  by  the  British 
forces.  The  United  States,  owing  to  certain  conditions,  did  not  feel 
justified  in  addressing  the  authorities  in  Canada  in  relation  to  Detroit 
and  other  frontier  posts.  When  at  last  the  British  authorities  were 
called  to  give  them  up,  they  at  once  complied,  and  General  Wayne,  who 
had  done  so  much  to  preserve  the  frontier  settlements,  and  who,  before 
the    year's    close,  sickened   and  died  near  Erie,  transferred  his  head- 


64 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


quarters  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  lakes,  where  a  county  named  after 
him  was  formed,  which  included  the  northwest  of  Ohio,  all  of  Michigan, 
and  the  northeast  of  Indiana.  During  this  same  year  settlements  were 
formed  at  the  present  City  of  Chillicothe,  along  the  Miami  from  Middle- 
town  to  Piqua,  while  in  the  more  distant  West,  settlers  and  speculators 
began  to  appear  in  great  numbers.  In  September,  the  City  of  Cleveland 
was  laid  out,  and  during  the  Summer  and  Autumn,  Samuel  Jackson  and 
Jonathan  Sharpless  erected  the  first  manufactory  of  paper — the  "  Red- 
stone Paper  Mill" — in  the  West.  St.  Louis  contained  some  seventy 
houses,  and  Detroit  over  three  hundred,  and  along  the  river,  contiguous 
to  it,  were  more  than  three  thousand  inhabitants,  mostly  French  Canadians, 
Indians  and  half-breeds,  scarcely  any  Americans  venturing  yet  into  that 
part  of  the  Northwest. 

The  election  of  representatives  for  the  territory  had  taken  place, 
and  on  the  4th  of  February,  1799,  they  convened  at  Losantiville  —  now 
known  as  Cincinnati,  having  been  named  so  by  Gov.  St.  Clair,  and 
considered  the  capital  of  the  Territory — to  nominate  persons  from  whom 
the  members  of  the  Legislature  were  to  be  chosen  in  accordance  with 
a  previous  ordinance.  This  nomination  being  made,  the  Assembly 
adjourned  until  the  16th  of  the  following  September.  From  those  named 
the  President  selected  as  members  of  the  council,  Henry  Vandenburg, 
of  Vincennes,  Robert  Oliver,  of  Marietta,  James  Findlay  and  Jacob 
Burnett,  of  Cincinnati,  and  David  Vance,  of  Vanceville.  On  the  16th 
of  September  the  Territorial  Legislature  met,  and  on  the  24th  the  two 
houses  were  duly  organized,  Henry  Vandenburg  being  elected  President 
of  the  Council. 

The  message  of  Gov.  St.  Clair  was  addressed  to  the  Legislature 
September  20th,  and  on  October  13th  that  body  elected  as  a  delegate  to 
Congress  Gen.  Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  who  received  eleven  of  the  votes 
cast,  being  a  majority  of  one  over  his  opponent,  Arthur  St.  Clair,  son  of 
Gen.  St.  Clair. 

The  whole  number  of  acts  passed  at  this  session,  and  approved  by 
the  Governor,  were  thirty-seven — eleven  others  were  passed,  but  received 
his  veto.  The  most  important  of  those  passed  related  to  the  militia,  to 
the  administration,  and  to  taxation.  On  the  19th  of  December  this  pro- 
tracted session  of  the  first  Legislature  in  the  West  was  closed,  and  on  the 
30th  of  December  the  President  nominated  Charles  Willing  Bryd  to  the 
office  of  Secretary  of  the  Territory  vice  Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  elected  to 
Congress.     The  Senate  confirmed  his  nomination  the  next  day. 


THE  NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  66 


DIVISION   OF  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

The  increased  emicrration  to  the  Northwest,  the  extent  of  the  domain, 
and  the  inconvenient  modes  of  travel,  made  it  very  difficult  to  conduct 
the  ordinary  operations  of  government,  and  rendered  the  efficient  action 
of  courts  almost  impossible.  To  remedy  this,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to 
divide  the  territory  for  civil  purposes.  Congress,  in  1800,  appointed  a 
committee  to  examine  the  question  and  report  some  means  for  its  solution. 
This  committee,  on  the  3d  of  March,  reported  that : 

"  In  the  three  western  countries  there  has  been  but  one  court  having 
cognizance  of  crimes,  in  five  years,  and  the  immunity  which  offenders 
experience  attracts,  as  to  an  asylum,  the  most  vile  and  abandoned  crim- 
inals, and  at  the  same  time  deters  useful  citizens  from  making  settlements 
in  such  societ3%  The  extreme  necessity  of  judiciary  attention  and  assist- 
ance is  experienced  in  civil  as  well  as  in  criminal  cases.  *  *  *  *  Xo 
minister  a  remedy  to  these  and  other  evils,  it  occurs  to  this  committee 
that  it  is  expedient  that  a  division  of  said  territory  into  two  distinct  and 
separate  governments  should  be  made  ;  and  that  such  division  be  made 
by  a  line  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  River,  running 
directly  north  until  it  intersects  the  boundary  between  the  United  States 
and  Canada." 

The  report  was  accepted  by  Congress,  and,  in  accordance  with  its 
suggestions,  that  body  passed  an  Act  extinguishing  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory, which  Act  was  approved  May  7.     Among  its  provisions  were  these  : 

"  That  from  and  after  July  4  next,  all  that  part  of  the  Territory  of 
the  United  States  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River,  which  lies  to  the  westward 
of  a  line  beginning  at  a  point  on  the  Ohio,  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Kentucky  River,  and  running  thence  to  Fort  Recovery,  and  thence  north 
until  it  shall  intersect  the  territorial  line  between  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  shall,  for  the  purpose  of  temporary  government,  constitute  a 
separate  territory,  and  be  called  the  Indiana  Territory." 

After  providing  for  the  exercise  of  the  civil  and  criminal  powers  of 
the  territories,  and  other  provisions,  the  Act  further  provides : 

"  That  until  it  sliall  otherwise  be  ordered  by  the  Legislatures  of  the 
said  Territories,  respectively,  Chillicothe  on  the  Scioto  River  shall  be  the 
seat  of  government  of  tliu  Territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River ;  and  that  St.  Vincennes  on  the  Wabash  River  shall  be  the 
seat  of  government  for  the  Indiana  Territory." 

Gen.  Wm.  Henry  Harrison  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  Indiana 
Territory,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  about  a  j-ear  later.  Connecticut 
also  about  this  time  released  her  claims  to  the  reserve,  and  in  March  a  law 


60  THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY. 

was  passed  accepting  this  cession.  Settlements  had  been  made  upon 
thirty-five  of  the  townships  in  the  reserve,  mills  had  been  built,  and  seven 
hundred  miles  of  road  cut  in  various  directions.  On  the  3d  of  November 
the  General  Assembly  met  at  Chillicothe.  Near  the  close  of  the  year, 
the  first  missionary  of  the  Connecticut  Reserve  came,  who  found  no 
township  containing  more  than  eleven  families.  It  was  upon  the  first  of 
October  that  the  secret  treaty  had  been  made  between  Napoleon  and  the 
King  of  Spain,  whereby  the  latter  agreed  to  cede  to  France  the  province 
of  Louisiana, 

In  January,  1802,  the  Assembly  of  the  Northwestern  Territory  char- 
tered the  college  at  Athens.  .  From  the  earliest  dawn  of  the  western 
colonies,  education  was  promptly  provided  for,  and  as  early  as  1787, 
newspapers  were  issued  from  Pittsburgh  and  Kentucky,  and  largely  read 
throughout  the  frontier  settlements.  Before  the  close  of  this  year,  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  granted  to  the  citizens  of  the  Northwestern 
territory  the  formation  of  a  State  government.  One  of  the  provisions  of 
the  "compact  of  1787"  provided  that  whenever  the  number  of  inhabit- 
ants within  prescribed  limits  exceeded  45,000,  they  should  be  entitled  to 
a  separate  government.  The  prescribed  limits  of  Ohio  contained,  from  a 
census  taken  to  ascertain  the  legality  of  the  act,  more  than  that  number, 
and  on  the  30th  of  April,  1802,  Congress  passed  the  act  defining  its  limits, 
and  on  the  29th  of  November  the  Constitution  of  the  new  State  of  Ohio, 
so  named  from  the  beautiful  river  forming  its  southern  boundary,  came 
into  existence.  The  exact  limits  of  Lake  Michigan  were  not  then  known, 
but  the  territory  now  included  within  the  State  of  Michigan  was  wholly 
within  the  territory  of  Indiana. 

Gen.  Harrison,  while  residing  at  Vincennes,  made  several  treaties 
witli  the  Indians,  thereby  gaining  large  tracts  of  lands.  The  next  year  is 
memorable  in  the  history  of  the  West  for  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  from 
France  by  the  United  States  for  $15,000,000.  Thus  by  a  peaceful  mode, 
the  domain  of  the  United  States  was  extended  over  a  large  tract  of 
country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  was  for  a  time  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Northwest  government,  and,  as  has  been  mentioned  in  the  earl}- 
part  of  this  narrative,  was  called  the  "New  Northwest.''  The  limits 
of  this  history  will  not  allow  a  description  of  its  territory.  The  same  year 
large  grants  of  land  were  obtained  from  the  Indians,  and  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  new  State  of  Ohio  signed  a  bill  respecting  the 
College  Township  in  tlie  district  of  Cincinnati. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year.  Gen.  Harrison  obtained  additional 
grants  of  lands  from  the  various  Lidian  nations  in  Indiana  and  the  present 
limits  of  Illinois,  and  on  the  18th  of  August,  1804,  completed  a  treaty  at 
St.  Louis,  whereby  over  51,000,000  acres  of  lands  were  obtained  from  the 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


aborigines.     Measures  were  also  taken  to  learn  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
and  about  Detroit. 

C.  Jouett,  the  Indian  agent  in  Michigan,  still  a  part  of  Indiana  Terri- 
tory, reported  as  follows  upon  the  condition  of  matters  at  that  post : 

"  The  Town  of  Detroit. — The  charter,  which  is  for  fifteen  miles 
square,  was  granted  in  the  time  of  Louis  XIV.  of  France,  and  is  now, 
from  the  best  information  I  have  been  able  to  get,  at  Quebec.  Of  those 
two  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres,  only  four  are  occupied  by  the  town 
and  Fort  Lenault.  The  remainder  is  a  common,  except  twenty-four 
acres,  which  were  added  twenty  years  ago  to  a  farm  belonging  to  Wm. 
Macomb.  *  *  *  A  stockade  incloses  the  town,  fort  and  citadel.  The 
pickets,  as  well  as  the  public  houses,  are  in  a  state  of  gradual  decay.  The 
streets  are  narrow,  straight  and  regular,  and  intersect  each  other  at  right 
angles.     The  houses  are,  for  the  most  part,  low  and  inelegant." 

During  this  year,  Congress  granted  a  township  of  land  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  college,  and  began  to  offer  inducements  for  settlers  in  these 
wilds,  and  the  country  now  comprising  the  State  of  Michigan  began  to 
fill  rapidly  with  settlers  along  its  southern  borders.  This  same  year,  also, 
a  law  was  passed  organizing  the  Southwest  Territory,  dividing  it  into  two 
portions,  the  Territory  of  New  Orleans,  which  city  was  made  the  seat  of 
government,  and  the  District  of  Louisiana,  which  was  annexed  to  the 
domain  of  Gen.  Harrison. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  1805,  the  Territory  of  Michigan  was  formed, 
Wm.  Hull  was  appointed  governor,  with  headquarters  at  Detroit,  the 
change  to  take  effect  on  June  30.  On  the  11th  of  that  month,  a  fire 
occurred  at  Detroit,  which  destro3^ed  almost  every  building  in  the  place. 
When  the  officers  of  the  new  territory  reached  the  post,  they  found  it  in 
ruins,  and  the  inhabitants  scattered  throughout  the  country.  Rebuild- 
ing, however,  soon  commenced,  and  ere  long  the  town  contained  more 
houses  than  before  the  fire,  and  many  of  them  much  better  built. 

While  this  was  being  done,  Indiana  had  passed  to  the  second  grade 
of  government,  and  through  her  General  Assembly  had  obtained  large 
tracts  of  land  from  the  Indian  tribes.  To  all  this  the  celebrated  Indian, 
Tecumthe  or  Tecumseh,  vigorously  protested,  and  it  was  the  main  cause 
of  his  attempts  to  unite  the  various  Indian  tribes  in  a  conflict  with  the 
settlers.  To  obtain  a  full  account  of  these  attempts,  the  workings  of  the 
British,  and  the  signal  failure,  culminating  in  the  death  of  Tecumseh  at 
the  battle  of  the  Thames,  and  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812  in  the  Northwest, 
we  will  step  aside  in  our  story,  and  relate  the  principal  events  of  his  life, 
and  his  connection  with  this  conflict. 


6^ 


THE  NOKTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


TECUMSEII,  TUE  SHAWAIfOE  CHIEFTAIN. 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  69 


TECUMSEH,  AND  THE  WAR  OF  1812. 

This  famous  Indian  chief  was  born  about  the  year  1768,  not  far  from 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  His  father,  Puckeshinwa, 
was  a  member  of  the  Kisopok  tribe  of  the  Swanoese  nation,  and  his 
mother,  Methontaske,  was  a  member  of  the  Turtle  tribe  of  the  same 
people.  They  removed  from  Florida  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century 
to  the  birthplace  of  Tecumseh.  In  1774,  his  father,  who  had  risen  to  be 
chief,  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  and  not  long  after  Tecum- 
seh, by  his  bravery,  became  the  leader  of  his  tribe.  In  1795  he  was 
declared  chief,  and  then  lived  at  Deer  Creek,  near  the  site  of  the 
present  City  of  Urbana.  He  remained  here  about  one  year,  when  he 
returned  to  Piqua,  and  in  1798,  he  went  to  White  River,  Indiana.  In 
1805,  he  and  his  brother,  Laulewasikan  (Open  Door),  who  had  announced 
himself  as  a  prophet,  went  to  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Wabasli  River,  given 
them  by  the  Pottawatomies  and  Kickapoos.  From  this  date  the  chief 
comes  into  prominence.  He  was  now  about  thirty-seven  years  of  age, 
was  five  feet  and  ten  inches  in  height,  was  stoutly  built,  and  possessed  of 
enormous  powers  of  endurance.  His  countenance  was  naturally  pleas- 
ing, and  he  was^,  in  general,  devoid  of  those  savage  attributes  possessed 
by  most  Indians.  It  is  stated  he  could  read  and  write,  and  had  a  confi- 
dential secretary  and  adviser,  named  Billy  Caldwell,  a  half-breed,  who 
afterward  became  chief  of  the  Pottawatomies.  He  occupied  the  first 
house  built  on  the  site  of  Chicago.  At  this  time,  Tecumseh  entered 
upon  the  great  work  of  his  life.  He  had  long  objected  to  the  grants  of 
land  made  by  the  Indians  to  the  whites,  and  determined  to  unite  all  the 
Indian  tribes  into  a  league,  in  order  that  no  treaties  or  grants  of  land 
could  be  made  save  by  the  consent  of  this  confederation. 

He  traveled  constantly,  going  from  north  to  south  ;  from  the  south 
to  the  north,  everywhere  urging  the  Indians  to  this  step.  He  was  a 
matchless  orator,  and  his  burning  words  had  their  effect. 

Gen.  Harrison,  then  Governor  of  Indiana,  by  watching  the  move- 
ments of  the  Indians,  became  convinced  that  a  grand  conspiracy  was 
forming,  and  made  preparations  to  defend  the  settlements.  Tecumseh's 
plan  was  similar  to  Pontiac's,  elsewhere  described,  and  to  the  cunning 
artifice  of  that  chieftain  was  added  his  own  sagacity. 

During  the  year  1809,  Tecumseh  and  the  prophet  were  actively  pre- 
paring for  the  work.  In  that  year.  Gen.  Harrison  entered  into  a  treaty 
with  the  Delawares,  Kickapoos,  Pottawatomies,  Miamis,  Eel  River  Indians 
and  Weas,  in  which  these  tribes  ceded  to  the  whites  certain  lands  upon 
the  Wabash,  to  all  of  which  Tecumseh  entered  a  bitter  protest,  averriing 


*J0  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

as  one  principal  reason  that  he  did  not  want  the  Indians  to  give  up  any 
lands  north  and  west  of  the  Ohio  River. 

Tecuraseh,  in  August,  1810,  visited  the  General  at  Vincennes  and 
held  a  council  relating  to  the  grievances  of  the  Indians.  Becoming  unduly 
ann-rv  at  this  conference  he  was  dismissed  from  the  village,  and  soon  after 
departed  to  incite  the  southern  Indian  tribes  to  the  conflict. 

Gen.  Harrison  determined  to  move  upon  the  chief's  headquarters  at 
Tippecanoe,  and  for  this  purpose  went  about  sixty-five  miles  up  the 
Wabash,  where  he  built  Fort  Harrison.  From  this  place  he  went  to  the 
prophet's  town,  where  he  informed  the  Indians  he  had  no  hostile  inten- 
tions, provided  they  were  true  to  the  existing  treaties.  He  encamped 
near  the  village  early  in  October,  and  on  the  morning  of  November  7,  he 
was  attacked  by  a  large  force  of  the  Indians,  and  the  famous  battle  of 
Tippecanoe  occurred.  The  Indians  were  routed  and  their  town  broken 
up.  Tecumseh  returning  not  long  after,  was  greatly  exasperated  at  his 
brother,  the  prophet,  even  threatening  to  kill  him  for  rashly  precipitating 
the  war,  and  foiling  his  (Tecumseh's)  plans. 

Tecumseh  sent  word  to  Gen.  Harrison  that  he  was  now  returned 
from  the  South,  and  was  ready  to  visit  the  President  as  had  at  one  time 
previously  been  proposed.  Gen.  Harrison  informed  him  he  could  not  go 
as  a  chief,  which  method  Tecumseh  desired,  and  the  visit  was  never 

made. 

In  June  of  the  following  year,  he  visited  the  Indian  agent  at 
Fort  Wayne.  Here  he  disavowed  any  intention  to  make  a  war  against 
the  United  States,  and  reproached  Gen.  Harrison  for  marching  against  his 
people.  The  agent  replied  to  this  ;  Tecumseh  listened  with  a  cold  indif- 
ference, and  after  making  a  few  general  remarks,  with  a  haughty  air  drew 
his  blanket  about  him,  left  the  council  house,  and  departed  for  Fort  Mai- 
den, in  Upper  Canada,  where  he  joined  the  British  standard. 

He  remained  under  this  Government,  doing  effective  work  for  the 
Crown  while  engaged  in  the  war  of  1812  which  now  opened.  He  was, 
however,  always  humane  in  his  treatment  of  the  prisoners,  never  allow- 
ing his  Avarriors  to  ruthlessly  mutilate  the  bodies  of  those  slain,  or  wan- 
tonly murder  the  captive. 

In  the  Summer  of  1813,  Perry's  victory  on  Lake  Erie  occurred,  and 
shortly  after  active  preparations  were  made  to  capture  Maiden.  On  the 
27th  of  September,  the  American  army,  under  Gen.  Harrison,  set  sail  for 
the  shores  of  Canada,  and  in  a  few  hours  stood  around  the  ruins  of  Mai- 
den, from  which  the  British  army,  under  Proctor,  had  retreated  to  Sand- 
wich, intending  to  make  its  way  to  the  heart  of  Canada  by  the  Valley  of 
the  Thames.  On  the  20th  Gen.  Harrison  was  at  Sandwich,  and  Gen„ 
Mc Arthur  took  possession  of  Detroit  and  the  territory  of  Michigan. 


THE   NORTriWEST   TERRITORY. 


71 


On  the  2d  of  October,  the  Americans  began  their  pursuit  of  Proctor, 
whom  they  overtook  on  the  5th,  and  the  battle  of  the  Thames  followed. 
Early  in  the  engagement,  Tecumseh  who  was  at  the  liead  of  the  column 
of  Indians  was  slain,  and  they,  no  longer  hearing  the  voice  of  their  chief- 
tain, fled.  The  victory  was  decisive,  and  practically  closed  the  war  in 
the  Northwest. 


INDIANS   ATTACKING   A    STOCKADE. 


Just  who  killed  the  great  chief  has  been  a  matter  of  much  dispute  ; 
but  the  weight  of  opinion  awards  the  act  to  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson, 
who  fired  at  him  with  a  pistol,  the  shot  proving  fatal. 

In  1805  occurred  Burr's  Insurrection.  He  took  possession  of  a 
beautiful  island  in  the  Ohio,  after  the  killing  of  Hamilton,  and  is  charged 
by  many  with  attempting  to  set  up  an  independent  government.  His 
plans  were  frustrated  by  the  general  government,  his  property  confiscated 
and  he  was  compelled  to  flee  the  country  for  safety. 


tj2  THE    NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

In  January,  1807.  Governor  Hull,  of  Michigan  Territory,  made  a 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  whereby  all  that  peninsula  was  ceded  to  the 
United  States.  Before  the  close  of  the  year,  a  stockade  was  built  about 
Detroit.  It  was  also  during  this  year  that  Indiana  and  Illinois  endeavored 
to  obtain  the  repeal  of  that  section  of  the  compact  of  1787,  whereby 
slavery  was  excluded  from  the  Northwest  Territory.  These  attempts, 
however,  all  signally  failed. 

In  1809  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  divide  the  Indiana  Territory. 
This  was  done,  and  the  Territory  of  Illinois  was  formed  from  the  western 
part,  the  seat  of  government  being  fixed  at  Kaskaskia.  The  next  year, 
the  intentions  of  Tecumseh  manifested  themselves  in  open  hostilities,  and 
then  beuan  the  events  already  narrated. 

While  this  war  was  in  progress,  emigration  to  the  West  went  on  with 
surprising  rapidity.  In  1811,  under  Mr.  Roosevelt  of  New  York,  the 
first  steamboat  trip  was  made  on  the  Ohio,  much  to  the  astonishment  of 
the  natives,  many  of  whom  fled  in  terror  at  the  appearance  of  the 
"  monster."  It  arrived  at  Louisville  on  the  10th  day  of  October.  At  the 
close  of  the  first  week  of  January,  1812,  it  arrived  at  Natchez,  after  being 
nearly  overwhelmed  in  the  great  earthquake  which  occurred  while  on  its 
downward  trip. 

The  battle  of  the  Thames  was  fought  on  October  6,  1813.  It 
effectually  closed  hostilities  in  the  Northwest,  although  peace  was  not 
fully  restored  until  July  22,  1814,  when  a  treaty  was  formed  at  Green- 
ville, under  the  direction  of  General  Harrison,  between  the  United  States 
and  the  Indian  tribes,  in  which  it  was  stipulated  that  the  Indians  should 
cease  hostilities  agfainst  the  Americans  if  the  war  were  continued.  Such, 
happily,  was  not  the  case,  and  on  the  24th  of  December  the  treaty 
of  Ghent  was  signed  by  the  representatives  of  England  and  the  United 
States.  This  treaty  was  followed  the  next  year  by  treaties  with  various 
Indian  tribes  throughout  the  West  and  Northwest,  and  quiet  was  again 
restored  in  this  part  of  the  new  world. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1816,  Pittsburgh  was  incorporated  as  a  city. 
It  then  had  a  population  of  8,000  people,  and  was  already  noted  for  its 
manufacturing  interests.  On  April  19,  Indiana  Territory  was  allowed 
to  form  a  state  government.  At  that  time  there  were  thirteen  counties 
organized,  containing  about  sixty-three  thousand  inhabitants.  Tlie  first 
election  of  state  officers  was  held  in  August,  when  Jonathan  Jennings 
was  chosen  Governor.  The  officers  were  sworn  in  on  November  7,  and 
on  December  11,  the  State  was  formally  admitted  into  the  Union.  For 
some  time  the  seat  of  government  was  at  Corydon,  but  a  more  central 
location  being  desiral)le,  the  present  capital,  Indianapolis  (^City  of  Indiana), 
was  laid  out  January  1,  1825. 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY.  78 

On  tlie  28th  of  December  the  Bank  of  Illinois,  at  Shawneetown,  was 
chartered,  with  a  capital  of  $oOO,000.  At  this  period  all  banks  were 
under  the  control  of  the  States,  and  were  allowed  to  establish  branches 
at  different  convenient  points. 

Until  this  time  Chillicothe  and  Cincinnati  had  in  turn  enjoyed  the 
privileges  of  being  the  capital  of  Ohio.  But  the  rapid  settlement  of  the 
northern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  State  demanded,  as  in  Indiana,  a 
more  central  location,  and  before  the  close  of  the  year,  the  site  of  Col- 
umbus was  selected  and  surveyed  as  the  future  capital  of  the  State. 
Banking  had  begun  in  Ohio  as  early  as  1808,  when  the  first  bank  was 
chartered  at  Marietta,  but  here  as  elsewhere  it  did  not  bring  to  the  state 
the  hoped-for  assistance.  It  and  other  banks  were  subsequently  unable 
to  redeem  their  currency,  and  were  obliged  to  suspend. 

In  1818,  Illinois  was  made  a  state,  and  all  the  territory  north  of  her 
northern  limits  was  erected  into  a  separate  territory  and  joined  to  Mich- 
igan for  judicial  purposes.  By  the  following  year,  navigation  of  the  lakes 
was  increasing  with  great  rapidity  and  affording  an  immense  source  of 
revenue  to  the  dwellers  in  the  Northwest,  but  it  was  not  until  1826  that 
the  trade  was  extended  to  Lake  Michigan,  or  that  steamships  began  to 
navigate  the  bosom  of  that  inland  sea. 

Until  the  year  1832,  the  commencement  of  the  Black  Hawk  War, 
but  few  hostilities  were  experienced  with  the  Indians.  Roads  were 
opened,  canals  were  dug,  cities  were  built,  common  schools  were  estab- 
lished, universities  were  founded,  many  of  which,  especially  the  Michigan 
University,  have  achieved  a  world  wide-reputation.  The  people  were 
becoming  wealthy.  The  domains  of  the  United  States  had  been  extended, 
and  had  the  sons  of  the  forest  been  treated  with  honesty  and  justice,  the 
record  of  many  years  would  have  been  that  of  peace  and  continuous  pros- 
perity. 

BLACK  HAWK  AND  THE  BLACK  HAWK  WAR. 

This  conflict,  though  confined  to  Illinois,  is  an  important  epoch  in 
the  Northwestern  history,  being  the  last  war  with  the  Indians  in  this  part 
of  the  United  States. 

Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah,  or  Black  Hawk,  was  born  in  the  principal 
Sac  village,  about  three  miles  from  the  junction  of  Rock  River  with  the 
Mississippi,  in  the  year  1767.  His  father's  name  was  Py-e-sa  or  Pahaes ; 
his  grandfather's,  Na-na-ma-kee,  or  the  Thunderer.  Black  Hawk  early 
distinguished  himself  as  a  warrior,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  was  permitted 
to  paint  and  was  ranked  among  the  braves.  About  the  year  1783,  he 
went  on  an  expedition  against  the  enemies  of  his  nation,  the  Osages,  one 


74 


THE   ^;ORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 


BLACK  ILVWK,  THE  SAC  CIIIEFTAIJST. 


THE   NORTHWEST  TERRITORY.  75 

of  whom  he  killed  and  scalped,  and  for  this  deed  of  Indian  bravery  he  was 
permitted  to  join  in  the  scalp  dance.  Three  or  four  years  after  he,  at  the 
head  of  two  hundred  braves,  went  on  another  expedition  against  the 
Osages,  to  avenge  the  murder  of  some  women  and  children  belonging  to 
his  own  tribe.  Meeting  an  equal  number  of  Osage  warriors,  a  fierce 
battle  ensued,  in  which  the  latter  tribe  lost  one-half  their  number.  The 
Sacs  lost  only  about  nineteen  warriors.  He  next  attacked  the  Cherokees 
for  a  similar  cause.  In  a  severe  battle  with  them,  near  the  present  City 
of  St.  Louis,  his  father  was  slain,  and  Black  Hawk,  taking  possession  of 
the  "  Medicine  Bag,"  at  once  announced  himself  chief  of  the  Sac  nation. 
He  had  now  conquered  the  Cherokees,  and  about  the  year  1800,  at  the 
head  of  five  hundred  Sacs  and  Foxes,  and  a  hundred  lowas,  he  waged 
war  against  the  Osage  nation  and  subdued  it.  For  two  years  he  battled 
successfully  with  other  Indian  tribes,  all  of  whom  he  conquered. 

Black  Hawk  does  not  at  any  time  seem  to  have  been  friendly  to 
the  Americans.  When  on  a  visit  to  St.  Louis  to  see  his  "  Spanish 
Father,"  he  declined  to  see  any  of  the  Americans,  alleging,  as  a  reason, 
he  did  not  want  two  fathers. 

The  treaty  at  St.  Louis  was  consummated  in  1804.  The  next  year  the 
United  States  Government  erected  a  fort  near  the  head  of  the  Des  Moines 
Rapids,  called  Fort  Edwards.  This  seemed  to  enrage  Black  Hawk,  who 
at  once  determined  to  capture  Fort  Madison,  standing  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Mississippi  above  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines  River.  The  fort  was 
garrisoned  by  about  fifty  men.  Here  he  was  defeated.  The  difficulties 
with  the  British  Government  arose  about  this  time,  and  the  War  of  1812 
followed.  That  government,  extending  aid  to  the  Western  Indians,  by 
giving  them  arms  and  ammunition,  induced  them  to  remain  hostile  to  the 
Americans.  In  August,  1812,  Black  Hawk,  at  the  head  of  about  five 
hundred  braves,  started  to  join  the  British  forces  at  Detroit,  passing  on 
his  way  the  site  of  Chicago,  where  the  famous  Fort  Dearborn  Massacre 
had  a  few  days  before  occurred.  Of  his  connection  with  the  British 
Gcvernment  but  little  is  known.  In  1813  he  with  his  little  band  descended 
the  Mississippi,  and  attacking  some  United  States  troops  at  Fort  Howard 
was  defeated. 

In  the  early  part  of  1815,  the  Indian  tribes  west  of  the  Mississippi 
were  notified  that  peace  had  been  declared  between  the  United  States 
and  England,  and  nearly  all  hostilities  had  ceased.  Black  Hawk  did  not 
sign  any  treaty,  however,  until  May  of  the  following  year.  He  then  recog- 
nized the  validity  of  the  treaty  at  St.  Louis  in  1804.  From  the  time  of 
signing  this  treaty  in  1816,  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1832,  he 
and  his  band  passed  their  time  in  the  common  pursuits  of  Indian  life. 

Ten  years  before  the  commencement  of  this  war,  the  Sac  and  Fox 


76  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

Indians  were  urged  to  join  the  lowas  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Father  of 
Waters.  All  were  agreed,  save  the  band  known  as  the  British  Band,  of 
which  Black  Hawk  was  leader.  He  strenuously  objected  to  the  removal, 
and  was  induced  to  comply  only  after  being  threatened  with  the  power  of 
the  Government.  This  and  various  actions  on  the  part  of  the  white  set- 
tlers provoked  Black  Hawk  and  his  band  to  attempt  the  capture  of  his 
native  village  now  occupied  by  the  whites.  The  war  followed.  He  and 
his  actions  were  undoubtedly  misunderstood,  and  had  his  wishes  been 
acquiesced  in  at  the  beginning  of  the  struggle,  much  bloodshed  would 
have  been  prevented. 

Black  Hawk  was  chief  now  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  nations,  and  a  noted 
warrior.  He  and  his  tribe  inhabited  a  village  on  Rock  River,  nearly  three 
miles  above  its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi,  where  the  tribe  had  lived 
many  generations.  When  that  portion  of  Illinois  was  reserved  to  them, 
they  remained  in  peaceable  possession  of  their  reservation,  spending  their 
time  in  the  enjoyment  of  Indian  life.  The  fine  situation  of  their  village 
and  the  quality  of  their  lands  incited  the  more  lawless  white  settlers,  who 
from  time  to  time  began  to  encroach  upon  the  red  men's  domain.  From 
one  pretext  to  another,  and  from  one  step  to  another,  the  crafty  white 
men  gained  a  foothold,  until  through  whisky  and  artifice  they  obtained 
deeds  from  many  of  the  Indians  for  their  possessions.  The  Indians  were 
finally  induced  to  cross  over  the  Father  of  Waters  and  locate  among  the 
lowas.  Black  Hawk  was  strenuously  opposed  to  all  this,  but  as  the 
authorities  of  Illinois  and  the  United  States  thought  this  the  best  move,  he 
was  forced  to  comply.  Moreover  other  tribes  joined  the  whites  and  urged 
the  removal.  Black  Hawk  would  not  agree  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty 
made  with  his  nation  for  their  lands,  and  as  soon  as  the  military,  called  to 
enforce  his  removal,  had  retired,  he  returned  to  the  Illinois  side  of  the 
river.  A  large  force  was  at  once  raised  and  marched  against  him.  On 
the  evening  of  May  14,  1832,  the  first  engagement  occurred  between  a 
band  from  this  army  and  Black  Hawk's  band,  in  which  the  former  were 
defeated. 

This  attack  and  its  result  aroused  the  whites.  A  large  force  of  men 
was  raised,  and  Gen.  Scott  hastened  from  the  seaboard,  by  way  of  the 
lakes,  with  United  States  troops  and  artillery  to  aid  in  the  subjugation  of 
the  Indians.  On  the  24th  of  June,  Black  Hawk,  with  200  warriors,  was 
repulsed  l)y  Major  Demont  between  Rock  River  and  Galena.  The  Ameri- 
can army  continued  to  move  up  Rock  Rivei-  toward  the  main  body  of 
the  Indians,  and  on  the  21st  of  July  came  upon  Black  Hawk  and  his  band, 
and  defeated  them  near  the  Blue  Mounds. 

Before  this  action,  Gen.  Henry,  in  command,  sent  word  to  the  main 
army  by  whom  he  was  immediately  rejoined,  and  the  whole  crossed  the 


THE   NORTHWEST   TERETTORY.  77 

Wisconsin  in  pursuit  of  Black  Hawk  and  his  band  who  were  fleeing  to  the 
Mississippi.  They  were  overtaken  on  the  2d  of  August,  and  in  the  battle 
which  followed  the  power  of  the  Indian  chief  was  completel.y  broken.  He 
fled,  but  was  seized  l)y  the  Winnebagoes  and  delivered  to  the  whites. 

On  the  21st  of  September,  18.S2,  Gen.  Scott  and  Gov.  Reynolds  con- 
cluded a  treaty  with  the  Winnebagoes,  Sacs  and  Foxes  by  which  they 
ceded  to  the  United  States  a  vast  tract  of  country,  and  agreed  to  remain 
peaceable  with  the  whites.  For  the  faithful  performance  of  the  provi- 
sions of  this  treaty  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  it  was  stipulated  that 
Black  Hawk,  his  two  sons,  the  prophet  Wabokieshiek,  and  six  other  chiefs 
of  the  hostile  bands  should  be  retained  as  hostages  during  the  pleasure 
of  the  President.    They  were  confined  at  Fort  Barracks  and  put  in  irons. 

The  next  Spring,  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  they  were  taken 
to  Washington.  From  there  they  were  removed  to  Fortress  Monroe, 
"there  to  remain  until  the  conduct  of  their  nation  was  such  as  to  justify 
their  being  set  at  liberty."  They  were  retained  here  until  the  4th  of 
June,  when  the  authorities  directed  them  to  be  taken  to  the  principal 
cities  so  that  they  might  see  the  folly  of  contending  against  the  white 
people.  Everywhere  they  were  observed  by  thousands,  the  name  of  the 
old  chief  being  extensively  known.  By  the  middle  of  August  they 
reached  Fort  Armstrong  on  Rock  Island,  where  Black  Hawk  was  soon 
after  released  to  go  to  his  countrymen.  As  he  passed  the  site  of  his  birth- 
place, now  the  home  of  the  white  man,  he  was  deeply  moved.  His  village 
where  he  was  born,  where  he  had  so  happily  lived,  and  where  he  had 
hoped  to  die,  was  now  another's  dwelling  place,  and  he  was  a  wanderer. 

On  the  next  day  after  his  release,  he  went  at  once  to  his  tribe  and 
his  lodge.  His  wife  was  yet  living,  and  with  her  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  To  his  credit  it  may  be  said  that  Black  Hawk  always  re- 
mained true  to  his  wife,  and  served  her  with  a  devotion  uncommon  among 
the  Indians,  living  with  her  upward  of  forty  years. 

Black  Hawk  now  passed  his  time  hunting  and  fishing.  A  deep  mel- 
ancholy had  settled  over  him  from  which  he  could  not  be  freed.  At  all 
times  when  he  visited  the  whites  he  was  received  with  marked  atten- 
tion. He  was  an  honored  guest  at  the  old  settlers'  reunion  in  Lee  County, 
Illinois,  at  some  of  their  meetings,  and  received  many  tokens  of  esteem. 
In  September,  1838,  while  on  his  way  to  Rock  Island  to  receive  his 
annuity  from  the  Government,  he  contracted  a  severe  cold  which  resulted 
in-  a  fatal  attack  of  bilious  fever  which  terminated  his  life  on  October  3. 
His  faithful  wife,  who  was  devotedly  attached  to  him,  mourned  deeply 
during  his  sickness.  After  his  death  he  was  dressed  in  the  uniform  pre- 
sented to  him  by  the  President  while  in  Washington.  He  was  buried  in 
a  grave  six  feet  in  depth,  situated  upon  a  beautiful  eminence.     "  The 


78  THE   NORTHWEST   TERRITORY. 

body  was  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  grave,  in  a  sitting  posture,  upon  a 
seat  constructed  for  the  purpose.  On  his  left  side,  the  cane,  given  him 
by  Henry  Clay,  was  placed  upright,  with  his  right  hand  resting  upon  it. 
Many  of  the  old  warrior's  trophies  were  placed  in  the  grave,  and  some 
Indian  garments,  together  with  his  favorite  weapons." 

No  sooner  was  the  Black  Hawk  war  concluded  than  settlers  began 
rapidly  to  pour  into  the  northern  parts  of  Illinois,  and  into  Wisconsin, 
now  free  from  Indian  depredations.  Chicago,  from  a  trading  post,  had 
grown  to  a  commercial  center,  and  was  rapidly  coming  into  prominence. 
In  1835,  the  formation  of  a  State  Government  in  Michigan  was  discussed, 
but  did  not  take  active  form  until  two  years  later,  when  the  State  became 
a  part  of  the  Federal  Union. 

Tlie  main  attraction  to  that  portion  of  the  Northwest  lying  west  of 
Lake  Michigan,  now  included  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  was  its  alluvial 
wealth.  Copper  ore  was  found  about  Lake  Superior.  For  some  time  this 
region  was  attached  to  Michigan  for  judiciary  purposes,  but  in  1830  was 
made  a  territory,  then  including  Minnesota  and  Iowa.  The  latter  State 
was  detached  two  years  later.  In  1848,  Wisconsin  was  admitted  as  a 
State,  Madison  being  made  the  capital.  We  have  now  traced  the  various 
divisions  of  the  Northwest  Territory  (save  a  little  in  Minnesota)  from 
the  time  it  was  a  unit  comprising  this  vast  territory,  until  circumstances 
compelled  its  present  division. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES  79 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    UNITED    STATES    OF   AMERICA 

AND  ITS  AMENDMENTS. 

We,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  form  a  more  perfect  union, 
establish  justice,  insure  domestic  tranquillity,  provide  for  the  common 
defense,  promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  hlessiufjs  of  liberty 
to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  do  ordain  and  establish  this  Constitution 
for  the  United  States  of  America. 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  All  legislative  x^owers  herein  granted  shall  be  vested  in 
a  Conofross  of  the  United  States,  which  shall  consist  of  a  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives. 

Sec.  2.  The  House  of  Representatives  shall  be  composed  of  mem- 
bers chosen  every  second  3^ear  by  the  people  of  the  several  states,  and  the 
electors  in  each  state  shall  have  the  qualifications  requisite  for  electors  of 
the  most  numerous  branch  of  the  State  Legislature. 

No  person  shall  be  a  representative  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the 
age  of  twenty-five  5^ears,  and  been  seven  years  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected,  be  an  inhabitant  of  that  state  in 
which  he  shall  be  chosen. 

Representatives  and  direct  taxes  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  sev- 
eral states  which  may  be  included  within  this  Union,  according  to  their 
respective  numbers,  which  shall  be  determined  by  adding  to  the  whole 
number  of  free  persons,  including  those  bound  to  service  for  a  term  of 
years,  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  three-fifths  of  all  other  persons. 
The  actual  enumeration  shall  be  made  within  three  years  after  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  within  every  subse- 
quent term  of  ten  years,  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  by  law  direct.  The 
number  of  Representatives  shall  not  exceed  one  for  every  thirty  thousand, 
but  each  state  shall  have  at  least  one  Representative  ;  and  until  such 
enumeration  shall  be  made  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  shall  be  entitled 
to  choose  three,  Massachusetts  eight,  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plan- 
tations one,  Connecticut  five.  New  York  six,  New  Jersey  four,  Pennsylva- 
nia eight,  Delaware  one,  Maryland  six,  Virginia  ten.  North  Carolina  five, 
and  Georgia  three. 

When  vacancies  happen  in  the  representation  from  any  state,  the 
Executive  authority  thereof  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such 
vacancies. 

The  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  their  Speaker  and  other 
officers,  and  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeachment. 

Sec.  3.  The  Senate  of  the  United  States  shall  be  composed  of  two 
Senators  from  each  state,  chosen  by  the  Legislature  thereof  for  six  years  ; 
and  each  Senator  shall  have  one  vote. 

Immediately  after  they  shall  be  assembled  in  consequence  of  the  first 
election,  they  shall  be  divided  as  equally  as  may  be  into  three  classes. 
The  seats  of  the  Senators  of  the  first  class  shall  be  vacated  at  the  expira- 


80  AND  ITS   AMENDAIENTS. 

tion  of  the  second  year,  of  the  second  class  at  the  expiration  of  the  fourth 
year,  and  of  the  third  class  at  the  expiration  of  the  sixth  year,  so  that 
one-third  may  be  chosen  every  second  year;  and  if  vacancies  happen  by 
resignation  or  otherwise,  during  the  recess  of  the  Legislature  of  any  state, 
the  Executive  thereof  may  make  temporary  appointments  until  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Legislature,  which  shall  then  fill  such  vacancies. 

No  person  shall  be  a  Senator  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age 
of  thirty  years  and  been  nine  years  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and 
who  shall  not,  when  elected,  be  an  inhabitant  of  that  state  for  which  he 
shall  be  chosen. 

The  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  shall  be  President  of  the 
Senate,  but  shall  have  no  vote  unless  they  be  equally  divided. 

The  Senate  shall  choose  their  other  officers,  and  also  a  President  pro 
tempore,  ia  the  absence  of  the  Vice-President,  or  when  he  shall  exercise 
the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  Senate  shall  have  the  sole  power  to  try  all  impeachments.  When 
sitting  for  that  purpose  they  shall  be  on  oath  or  affirmation.  When  the 
President  of  the  United  States  is  tried  the  Chief  Justice  shall  preside. 
And  no  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  present. 

Judgment,  in  cases  of  impeachment,  shall  not  extend  further  than  to 
removal  from  office,  and  disqualification  to  hold  and  enjoy  any  office  of 
honor,  trust,  or  profit  under  the  United  States;  but  the  party  convicted 
shall  nevertheless  be  liable  and  subject  to  indictment,  trial,  judgment, 
and  punishment  according  to  law. 

Sec.  4.  The  times,  places  and  manner  of  holding  elections  for  Sen- 
ators and  Representatives  shall  be  prescribed  in  each  state  by  the  Legis- 
lature thereof ;  but  the  Congress  may  at  any  time  by  law  make  or  alter 
such  regulations,  except  as  to  the  places  of  choosing  Senators. 

The  Congress  shall  assemble  at  least  once  in  every  year,  and  such 
meeting  shall  be  on  the  first  Monday  in  December,  unless  they  shall  by 
law  appoint  a  different  day. 

Sec.  5.  Each  house  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  election,  returns,  and 
qualifications  of  its  own  members,  and  a  majority  of  each  shall  constitute 
a  quorum  to  do  business ;  but  a  smaller  number  may  adjourn  from  day  to 
day,  and  may  be  authorized  to  compel  the  attendance  of  absent  members 
in  such  manner  and  under  such  penalties  as  each  house  may  provide. 

Each  house  may  determine  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  punish  its 
members  for  disorderly  behavior,  and,  with  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds, 
expel  a  member. 

Each  house  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  proceedings,  and  from  time  to 
time  publish  the  same,  excepting  such  parts  as  may,  in  their  judgment, 
require  secrecy  ;  and  the  yeas  and  nays  of  the  members  of  either  house 
on  any  question  shall,  at  the  desire  of  one-fifth  of  those  present,  be  entered 
on  the  journal. 

Neither  house,  during  the  session  of  Congress,  shall,  without  the 
consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than  three  days,  nor  to  any  other 
place  than  that  in  which  the  two  houses  shall  be  sitting. 

Sec.  6.  The  Senators  and  Representatives  shall  receive  a  compen- 
sation for  their  services,  to  be  ascertained  by  law,  and  paid  out  of  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States.     They  shall  in  all  cases,  except  treason, 


CONSTITUTION  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES 


81 


felony,  and  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest  during  their 
attendance  at  the  session  of  their  respective  houses,  and  in  going  to  and 
returning  from  the  same  ;  and  for  any  speech  or  debate  in  either  house 
they  shall  not  be  questioned  in  any  other  place. 

No  Senator  or  Representative  shall,  during  the  time  for  which  he  was 
elected,  be  appointed  to  any  civil  office  under  the  authority  of  the  United 
States,  which  shall  have  been  created,  or  the  emoluments  whereof  shall 
have  been  increased  during  such  time  ;  and  no  person  holding  any  office 
under  the  United  States,  shall  be  a  member  of  either  house  during  his 
continuance  in  office. 

Sec.  7.  All  bills  for  raising  revenue  shall  originate  in  the  House  of 
Representatives ;  but  the  Senate  may  propose  or  concur  with  amendments 
as  on  other  bills. 

Every  bill  which  shall  have  passed  the  House  of  Representatives  and 
the  Senate,  shall,  before  it  becomes  a  law,  be  presented  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States ;  if  he  approve  he  shall  sign  it ;  but  if  not  he  shall 
return  it,  with  his  objections,  to  that  house  in  which  it  shall  have  origi- 
nated, who  shall  enter  the  objections  at  large  on  their  journal,  and 
proceed  to  reconsider  it.  If,  after  such  reconsideration  two-thirds  of  that 
house  shall  agree  to  pass  the  bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  together  with  the  objec- 
tions, to  the  other  house,  by  which  it  shall  likewise  be  reconsidered,  and  if 
approved  by  two-thirds  of  that  house,  it  shall  become  a  law.  But  in  all 
such  cases  the  votes  of  both  houses  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays, 
and  the  names  of  the  persons  voting  for  and  against  the  bill  shall  be  entered 
on  the  journal  of  each  house  respectively.  If  any  bill  shall  not  be  returned 
by  the  President  within  ten  days  (Sundays  excepted),  after  it  shall  have 
been  presented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a  law,  in  like  manner  as  if  he 
had  signed  it,  unless  the  Congress,  by  their  adjournment,  prevent  its 
return,  in  which  case  it  shall  not  be  a  law. 

Every  order,  resolution,  or  vote  to  which  the  concurrence  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  may  be  necessary  (except  on  a 
question  of  adjournment),  shall  be  presented  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  before  the  same  shall  take  effect  shall  be  approved  by 
him,  or,  being  disapproved  by  him,  shall  be  re-passed  by  two-thirds  of 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  according  to  the  rules  and  lim- 
itations prescribed  in  the  case  of  a  bill. 

Sec.  8.     The  Congress  shall  have  power — 

To  lay  and  collect  taxes,  r  uties,  imposts  and  excises,  to  pay  the  debts, 
and  provide  for  the  comu.:,L.  aefense  and  general  welfare  of  the  United 
States ;  but  all  duties,  imposts,  and  excises  shall  be  uniform  throughout 
the  United  States ; 

To  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States ; 

To  regulate  commerce  with  foreign  nations,  and  among  the  several 
States,  and  with  the  Indian  tribes ; 

To  establish  a  uniform  rule  of  naturalization,  and  uniform  laws  on 
the  subject  of  bankruptcies  throughout  the  United  States  ; 

To  coin  money,  regulate  the  value  thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin,  and 
fix  the  standard  of  weights  and  measures  ; 

To  provide  for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting  the  securities  and 
current  coin  of  the  United  States ; 

To  establish  post  offices  and  post  roads ; 


82  AND   ITS   AMENDMENTS. 

To  promote  the  progress  of  sciences  and  useful  arts,  by  securing, 
for  limited  times,  to  authors  and  inventors,  the  exclusive  right  to  their 
respective  writings  and  discoveries  ; 

To  constitute  tribunals  inferior  to  the  Supreme  Court ; 

To  define  and  punish  piracies  and  felonies  committed  on  the  high 
seas,  and  offenses  against  the  law  of  nations ; 

To  declare  war,  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal,  and  make  rules 
concerning  captures  on  land  and  water  ; 

To  raise  and  support  armies,  but  no  appropriation  of  money  to  that 
use  shall  be  for  a  longer  term  than  two  years ; 

To  provide  and  maintain  a  navy ; 

To  make  rules  for  the  government  and  regulation  of  the  land  and 
naval  forces ; 

To  provide  for  calling  forth  the  militia  to  execute  the  laws  of  the 
Union,  suppress  insurrections,  and  repel  invasions  ; 

To  provide  for  organizing,  arming  and  disciplining  the  militia,  and 
for  governing  such  part  of  them  as  may  be  employed  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  reserving  to  the  states  respectively  the  appointment  of  the 
officers,  and  the  authority  of  training  the  militia  according  to  the  disci- 
pline prescribed  by  Congress ; 

To  exercise  legislation  in  all  cases  whatsoever  over  such  district  (not 
exceeding  ten  miles  square)  as  may,  by  cession  of  particular  states,  and  the 
acceptance  of  Congress,  become  the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  and  to  exercise  like  authority  over  all  places  purchased  by  the 
consent  of  the  Legislature  of  the  state  in  which  the  same  shall  be,  for 
the  erection  of  forts,  magazines,  arsenals,  dock  yards,  and  other  needful 
buildings ;  and 

To  make  all  laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  proper  for  carrying 
into  execution  the  foregoing  powers,  and  all  other  powers  vested  by  this 
Constitution  in  the  government  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  depart- 
ment or  officer  thereof. 

Sec.  9.  The  migration  or  importation  of  such  persons  as  any  of  the 
states  now  existing  shall  think  proper  to  admit,  shall  not  be  prohibited 
by  the  Congress  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight, 
but  a  tax  or  duty  may  be  imposed  on  such  importation,  not  exceeding  ten 
dollars  for  each  person. 

The  privilege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  not  be  suspended, 
unless  when  in  cases  of  rebellion  or  invasion  the  public  safety  may 
require  it. 

No  bill  of  attainder  or  ex  post  facto  law  shall  be  passed. 

No  capitation  or  other  direct  tax  shall  be  laid,  unless  in  proportion 
to  the  census  or  enumeration  hereinbefore  directed  to  be  taken. 

No  tax  or  duty  shall  be  laid  on  articles  exported  from  any  state. 

No  preference  shall  be  given  by  any  regulation  of  commerce  or  rev- 
enue to  tlie  ports  of  one  state  over  those  of  another;  nor  shall  vessels 
bound  to  or  from  one  state  be  obliged  to  enter,  clear,  or  pay  duties  in 
another. 

No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  Treasury,  but  in  consequence  of 
appropriations  made  by  law ;  and  a  regular  statement  and  account  of 
the  receipts  and  expcditures  of  all  public  money  shall  be  published  from 
time  to  time. 


CONSTITUTION   OF  THE  UNITED   STATES  83 

No  title  of  noliility  shall  be  granted  l)y  the  United  States :  and  no 
person  holding  any  office  of  profit  or  trust  under  them,  shall,  without  the 
consent  of  the  Congress,  accept  of  any  present,  emolument,  office,  or  title 
of  any  kind  whatever,  from  any  king,  prince,  or  foreign  state. 

Sec.  10.  No  state  shall  enter  into  any  treaty,  alliance,  or  confeder- 
ation ;  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal;  coin  money;  emit  bills  of 
credit ;  make  anything  but  gold  and  silver  coin  a  tender  in  payment  of 
debts ;  pass  any  bill  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  law,  or  law  impairing  the 
obligation  of  contracts,  or  grant  any  title  of  nobility. 

No  state  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  lay  any  imposts 
or  duties  on  imports  or  exports,  except  what  may  be  absolutely  necessary 
for  executing  its  inspection  laws,  and  the  net  produce  of  all  duties  and 
imposts  laid  by  any  state  on  imports  or  exports,  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States ;  and  all  such  laws  shall  be  subject  to  the 
revision  and  control  of  the  Congress. 

No  state  shall,  without  the  consent  of  Congress,  lay  any  duty  on 
tonnage,  keej)  troops  or  ships  of  war  in  time  of  peace,  enter  into  any 
agreement  or  compact  with  another  state,  or  with  a  foreign  power,  or 
engage  in  war,  unless  actually  invaded,  or  in  such  imminent  danger  as  will 
not  admit  of  delay. 

Article  II. 

Section  1.  The  Executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  President  of 
the  United  States  of  America.  He  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term 
of  four  years,  and,  together  with  the  Vice-President  chosen  for  the  same 
term,  be  elected  as  follows : 

Each  state  shall  appoint,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  thereof 
may  direct,  a  number  of  Electors,  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  Senators 
and  Representatives  to  which  the  state  may  be  entitled  in  the  Congress ; 
but  no  Senator  or  Representative,  or  person  holding  an  office  of  trust  or 
profit  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  appointed  an  Elector. 

[  *  The  Electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  states,  and  vote  by 
ballot  for  two  persons,  of  whom  one  at  least  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of 
the  same  state  with  themselves.  And  they  shall  make  a  list  of  all  the 
persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each  ;  which  list  they 
shall  sign  and  certify,  and  transmit,  sealed,  to  the  seat  of  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate.  The  Pres- 
ident of  the  Senate  shall,  in  the  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, open  all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  shall  then  be  counted. 
The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  shall  be  the  President, 
if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  Electors  appointed  ; 
and  if  there  be  more  than  one  who  have  such  majority,  and  have  an  equal 
number  of  votes,  then  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  immediately 
choose  by  ballot  one  of  them  for  President ;  and  if  no  person  have  a  ma- 
jority, then  from  the  five  highest  on  the  list  the  said  House  shall  in  like 
manner  choose  the  President.  But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  vote 
shall  be  taken  by  states,  the  representation  from  each  state  having  one 
vote  ;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  member  or  members 
from  two-thirds  of  the  states,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  states  shall  be 
necessary  to  a  choice.     In  every  case,  after  the  choice  of  the  President, 

*Thls  clause  between  .brackets  bas  been  superseded  and  annulled  by  tbe  Twelfth  amendment. 


84  AND   ITS   AMENDMENTS. 

the  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  of  the  Electors  shall  be 
the  Vice-President.  But  if  there  should  remain  two  or  more  who  have 
equal  votes,  the  Senate  shall  choose  from  them  by  ballot  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent.] 

The  Congress  may  determine  the  time  of  choosing  the  Electors,  and 
the  day  on  which  they  shall  give  their  votes  ;  which  day  shall  be  the  same 
throughout  the  United  States. 

No  person  except  a  natural  born  citizen,  or  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  shall  be  eligible 
to  the  office  of  President ;  neither  shall  any  person  be  eligible  to  that 
office  who  shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and  been 
fourteen  years  a  resident  within  the  United  States. 

In  case  of  the  removal  of  the  President  from  office,  or  of  his  death, 
resignation,  or  inability  to  discharge  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  said 
office,  the  same  shall  devolve  on  the  Vice-President,  and  the  Congress 
may  by  law  provide  for  the  case  of  removal,  death,  resignation,  or  inabil- 
ity, both  of  the  President  and  Vice-President,  declaring  what  officer  shall 
then  act  as  President,  and  such  officer  shall  act  accordingly,  until  the  dis- 
ability be  removed,  or  a  President  shall  be  elected. 

The  President  shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  for  his  services  a  com- 
pensation which  shall  neither  be  increased  nor  diminished  during  the 
period  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected,  and  he  shall  not  receive 
within  that  period  any  other  emolument  from  the  United  States  or  any  of 
them. 

Before  he  enters  on  the  execution  of  his  office,  he  shall  take  the  fol- 
lowing oath  or  affirmation : 

"  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully  execute  the 
office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability, 
preserve,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall  be  commander  in  chief  of  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  militia  of  the  several  states,  when 
called  into  the  actual  service  of  the  United  States;  he  may  require  the 
opinion,  in  writing,  of  the  principal  officer  in  each  of  the  executive 
departments,  upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  duties  of  their  respective 
offices,  and  he  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves  and  pardon  for  offenses 
against  the  United  States,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment. 

He  shall  have  power,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,  to  make  treaties,  provided  two-thirds  of  the  Senators  present  con- 
cur; ai)d  he  shall  nominate,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Senate, 
shall  appoint  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers  and  consuls,  judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  and  all  other  officers  of  the  United  States  whose 
appointments  are  not  herein  otherwise  provided  for,  and  which  shall  be 
established  by  law ;  but  the  Congress  may  by  law  vest  the  appointment 
of  such  inferior  officers  as  they  think  proper  in  the  President  alone,  in 
the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the  heads  of  departments. 

The  President  shall  have  power  to  fill  up  all  vacancies  that  may 
happen  during  the  recess  of  the  Senate,  by  granting  commissions  which 
shall  expire  at  the  end  of  their  next  session. 

Sec.  8.  lie  shall  from  time  to  time  give  to  the  Congress  information 
of  the  state  of  the  Union,  and  recommend  to  their  consideration  such  mea- 
sures as  he  shall  judge  necessary  and  expedient;  he  may  on  extraordinary 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES  86 

occasions  convene  both  houses,  or  either  of  them,  and  in  case  of  disagree- 
ment between  them,  with  respect  to  the  time  of  adjournment,  he  may 
adjourn  them  to  such  time  as  he  shall  think  proper ;  he  shall  receive 
ambassadors  and  other  public  ministere ;  he  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be 
faithfully  executed,  and  shall  commission  all  the  officers  of  the  United 
States. 

Sec.  4.  The  President,  Vice-President,  and  all  civil  officers  of  the 
United  States,  shall  be  removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for,  and  con- 
viction of,  treason,  bribery,  or  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors. 

Article  III. » 

Section  I.  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  be  vested 
in  one  Supreme  Court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as  the  Congress  may  from 
time  to  time  ordain  and  establish.  The  Judges,  both  of  the  Supreme  and 
inferior  courts,  shall  hold  their  offices  during  good  behavior,  and  shall,  at 
stated  times,  receive  for  their  services  a  compensation,  which  shall  not  be 
diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office. 

Sec.  2.  The  judicial  power  shall  extend  to  all  cases,  in  law  and 
equity,  arising  under  this  Constitution,  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and 
treaties  made,  or  which  shall  be  made,  under  their  authority ;  to  all  cases 
affecting  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers,  and  consuls ;  to  all  cases  of 
admiralty  and  maritime  jurisdiction  ;  to  controversies  to  which  the  United 
States  shall  be  a  party ;  to  controversies  between  two  or  more  states ; 
between  a  state  and  citizens  of  another  state  ;  between  citizens  of  differ- 
ent states  ;  between  citizens  of  the  same  state  claiming  lands  under  grants 
of  different  states,  and  between  a  state  or  the  citizens  thereof,  and  foreign 
states,  citizens,  or  subjects. 

In  all  cases  affecting  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers,  and  consuls, 
and  those  in  which  a  state  shall  be  a  party,  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have 
original  jurisdiction. 

In  ail  the  other  cases  before  mentioned,  the  Supreme  Court  shall 
have  appellate  jurisdiction,  both  as  to  law  and  fact,  with  such  exceptions 
and  under  such  regulations  as  the  Congress  shall  make. 

The  trial  of  all  crimes,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  shall  be  by 
jury  ;  and  such  trial  shall  be  held  in  the  state  where  the  said  crimes  shall 
have  been  committed  ;  but  when  not  committed  within  any  state,  the 
trial  shall  be  at  such  place  or  places  as  the  Congress  may  by  law  have 
directed. 

Sec.  3.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall  consist  only  in  levy- 
ing war  against  them,  or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid 
and  comfort.  No  person  shall  be  convicted  of  treason  unless  on  the  tes- 
timony of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act,  or  on  confession  in  open 
court. 

The  Congress  shall  have  power  to  declare  the  punishment  of  treason, 
but  no  attainder  of  treason  shall  work  corruption  of  blood,  or  forfeiture, 
except  during  the  life  of  the  person  attainted. 

Article  IV. 

Section  1.  Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  in  each  state  to  the 
public  acts,  records,  and  judicial  proceedings  of  every  other  state.     And 


86  AND  ITS   AJSIENDMENTS. 

the  Congress  may,  by  general  laws,  prescribe  the  manner  in  which  such 
acts,  records,  and  proceedings  shall  be  proved,  and  the  effect  thereof. 

Sec.  2.  Tlie  citizens  of  each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges 
and  immunities  of  citizens  in  the  several  states. 

A  person  charged  in  any  state  witli  treason,  felony,  or  other  crime, 
who  shall  flee  from  justice  and  be  found  in  another  state,  shall,  on  demand 
of  the  executive  authority  of  the  state  from  which  he  fled,  be  delivered 
up,  to  be  removed  to  the  state  having  jurisdicl'.on  of  the  crime. 

No  person  lield  to  service  or  labor  in  one  state,  under  the  laws  thereof 
escaping  into  another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  law  or  regulation 
therein,  be  discharged  from  such  service  or  labor,  but  shall  be  delivered 
up  on  the  claim  of  the  party  to  whom  such  service  or  labor  may  be  due. 

Sec.  3.  New  states  may  be  admitted  by  the  Congress  into  this  Union ; 
but  no  new  state  shall  be  formed  or  erected  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any 
other  state  ;  nor  any  state  be  formed  by  the  junction  of  two  or  more  states, 
or  parts  of  states,  without  the  consent  of  the  Legislatures  of  the  states 
concerned,  as  well  as  of  the  Congress. 

The  Congress  shall  have  power  to  dispose  of  and  make  all  needful 
rules  and  regulations  respecting  the  territor}'-  or  other  property  belonging 
to  the  United  States ;  and  nothing  in  this  Constitution  shall  be  so  construed 
as  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  United  States  or  of  any  particular  state. 

Sec.  4.  The  United  States  shall  guarantee  to  every  state  in  this 
Union  a  republican  form  of  government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them 
against  invasion,  and  on  application  of  the  Legislature,  or  of  the  Execu- 
tive (when  the  Legislature  can  not  be  convened),  against  domestic  vio- 
lence. 

Article  V. 

The  Congress,  whenever  two-thirds  of  both  houses  shall  deem  it 
necessary,  shall  propose  amendments  to  this  Constitution,  or,  on  the  ap- 
plication of  the  Legislatures  of  two-thirds  of  the  several  states,  shall  call 
a  convention  for  proposing  amendments,  which,  in  either  case,  shall  be 
valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  part  of  this  Constitution,  when  rati- 
fied by  the  Legislatures  of  tliree  fourths  of  the  several  states,  or  by  con- 
ventions in  three-fourths  thereof,  as  the  one  or  the  other  mode  of  ratifi- 
cation may  be  proposed  by  the  Congress.  Provided  that  no  amendment 
which  may  be  made  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
eight  shall  in  any  manner  affect  the  first  and  fourth  clauses  in  the  ninth 
section  of  the  first  article  ;  and  that  no  state,  without  its  consent,  shall 
be  deprived  of  its  equal  suffrage  in  the  Senate. 

Article  VI. 

All  debts  contracted  and  engagements  entered  into  before  the  adop- 
tion of  this  Constitution  shall  be  as  valid  against  the  United  States  under 
this  Constitution  as  under  the  Confederation. 

This  Constitution,  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States  which  shall  be 
made  in  pursuance  thereof,  and  all  treaties  made,  or  which  shall  be  made, 
under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of  the 
land  ;  and  the  Judges  in  every  state  shall  be  bound  thereby,  anything  in 
the  Constitution  or  laws  of  any  state  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

The  Senators  and  Representatives  before  mentioned,  and  the  mem- 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE    UNITED    STATES 


87 


bers  of  the  several  state  Legislatures,  and  all  executive  and  judicial  offi- 
cers,  both  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  several  states,  shall  be  bound 
by  oath  or  afifirmation  to  support  this  Constitution  ;  but  no  religious  test 
shall  ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  to  any  office  or  public  trust  under 
the  United  States. 

Article  VII. 

The  ratification  of  the  Conventions  of  nine  states  shall  be  sufficient 
for  the  establishment  of  this  Constitution  between  the  states  so  ratifying 
the  same. 

Done  in  convention  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  states  present,  the 
seventeenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  and  of  the  independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America  the  twelfth.  In  witness  whereof  we  have 
hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 

GEO.  WASHINGTON, 

President  and  Deputy  from  Virginia. 


New  Hampshire. 
John  Langdon, 
Nicholas  Gillian. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel  Gokham, 
RuFus  King. 

Connecticut. 
Wm.  Sam'l  Johnson, 
Roger  Sherman. 


Delaware. 
Geo.  Read, 
John  Dickinson, 
Jaco.  Broom, 
Gunning  Bedford,  Jr., 
Richard  Bassett. 

Maryland. 
James  M'Henry, 
Danl.  Carroll, 
Dan.  of  St.  Thos.  Jenifer. 


Neiv  York. 
Alexander  Hamilton. 

New  Jersey. 
WiL.  Livingston, 
Wm.  Paterson, 
David  Brearley, 
Jona.  Dayton. 


Virginia. 
John  Blair, 
James  Madison,  Jr. 

North  Carolina. 
Wm.  Blount, 
Hu.  Williamson, 
Rich'd  Dobbs  Spaiget. 


Pennsylvania. 
B.  Franklin, 
RoBT.  Morris, 
Thos.  Fitzsimons, 
James  Wilson, 
Thos.  Mifflin, 
Geo.  Clymer, 
Jared  Ingersoll, 
Gouv.  Morris. 


South  Carolina. 
j.  rutledge, 
Charles  Pinckney, 
Chas.  Cotesworth  Pinckney, 
Pierce  Butler. 

Georgia. 
William  Few, 
A  BR.  Baldwin. 

WILLLVM  JACKSON,  Secretary. 


88  AND  ITS   AMENDMENTS. 


Articles  in  Addition  to  and  Amendatory  of  the  Constitution 
OF  THE  United  States  of  America. 

Proposed  ly  Congress  and  ratified  hy  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  states, 
pursuant  to  the  fifth  article  of  the  original  Constitution. 

Article  I. 

Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religion, 
or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof;  or  abridging  the  freedom  of 
speech,  or  of ''the  press;  or  the  right  of  the  people  peaceably  to  assemble, 
and  to  petition  the  Government  for  a  redress  of  grievances. 

Article  II. 

A  well  regulated  militia  being  necessary  to  the  security  of  a  free 
state,  the  right  of  the  people  to  keep  and  bear  arms  shall  not  be  infringed. 

Article  III. 

No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  be  quartered  in  any  house  without 
the  consent  of  the  owner,  nor  in  time  of  war  but  in  a  manner  to  be  pre- 
scribed by  law. 

Article  IV. 

The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons,  houses,  papers, 
and  effects  against  unreasonable  searches  and  seizures,  shall  not  be  vio- 
lated ;  and  no  warrants  shall  issue  but  upon  probable  cause,  supported  by 
oath  or  affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the  place  to  be  uearched 
and  the  persons  or  things  to  be  seized. 

Article  V. 

No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  capital  or  otherwise  infamous 
crime,  unless  on  a  presentment  or  indictment  of  a  Grand  Jury,  except  in 
cases  arising  in  the  land  or  naval  forces,  or  in  the  militia  when  in  actual 
service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger  ;  nor  shall  any  person  be  subject 
for  the  same  offense  to  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  of  life  or  limb  ;  nor  shall 
l)e  compelled  in  any  criminal  case  to  be  a  witness  against  himself,  nor  be 
deprived  of  life,  liberty,  or  property,  without  due  process  of  law ;  nor 
ehall  private  property  be  taken  for  public  use,  without  just  compensation. 

Article  VI. 

In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right  to  a 
epeedy  and  public  trial,  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  state  and  district 
wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been  committed,  which  district  shall  have 
been  previously  ascertained  by  law,  and  to  be  informed  of  the  nature  and 
cause  of  the  accusation ;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses  against  him; 
to  have  compulsory  process  for  obtaining  witnesses  in  his  favor ;  and  to 
have  the  assistance  of  counsel  for  his  defense. 

Article  VII. 

In  suits  at  common  law,  where  the  value  in  controversy  shall  exceed 
twenty  dollars,  the  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  be  preserved,  and  no  fact 


CONSTITUTION   OF  THE   UNITED   STATES  89 

tried  by  a  jury  shall  be  otherwise  re-examined  in  any  court  of  the  United 
States  than  according  to  the  rules  of  the  common  law. 

Article  VIII. 

Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed, 
nor  cruel  and  unusual  punishments  inflicted. 

Article  IX. 

The  enumeration,  in  the  Constitution,  of  certain  rights,  shall  not  be 
construed  to  deny  or  disparage  others  retained  by  the  people. 

Article  X. 

The  powers  not  delegated  to  the  United  States  by  the  Constitution, 
nor  prohibited  by  it  to  the  states,  are  reserved  to  the  states  respectively, 

or  to  the  people. 

Article  XI. 

The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  not  be  construed  to 
extend  to  any  suit  in  law  or  equity  commenced  or  prosecuted  against  one 
of  the  United  States  by  citizens  of  another  state,  or  by  citizens  or  sub- 
jects of  any  foreign  state. 

Article  XII. 

The  Electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  states  and  vote  by  ballot 
for  President  and  Vice-President,  one  of  whom,  at  least,  shall  not  be  an 
inhabitant  of  the  same  state  with  themselves ;  they  shall  name  in  their 
ballots  the  person  to  be  voted  for  as  president,  and  in  distinct  ballots  the 
person  voted  for  as  Vice-President,  and  they  shall  make  distinct  lists  of 
all  persons  voted  for  as  President,  and  of  all  persons  voted  for  as  Vice- 
President,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each,  which  list  they  shall  sign 
and  certify,  and  transmit  sealed  to  the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  directed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate.  The  President  of  the 
Senate  shall,  in  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
open  all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  shall  then  be  counted.  The  person 
having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  for  President  shall  be  the  President, 
if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  Electors  appointed  -, 
and  if  no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from  the  persons  having  the 
highest  number  not  exceeding  three  on  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as 
President,  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  immediately,  by 
ballot,  the  President.  But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  votes  shall  be 
taken  by  States,  the  representation  from  each  state  having  one  vote;  a 
quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  member  or  members  from  two- 
thirds  of  the  states,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  states  shall  be  necessary  to 
a  choice.  And  if  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  not  choose  a  Presi- 
dent whenever  the  right  of  choice  shall  devolve  upon  them,  before  the 
fourth  day  of  March  next  following,  then  the  Vice-President  shall  act  as 
President,  as  in  the  case  of  the  death  or  other  constitutional  disability  of 
the  President.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  as  Vice- 
President,  shall  be  the  Vice-President,  if  such  number  be  the  majority 
of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointed,  and  if  no  person  have  a  major- 


90  AND  ITS  AMENDMENTS. 

ity  then  from  the  two  highest  numbers  on  the  list,  the  Senate  shall  choose 
the  Vice-President ;  a  quorum  for  the  purpose  shall  consist  of  two-thirds 
of  the  whole  number  of  Senators,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number 
shall  .be  necessary  to  a  choice.  But  no  person  constitutionally  ineligilile 
to  (ire  office  of  President  shall  be  eligible  to  that  of  Vice-President  of  the 

United  States. 

Aeticle  XIII. 

Section  1.  Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,  except  as  a 
punishment  for  crime,  whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  duly  convicted, 
shall  exist  within  the  United  States,  or  any  place  subject  to  their  juris- 
diction. 

Sec.  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  this  article  by  appro- 
priate legislation. 

Article  XIV. 

Section  1.  All  persons  born  or  naturalized  in  the  United  States  and 
subject  to  the  jurisdiction  thereof,  are  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and 
of  the  state  wherein  they  reside.  No  state  shall  make  or  enforce  any  law 
which  shall  abridge  the  privileges  or  immunities  of  citizens  of  the  United 
States;  nor  shall  any  state  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty,  or  property, 
without  due  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction 
the  equal  protection  of  the  laws. 

Sec.  2.  Representatives  shall  be  appointed  among  the  several  states 
according  to  their  respective  numbers,  counting  the  whole  number  of  per- 
Bons  in  each  state,  excluding  Indians  not  taxed  ;  but  when  the  right  to 
vote  at  any  election  for  the  choice  of  Electors  for  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States,  Representatives  in  Congress,  the  execu- 
tive and  judicial  officers  of  a  state,  or  the  members  of  the  Legislature 
thereof,  is  denied  to  any  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  such  state,  being 
twenty-one  years  of  age  and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  way 
abridged  except  for  participation  in  rebellion  or  other  crimes,  the  basis  of 
representation  therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  proportion  which  the  num- 
ber of  such  male  citizens  shall  bear  to  the  whole  number  of  male  citizens 
twenty-one  years  of  age  in  such  state. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  "shall  be  a  Senator  or  Representative  in  Congress, 
or  Elector  of  President  and  Vice-President,  or  hold  any  office,  civil  or 
military,  under  the  United  States,  or  under  any  state,  who,  having  previ- 
ously taken  an  oath  as  a  Member  of  Congress,  or  as  an  officer  of  the 
United  States,  or  as  a  member  of  any  state  Legislature,  or  as  an  execu- 
tive or  judicial  officer  of  any  state  to  support  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  shall  have  engaged  in  insurrection  or  rebellion  against  the 
Bame,  or  given  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies  thereof.  But  Congress  may 
by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  house,  remove  such  disalulity. 

Sec.  4.  The  validity  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  States  author- 
ized by  law,  including  debts  incurred  for  payment  of  pensions  and  boun- 
ties for  services  in  suppressing  insurrection  or  rebellion,  shall  not  be  ques- 
tioned. But  neither  the  United  States  nor  any  state  shall  pay  any  debt 
or  ol)ligation  incurred  in  the  aid  of  insurrection  or  rebellion  against  the 
United  States,  or  any  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave,  but  such  debts, 
obligations,  and  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  and  void. 


CONSTITUTION   OP   THE   UNITED   STATES. 

Article  XV. 


Section  1.  The  right  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  vote  shall  not 
be  denied  or  abridged  by  the  United  States,  or  by  any  State,  on  account  of  jace, 
color,  or  previous  condion  of  servitude. 


PERRY'S  MONUMENT,  CLEVELAND,  OHIO. 

On  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan  Southern  Railway. 


PART    II. 


HISTORY  OF  GUMBERLMD  COUNTY. 


BY   J,    n.    BATTLE. 


ORGANIZATION  AND  DEVELOPMENT. 

.    OKIGIX    OF   THE    COUNTY. 

nr^HE  region  of  country  now  contained  within  the  limits  of  Cum- 
-^  berland  County,  III.,  was  subject  to  the  legal  jurisdiction  of 
various  seats  of  justice  before  it  became  the  home  of  citizens.  Its 
earlier  allegiance  was  paid  to  Darwin,  the  early  county-seat  of  Clark 
County.  Crawford  County  was  organized  in  181H,  and  originally 
comprised  the  territory  included  between  the  Wabash  and  Kaskas- 
kia  rivers,  and  from  its  present  southern  line  to  the  northern  limits 
of  the  United  States.  In  the  following  year,  Clark  County  was 
formed,  including  all  the  territory  of  Crawford  north  of  its  present 
northern  boundary,  between  the  two  rivers.  The  fircvt  white  settlers 
in  this  region  found  it  tributtiry  to  D.irwin  and  a  part  of  Clark 
Comity.  In  1821,  Fayette  County  curtailed  the  original  extent  of 
Clark  on  the  west,  and  in  1823  by  the  formation  of  Edgar,  in  1827 
by  Shelby,  and  in  1831  by  Coles.  The  inhalntants  of  this  region 
at  this  time  were  too  few  and  scattered  to  exercise  much  influence 
upon  the  formation  of  its  parent  county,  Coles,  and  it  seems  to  have 
been  formed  in  accordance  with  the  natural  law  of  development  of 
the  State.  Darwin,  the  center  of  trade,  as  well  as  governmental 
influence,  proved  so  inconveniently  distant  for  so  many  that  the 
growing  population  demanded  better  facilities,  and  the  new  county 
was  formed.  The  records  of  Cumborhmd  County  show,  of  course, 
no  account  of  this  early  separation  from  Clark  County,  nor,  in  fact, 
ot  the  separation  from  Coles.  Although  some  movement  was  early 
made  to  transcribe  the  records  pertaining  to  the  original  history  of 
Cumberland,  nothing  of  this  was  eftected.  With  the  increase  of 
population  and  the  construction  of  the  great  National  road,  the  peo- 
ple here  became  dis,satir>fli'(l  with  th;'  remoteness  of  the  county-seat, 
and  anxious  to  build  \\\^  i)rivate  interests  which  early  clustered  along 

6  91 


92  HISTORY   OF  CUMBEIiLAND   COUNTY. 

the  great  thorouglit'are,  the  leading  men  moved  for  the  erection  of 
a  new  county.  It  was  generally  agreed  that  Coles  County,  which 
included  Douglas  and  Cumberland  as  well,  was  too  large  and  would 
necessarily  be  divided  sooner  or  later,  and  a  contest,  mainly  supported 
by  various  towns  ambitious  to  serve  as  the  seat  of  justice,  early 
spranor  up  over  the  method  of  division.  The  people  of  Charleston 
desired  the  territory  to  be  divided  into  three  counties  so  as  to  leave 
that  point  the  central  place  in  the  county,  and  hence  the  inevitable 
county-seat  of  the  new  county  of  Coles.  Other  localities  desired  an 
equal  division  of  the  territory  into  two  counties,  and  the  two  propo- 
sitions were  known  respectively  as  the  "  crop  "  and  "  split "  plans. 
This  topic  was  the  great  overshadowing  issue  in  at  least  three  cam- 
paiofns,  the  candidates  for  the  legislature  announcing  themselves  on 
the  stump  as  favoring  the  one  plan  or  the  other.  Twice  were  can- 
didates elected  to  favor  the  division  of  the  county,  but  in  each  case 
the  opposition  mustered  so  strong  an  influence  that  no  division  was 
made.  In  1842,  Starkweather  announced  his  position  as  first  for  a 
"  split,"  second  for  a  "  crop,"  but  in  any  event  for  a  new  county, 
and  on  this  platform  he  was  elected.  The  efibrt  culminated  in  an 
act  of  the  legislature,  which  was  approved  March  2,  1843.  This  act 
provided:  "  That,  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  May  next,  all  that 
part  of  Coles  County  lying  south  of  a  line  beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Section  30,  in  Township  11  north  of  Range  7  east  ot 
the  third  principal  mericUan  line,  running  thence  east  along  the  sev- 
eral section-lines  to  the  western  boundary  line  of  Clark  County, 
shall  form  a  new  county  to  be  called  Cumberland  County. 

"  Sec.  2.  An  election  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  April 
next,  at  the  town  of  Greenup,  and  at  the  town  of  Woodbury,  at  the 
house  of  James  Gill,  at  Bcni  White's,  Berry's  Mill,  at  Rufl"ner's,  at 
Long  Point,  for  the  election  of  a  Sheriff,  Coroner,  County  Recorder, 
County  Surveyor,  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Clerk  of  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court,  County  Treasurer,  School  Commissioner,  and 
three  County  Conunissioners  for  the  said  county  of  Cumberland,  at 
which  said  election  anv  number  of  leofal  voters  not  less  than  fifteen, 
who  shall  be  present,  may  choose  from  among  themselves  a  suflicient 
number  of  persons  to  act  as  judges  of  said  election,  who,  after  being 
sworn,  as  also  the  clerks,  shall  proceed  to  open  and  hold  said  elec- 
tion according  to  the  rules  and  regulations  prescribed  by  law  for 
conducting  general  elections  in  this  State,  at  which  said  election  all 
persons,  entitled  by  law,  residing  in  the  boundaries  prescribed  for 
Cumberland  County,  to  vote  for  members  of  the  General  Assembly, 
shall  I»e  entitled  to  vote  at  said  election. 


HI8TOKY    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  93 

"  Sec.  3.  Alter  the  said  election  shall  be  closed,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  judges  and  clerks  holdini^  the  same  to  affix  to  each  of  the 
poll-books  a  statement  of  the  names  of  each  person  voted  for  and  the 
otfice  he  was  intended  to  fill,  and  the  number  of  votes  such  person 
received,  and  certify  the  same;  one  of  which  said  i)oll-books  they 
shall  seal  up  under  an  envelope,  directed  to  John  Wolf,  Judson 
HoUey,  and  Alexander  ]\Iagre\v,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  one  ot 
the  said  judges  or  clerks  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  said  persons  on 
or  before  the  third  day  after  the  close  of  the  said  election;  and  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  said  Wolf,  HoUey  and  Magrew,  or  any  two  of 
them,  to  meet  at  the  town  of  Greenup  on  the  third  day  after  the 
close  of  said  election,  and  if  the  polls  of  said  election  shall  be  deliv- 
ered to  them,  or  either  of  them,  to  proceed  to  open  the  said  election 
returns,  and  after  comparing  the  returns  of  said  election,  they  shall 
make  out  a  written  statement  thereof,  and  shall  transmit  a  copy 
thereof,  certified  by  them,  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  State  to  make  out  commissions  to  such 
of  the  persons  as  shall  appear  to  be  elected,  who  are  entitled  by  law 
to  be  commissioned  by  the  Governor,  and  transmit  the  same  to  the 
persons  so  commissioned;  provided,  however,  that  contested  elections 
for  any  of  the  above  named  officers  shall  be  determined  according  to 
the  principles  contained  in  the  laws  of  this  State  concerning  con- 
tested elections. 

"  Sec.  4.  The  seat  of  justice  for  Cumberland  County  shall,  for 
the  present,  be  at  the  town  of  Greenup,  and  shall,  hereafter,  be  per- 
manently located  in  the  following  manner,  to-wit:  At  the  general 
election,  to  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  August  next,  a  poll-book 
shall  be  opened  for  the  dift'erent  points  to  be  run  for  the  county-seat; 
provided,  hoioever,  that  no  place  shall  be  voted  for  unless  its  propri- 
etors or  friends  shall,  at  least  twenty  days  previous  to  said  election, 
execute  a  bond  with  sufficient  security,  designating  the  quantity  of 
land  patented  by  General  Government  and  free  from  legal  incum- 
brances, setting  forth  the  metes  and  bounds  of  said  land,  or  the 
number  and  location  of  town  lots,  or  the  amount  of  money,  work,  or 
labor,  or  materials  to  be  used  in  erecting  the  county  buildings  which 
the  proprietors  or  friends  of  any  point  may  propose  to  give,  which 
said  bond  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners' Court,  and  be  filed  in  their  office;  and  at  said  election  a  col- 
umn shall  be  opened  for  each  point  whose  friends  shall  have  executed 
bond  as  aforesaid,  and  all  persons  qualified  at  the  time  for  holding 
.said  election  to  vote  for  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  be 
entitled  to  vote  for  the  location  of  said  seat  of  justice,  and  the  point. 


1)4  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

if  any,  receiving  the  majority  of  the  legal  votes  cast  at  said  election, 
shall  be  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  said  Cumberland  County. 
"When  the  votes  of  said  election  are  compared  by  the  proper  officers, 
if  it  shall  appear  that  neither  one  of  the  points  voted  for  shall  have 
received  a  majority  of  the  whole  votes  cast,  then  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  County  Conmiissioners'  Court  to  appoint  a  day  within  three 
months  thereafter  for  holding  another  election,  and  shall  publish 
written  notices  thereof  in  at  least  six  of  the  most  public  places  in 
the  county,  for  one  month,  and  a  column  shall  be  opened  at  each 
election  precinct,  for  the  two  points  having  received  the  highest 
number  of  votes  at  the  preceding  election,  and  the  point  receiving 
the  highest  number  of  votes  at  said  second  election  shall  be  the  per- 
manent seat  of  justice;  and  if  changed  from  the  town  of  Greenup 
the  offices  shall  be  removed  to  said  new  seat  of  justice  so  soon  as 
public  Iniildings  can  be  prepared  therefor.  If  any  shall  desire  to 
contest  the  election  in  regard  to  the  seat  of  justice,  they  shall, 
ivithin  thirty  days,  thereafter,  give  notice  that  they  will  proceed 
before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  county  to  take  depositions  that 
certain  persons  (naming  them)  who  voted  at  said  election  were  not 
qualified  voters,  or  that  fraud  or  unftiirness  (stating  in  what  such 
fraud  or  unfairness  consisted)  was  practiced  in  said  election;  at  which 
time  and  place  all  the  testimony  on  both  sides  shall  be  written  down, 
and  the  matter  in  controversy  shall  be  decided  by  the  County  Com- 
missioners' Court,  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  Circuit  Court  at  any 
time  within  twenty  days  after  the  decision  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners' Court;  provided,  that  the  notice  in  regard  to  the  contested 
election  as  to  the  seat  of  justice  shall  be  posted  up  in  six  of  the 
most  public  places  in  the  county.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com- 
missioners' Court  of  Cumberland  County  to  cause  public  buildings 
to  be  erected  at  the  ])ermanent  seat  of  justice  when  located  in  the 
manner  provided  in  this  act,  and  for  that  purpose  they  are  hereby 
authorized  to  lay  ofl*  any  land  that  may  be  donated  to,  or  acquired 
for  the  county,  into  town  lots,  and  may  sell  and  convey  all  or  any 
part  of  such  land  or  town  lots,  so  donated  or  acquired,  and  appro- 
l)riate  any  money,  work  or  labor,  or  materials  owned  by  or  due  to 
said  county  in  the  construction  of  county  buildings  as  aforesaid. 

"Sec.  5.  All  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Constables  residing  in 
Coles  County,  and  in  oifice  on  the  first  jSlonday  of  May  next,  shall 
continue  in  office  and  exercise  all  the  duties  required  of  them  by  law 
in  Cumberland  County  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  and 
(pialificd  according  to  law,  and  shall  be  liable  to  the  same  penalties 
for  omission  of  duty  as  if  no  change  or  division  of  Coles  County  had 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERL^iiND   COUNTi'.  95 

taken  j)liK'e  uiuler  this  act,  and  be  entitled  to  the  same  emolnments 
for  their  services. 

"  Sec.  6.  That  at  the  next  biennial  election  for  Representatives 
to  the  General  Assembly,  and  nntil  another  apportionment  of  Rep- 
resentatives shall  l)e  made,  the  Connty  of  Cnmberland  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  elect  one  Representative  separate  from  Coles  County,  and 
Coles  County  shall  sei)arately  be  entitled  to  elect  two  Representa- 
tives, and  no  more,  and,  nntil  a  new  apportionment  of  Senators  shall 
be  made,  the  county  of  Cinnl)erland  shall  vote  with  the  counties  of 
Coles  and  Clark  for  the  election  of  a  Senator,  and  the  Clerk  of  the 
County  Commissioners'  Court  of  Cumberland  shall  attend  at  the 
Clerk's  olfice  of  Coles  County  to  compare  polls,  at  the  same  time 
now  pro\ided  by  law  for  the  Clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  of  Clark  County  to  attend,  and  compare  the  votes  for  Sena- 
tor, and  to  join  in  making  a  certificate  thereof  to  the  person  elected. 

"  Sec.  7.  At  the  election  to  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in 
August  next,  for  county  ofiicers  for  Cumberland  County,  the  person 
receiving  the  highest  vote  for  County  Commissioner  shall  be  entitled 
to  hold  his  office  three  years;  the  person  having  the  next  highest, 
two  years;  and  the  next  highest,  one  year,  according  to  the  provis- 
ions of  the  law  concerning  the  election  of  County  Commissioners. 

"  Sec.  8.  The  county  of  Cuml:>erland  when  organized  according 
to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  shall  be  deemed  and  considered,  from 
and  after  the  first  day  of  May  next,  one  of  the  counties  of  this  State, 
and  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  powers  generally  conferred  upon 
and  allowed  by  the  constitution  and  laws  to  other  counties  in  this 
State,  and  to  the  officers  thereof. 

"  Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditor  of  Public  Accounts 
to  make  out  and  transmit  to  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of 
Cumberland  County,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  June  next,  a  list 
of  all  lands  within  the  boundaries  of  Cumberland  County  subject 
to  taxation,  for  State  and  county  purposes,  and  annually  thereafter, 
as  re(|uired  by  law;  and  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  said 
county  shall  direct  the  assessment  and  collection  of  taxes  in  said 
county  for  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-three, 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  revenue  laws  of  this  State,  and 
direct  the  collection  and  appropriation  thereof,  as  required  by  law 
in  other  counties. 

"  Sec.  10.  All  taxes  assessed  and  uncollected  in  Coles  County 
for  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-two,  and  previous 
thereto,  of  persons  residing  in  Cumberland  County,  after  the  first 
of  May  next,  and  all  judgments,  executions  and  fees  due  to  officers 


96  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

in  Coles  County,  iij^ainst  any  person  or  persons  residing  in  Cumber- 
land County,  may  be  collected  and  accounted  for  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  if  no  division  of  the  county  had  taken  place  by  virtue  of 

this  act. 

"Sec.  11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  of  Cumberland  County,  after  the  organization  thereof,  accord- 
inir  to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  to  certify  the  same  to  the  judge  or 
justice  required  to  hold  Grcuit  Courts  in  Coles  County,  and  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  said  judge  or  justice  to  fix  the  time  of  holding 
Circuit  Courts  in  Cumberland  County,  until  otherwise  provided  by 
law,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  hold  the  said  courts  accordingly. 

"  Sec.  12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  of  Coles  County  to  ascertain  from  the  State  census  taken  in  the 
year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty,  as  near  as  they  can,  the 
amount  of  school,  college  and  seminary  funds  which  the  inhabitants 
residing  within  the  limits  of  Cumberland  County  were  entitled  to 
receive  as  a  part  of  Coles  County,  for  the  year  one  thousiind  eight 
hundred  and  forty-two,  and  how  much,  if  any,  is  due  and  unpaid  to 
the  township  treasurers  or  to  teachers,  and  also  what  would  be  the 
proportionable  part  of  the  school,  seminary  and  college  funds  for 
the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-three,  and  certify  the  same  to 
the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  Cumberland  County,  and  direct 
the  School  Counnissioner  of  Coles  County  to  pay  the  same  over  to 
the  School  Commissioner  of  Cumberland  County,  and  also  to  deliver 
over  all  notes,  money,  bonds,  mortgages  and  papers,  properly  apper- 
taining): to  school  lands  in  the  boundaries  of  Cumberland  County, 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  School  Conunissioner  of  Cumberland 
County  to  receive,  keep,  collect,  pay  out,  and  account  for  the  same 
according  to  law. 

"Sec.  13.  That  Cumberland  County  is  hereby  attached  to  and 
shall  form  part  of  the  same  congressional  district  in  which  Coles 
may  be  placed." 

Under  the  provisions  of  this  act  an  election  was  held 
on  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1843,  which  resulted  in  the  choice 
of  Thomas  Sconce,  for  Shcritf;  Hiram  Buell,  for  Coroner;  Judson  F. 
Holly,  for  County  Clerk;  E.  11.  Starkweather,  for  Probate  Justice 
of  the  Peaces  Otis  Perry,  for  County  Kecorder;  Abrani  Trease,  for 
Treasurer;  Daniel  C.  Dccius,  for  School  Conunissioner;  and  James 
Gill,  Charles  P.  Chowning  and  David  T.  Wisner. 

ORIGIN    OF   THE    COUNTY's    NAME. 

The  origin  of  the  county's  name  seems  to  have  been  derived 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  97 

from  the  original  name  of  the  great  National  thoroughfare  that  passes 
through  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county.  Before  the  time  of 
railroads  the  construction  of  this  road  was  a  work  of  wide-spread 
importance,  and  to  the  early  settlers,  whose  experience  aftbrded  no 
criterion  to  judge  of  the  mighty  revolutions  to  be  cftected  in  the 
future  by  railroads,  it  seemed  destined  to  develop  this  section  far  y 
more  ra[)idly  than  less  favored  sections.  To  their  view  there  was  no 
inappropriateness  in  associating  the  name  of  this  highway  with  that 
of  the  new  county.  In  the  first  year  of  Monroe's  administration  the 
question  of  internal  improvements  began  to  be  the  prominent  ques- 
tion of  the  hour.  The  vast  extent  of  territory  opening  up  in  the 
West  made  it  necessary  to  devise  and  provide  more  suitable  means 
of  communication  between  the  distiint  parts  of  the  country.  With- 
out railroads  or  canals  or  even  good  wagon-ways,  the  people  in  the 
West  suflered  greatly  from  their  inability  to  reach  a  profitable  mar- 
ket, while  the  more  thickly  settled  portions  of  the  East  were  entirely 
deprived  of  the  advantages  growing  out  of  the  rapid  settlement 
of  the  West.  The  people  of  the  West  felt  the  burden  of  the  situ- 
ation most,  and  their  demand  for  relief  was  soon  taken  up  by  the 
statesmen  of  the  country.  The  necessity  for  some  relief  was  admit- 
ted by  all,  but  the  method  by  which  it  should  be  accomplished  was 
not  so  clearly  seen.  The  leading  statesmen  held  that  congress  was 
powerless  in  the  matter,  but  the  pressure  became  so  great  that  in 
1817  congress  appropriated  money  and  ordered  the  construction  of 
a  National  highway,  from  Cumberland,  Maryland,  to  Wheeling,  Vir- 
ginia. Subsequent  administrations,  with  less  legal  qualms,  com- 
pleted its  construction  through  Columbus,  Ohio,  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
and  Vandalia,  III.,  to  Saint  Louis.  This  road  was  constructed  through 
this  county  about  1835,  and  became  a  famous  stage  route.  The  coun- 
try along  its  line  rapidly  developed,  and  until  the  railroad  robbed 
it  of  its  early  prestige,  the  "  Cumberland  road  "  was  the  great  com- 
mercial artery  which  carried  "  the  calm  health  of  nations  "  east  and 
west  through  the  land.  — 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The  County  of  Cumberland,  thus  organized  and  named,  lies  in 
the  southern  tier  of  what  is  arbitrarily  called  Central  Illinois;  on 
the  border  of  that  illy-defined  section  popularly  known  as  Egypt. 
It  contains  eight  full  and  four  fractional  townshi[)s,  making  a  total 
area  of  336  square  miles,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Coles  County, 
on  the  east  by  Clark,  on  the  south  by  Jasper  and  Effingham,  and 
on  the  west  by  Eflingham  and  Shelby  counties.     The  central  portion 


98  HISTOKY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  the  county,  iiloiiir  the  Embarrass  River  and  its  tributaries,  is 
well  timbered,  while  the  eastern  and  western  portions  are  mainly 
prairie.  The  bottom  lands  along  the  river  are  usually  from  half  a 
mile  to  a  mile  or  more  in  width,  and  heavily  timbered  with  the 
usual  varieties  found  growing  upon  the  bottom  lands  in  Central 
Illinois.  The  prairie  lands  are  from  71  to  100  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  river,:  and  are  generall}'  rolling,  though  occasional  tracts  of  level 
prairie  arb  found.  The  general  trend  of  the  water  courses  is  south- 
ward. The  Embarrass,  the  French  pronunciation  of  which  has  de- 
generated into  the  local  name  of  "Ambrau,"  traverses  the  county 
from  north  to  south,  and  with  its  affluents  is  the  only  stream  within 
the  count3^  This  stream  rises  three  or  four  miles  northeast  of 
Tolona,  in  Champaign  County,  and  enters  Cumberland  County  about 
nine  miles  from  the  eastern  line.  From  this  point  it  flows,  save  one 
or  two  abrupt  and  somewhat  extensive  bends,  directly  south  to 
Greenup,  and  then  bearing  to  the  southwest,  it  passes  over  the 
southern  boundary  about  twelve  miles  from  the  eastern  line.  Its 
branches  in  this  county,  beginning  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  county, 
are:  Crooked  Creek,  which  rises  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county, 
and  flowing  directly  south,  becomes  a  stream  of  some  importance 
in  Jasper  County,  and  finds  its  way  to  the  Embarrass,  east  of  Newton; 
Range  Creek,  w^hich  rises  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  Clark,  and, 
passing  diagonally  across  Cumberland,  joins  the  Embarrass  in 
the  northern  part  of  Jasper;  Lost  Creek  and  Hurricane  Creek 
are  smaller  tributaries  that  flow  diagonall}^  southwesterly  across 
Union  Township  and  find  their  rise  and  outlet  M^ithin  its  borders; 
Muddy  River,  which  is  the  principal  tributary  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Embarrass,  takes  its  rise  in  the  southern  part  of  Coles  County, 
and  the  northern  part  of  Cumberland  County,  and  flowing  much  the 
same  course  as  the  larger  stream,  takes  its  course  southAvard  about 
five  miles  distant,  until  it  nears  the  central  part  of  the  county,  when 
with  a  bold  sweep  to  the  southwest  it  suddenly  comes  to  the  east 
and  joins  the  "brimming  river"  about  a  mile  from  the  southern 
boundary  of  the  county.  The  Cottonwood  is  properly  a  branch  ot 
the  Muddy,  and  flows  a  regular  course  between  the  ]\Iuddy  and  the 
Embarrass,  uniting  with  the  former  some  five  miles  from  its  mouth. 
Mule  Creek  heads  in  the  northAvest  corner  of  the  county,  and  joins 
the  Muddy  from  the  west  some  four  or  five  miles  above  the  Cotton- 
wood. 8i)ring  Point  Creek  rises  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  and  flows  a  generally  easterly  course  to  the  Embarrass 
between  the  points  of  contact  of  the  other  two. 


IIISTOIIY    OF    CUMBEHLAM)    ('OUNTV.  99 

GEOLOGY. 

The  supcvfioial  deposits  of  this  county  C()m])rise  the  alluvial  bot- 
toms of  the  Embarrass  and  its  tributaries,  and  a  considerable  thickness 
of  gravolly  clays  and  hanl  pan  which  increases  in  depth  to  the  north- 
ward. In  the  southern  portion  of  the  county  the  drift  deposits  range 
from  twenty  to  forty  feet  in  thickness,  consistins:  mainly  of  brown  or 
butf  gravelly  clays  with  numerous  bowlders;  but  to  the  northward 
this  thickuess  is  increased  to  tifty  or  seventy-five  feet,  the  lower  portion 
being  a  bluish-gray  hard  pan  simi  1  iar  to  that  seen  in  Clark.  Bowlders 
of  considerable  size  are  not  uncommon  and  native  copper  and  also 
specimens  of  the  sulphuret  of  that  metal  are  said  to  have  been  found  in 
the  dri  ft  gravel  in  this  county.  A  bed  of  potter's  clay  of  fair  quj|lity  is 
found  in  the  drift -clays  in  the  vicinity  of  Greenup,  from  four  to  six 
feet  in  thickness,  from  which  a  fair  article  of  stoneware  is  made. 

All  the  rock  formations  of  this  county  below  the  drift  belong  to 
the  upper  coal  measures,  and  include  the  beds  intervening  between 
the  Quarry  Creek  limestone  of  Clark  County  and  the  Shelbyville  coal 
of  Shelby  County,  making  an  aggregate  thickness  of  200  to  250  feet. 
Not  more  than  one-half  of  these  beds  are  exposed  in  the  county,  and 
reliance  is  had  mainly  upon  borings  made  at  Greenup,  and  a  general 
acquaintance  with  out-crops  in  adjoining  counties,  for  a  full  descrip- 
tion of  the  strata. 

The  following  is  a  record  of  the  bore  made  just  north  of  the 
town  of  Greenup  by  Messrs.  Dunlap  &  Co.,  in  186G,  for  oil  : 

1.  Shale 51  feet        5.  Very  hard  rock  (limestone  shale)  5  feet 

2.  Sandstone 11    "  6    Gray  shale  and  sandstone 69   " 

3.  Shale 102    "  7.  White  sandstone  and  shale 45    " 

4.  Blk.  bituminous  &  gray  shale,  17    "  8.  Sandstone - 35    " 

Total .335  feet. 

The  very  hard  rock.  No.  5,  which  was  found  here  at  the  depth  of 
181  feet  is  probably  the  Quarry  Creek  limestone.  Another  boring  was 
subsequently  made  by  Mr.  Talbot  near  his  mill  at  the  railroad  depot, 
for  coal,  and  the  following  is  his  report  given  from  memory: 

1.  Soft  sandstone ...15  feet.        11.  Shale 17  feet.     inch. 

2.  Grayshale ...65    "  12.  Blackshale 5    " 

3.  Black  shale 2    "  13.  Coal "      3    " 

4.  Hard  sandstone .8    "  14.  Clay  shale. 20    "  " 

5.  Shale,    dark  colored   toward  15.  Black  rock 1    "      8    " 

bottom 20    "  16.  Darkshale 8    " 

6.  Hard  sandstone 5    "  17.  Black  slate 8    " 

7.  Shale 8    "  18.  Coal 0    "      3" 

8.  Dark  hard  rock 4    '*  19.  Fireclay 4 

9.  Shale 13    "  20.  Shale  with  pebbles.. .16 

10.  Hard  rock,  probably  limestone  3    "  — 

Total. 223  ft.      2  in. 


100  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

As  this  boriuo-  was  made  especially  iu  search  of  coal,  it  is  probable 
that  closer  attention  was  given  to  the  character  of  the  beds  passed 
through  than  at  the  other,  and  the  section  reported  corresponds  much 
better  with  the  out-crops  in  Clark  County.  The  hard  rock,  which 
probably  represents  the  Quarry  Creek  limestone,  was  found  in  the 
Tall)ot  boring  at  a  depth  of  140,  while  at  the  Dunlap  well  it  was 
reported  at  181  feet,  although  the  latter  well  was  commenced  at  a 
level  at  least  ten  to  fifteen  feet  below  the  former  ;  hence  it  may  be 
inferred  that  the  reported  depth  of  the  boring  was  no  more  reliable 
than  the  character  of  the  strata  that  were  penetrated.  Both  these 
borings  connnence  below  the  Fusulina  limestone  w^hich  out-crops  in 
the  l)lutFs  of  the  Embarrass  from  the  bridge  west  of  Greenup  to  the 
north  line  of  the  county. 

In  the  blufi's  of  the  Embarrass,  one  mile  west  of  Greenup  the  fol- 
lowing section  at  the  bridge  on  the  old  National  road  is  found: 

1.  Gravelly  drift  clay,    buff,    yel-  4.  Impure  ferruginous  lime- 
low,  ash-gray 32  feet  stone 1  foot,  6  inch 

2.  Thin  bedded   micaceous  sand-  5.  Thin  bedded  sandstone 
stone 6    ','  and  sandy  shale 15      " 

3.  Argillaceous  shales,    with  a                     6.  Slope   covering    shales 
streak  of  coaly  matter 16   "  to  river  bed 12     " 

A  mile  north  of  the  bridge  the  limestone  thickens  to  three  feet 
or  more,  and  is  a  nodular  gray  argillaceous  rock,  rather  more  calca- 
reous than  at  the  bridge  below,  nodular  and  thin  bedded,  but  con- 
taining a  few  fossils.  This  is  the  only  limestone  found  in  the  county, 
and  varies  in  thickness  from  eighteen  inches  to  eight  or  ten  feet,  or 
more,  at  the  difi'ereut  out-crops  examined.  It  is  usually  too  argilla- 
ceous to  slack  freely  when  burned,  and  too  nodular  and  irregularly 
bedded  along  the  Embarrass  to  furnish  a  good  quality  qi  building 
stone. 

The  sandstone  underlaying  the  limestone  in  the  above  section 
affords  layers  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  in  thickness  and  was  used 
in  the  abutments  for  the  bridge  at  this  point  ;  but  not  being 
carefully  selected,  the  sbily  layers  soon  gave  way,  endjmgering  the 
whole  structure,  so  that  it  had  to  be  abandoned. 

On  the  branch  north  of  the  town  of  Grocniip  where  the  oil-well 
was  located,  the  following  beds  outcrop  in  the  bluff  on  the  south 
side  of  the  stream  : 

1.  Yellow  drift  clays 10    to  12  feet 

2.  Nodular,  brown  impure  limestone  to  the  crook  bed 1^  to    2    " 

3.  Sandy  and  argillaceous  shales,  with  thin  layers  of  sandstone 30    to  40    " 

A  short  distiince  above  Ryan's  ford,  and  about  two  miles  below  the 
north  line  of  the  county,  this  limestone  is  well  exposed,  showing  a 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBEIiLAND   COUNTY.  101 

bench  of  rou<2rh,  irregular  bedded,  brownish-gi'ay,  nodular,  argilla- 
ceous limestone,  from  8  to  10  feet  in  thickness,  outcropping  just 
above  the  bed  of  the  river.  The  upper  part  of  the  bed  is  of  brownish- 
gray,  and  the  lower  part  a  greenish-gray  color.  Numerous  small 
fossils  are  found  here.  Tlic  limestone  is  underlaid  here  l)y  a  green- 
ish clay  shale,  of  which  not  more  than  two  feet  in  thickness  were 
visible  above  the  bed  of  the  river.  Descending  the  river  from  the 
ford  towards  Greenup  the  limestone  gradually  rises  in  the  river  bluft", 
and  four  miles  below  Ryan's  it  is  found  about  twenty  feet  above  the 
river  level  associated  with  sandstone  and  shale. 

On  Mr.  Cullum's  land  southwest  of  Jewett,  the  southeast  quar- 
ter of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  26,  Township  9,  Rmge  8,  a 
quarry  was  opened  in  a  hard  bluish-gray  micaceous  sandstone,  of 
which  some  eight  to  ten  feet  are  exposed.  The  rock  is  very  hard,  and 
aflbrds  a  durable  building  stone.  A  quarter  of  a  mile  below  this  quarry 
on  the  main  creek,  sandy  shales  form  the  main  portion  of  the  bluff, 
overlaid  by  a  hard,  brittle  argillaceous  limestone,  which  was  seen 
only  in  tumbling  blocks,  indicating  a  thickness  of  about  eighteen 
inches.  Following  down  the  creek  these  lower  shales  appeiir  at  inter- 
vals in  the  blufls  of  the  stream  nearly  to  the  bridge  south  of  Jewett. 
North  of  the  bridge  towards  the  town  several  quarries  have  been 
opened  in  the  same  bed  of  sandstone  that  appears  on  Mr.  Cullum's 
place. 

On  Long  Point,  a  tributary  of  the  Embarrass,  which  enters  the 
main  river  from  the  eastward  six  miles  south  of  Greenup,  no  out- 
crops of  rock  were  found,  the  blufis  of  the  streams  being  composed, 
so  far  as  could  be  seen,  of  drift  clays  from  30  to  40  feet  or  more  in 
thickness. 

On  Webster  Creek,  Section  33,  Township  9,  Eange  8,  a  thin  coal  is 
found  from  4  to  6  inches  thick,  associated  with  the  following  beds: 

ft.  in.                                                                                   't. 

1.  Blue  and  brown  argillaceous  6.  Clay  shale,  partially  exposed.  10  to  15 
shales 3  7.  Concretionary  sandstone  and 

2.  Band  of  brown  argillaceous  sand  shale 12  to  15 

iron  ore,  with  fossils 6  to  8        8.  Gray  and  brown  impure  lime 

3.  Shalyclay 4  stone 2 

4.  Coal 6        9.  Dark  gray  sandy  shales 20  to  25 

5.  Bituminous  shale 2 

The  band  of  argillaceous  iron  stone,  or  more  properly  speaking  an 
argillo-ferruginous  limestone,  contains  numeroas  fossil  shells  in  a  fine 
state  of  preservation.  The  impure  limestone.  No.  8,  of  the  fore- 
going section,  is  probably  identical  with  the  Fasuliua  bed,  although 
the  characteristic  fossils  could  not  be  found  in  it  at  this  locality. 


102  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

This  limestone  thins  out  in  the  sonth  part  of  the  county,  and  the 
most  southerly  out-crops  o])served  contain  few  or  no  fossils,  l)ut  the 
out-crops  are  so  continuous  on  the  Embarrass  and  its  western  aliiuents 
that  there  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  they  all  belong  to  the  same 
formation. 

In  Coles  county  this  limestone  continues  alonof  the  valley  of  the 
Embarrass  at  least  as  far  north  as  the  mouth  of  Brush  Creek,  where  it 
overlays  a  seam  of  coal,  No.  IG  of  the  Illinois  section,  while  the  six- 
inch  coal  in  the  foregoing  section  most  probably  represents  the  thin 
coal,  or  highest  seam  of  the  general  section. 

Professor  Cox  reports  a  coal  seam  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west 
of  the  county  line  in  Shelby  County,  which  from  its  thickness  and 
general  character  agrees  ver}^  well  with  the  Shel])yville  coal,  or  No. 
15  of  the  general  section.  About  200  yards  west  of  the  point  where 
the  coal  was  opened,  on  a  branch  of  the  Little  Wabash  Eiver,  there 
were  ten  feet  of  blue  argillaceous  shale  above  the  coal,  Avhich  further 
down  the  stream  gives  place  to  a  thick  bedded  sandstone.  He  also 
reports  the  Fusulina  limestone  or  Bear  Creek,  Section  22,  Township 
10,  l^mge  8,  where  the  bed  is  four  feet  thick,  overlayed  b}'  twentj^  feet 
of  sandstone.  At  Prairie  City  the  limestone  was  passed  through  in 
sinking  the  well  at  the  mill,  and  found  to  be  four  feet  thick,  with 
shales  above  and  below  it. 

The  trend  of  the  strata  in  this  county  is  evidently  very  nearly 
north  and  south,  as  the  course  of  the  Embarrass  is  on  nearly  the  same 
geological  level  through  this  county  and  Coles  for  a  distance  of 
twenty-live  to  thirty  miles  or  more,  and  the  dip,  if  any,  is  apparently 
to  the  westward. 

There  are  no  streams  in  either  county  that  intersect  the  sreneral 
out-crop  in  an  east  and  west  direction,  and  no  connected  section  of 
the  out-cropping  formations  could  therefore  be  made.  The  small 
streams  do  not  cut  through  the  heavy  drift  deposits,  and  hence  ex- 
posures of  the  coal  measures  are  onl}^  to  be  met  with  on  the  Em- 
barrass and  the  loMer  courses  of  its  main  atHuents. 

MATERIAL    RESOURCES. 

No  workal)le  coal  out-crops  in  this  county,  unless  the  seam  men- 
tioned above  as  occurring  on  the  waters  of  the  Little  Wabash  just 
over  the  line  in  Shelby  County  may  be  found  in  the  northwest  corner 
of  Cumberland.  The  coal  l)elow  the  Fusulina  limestone  in  Coles 
County  seems  nol  to  have  been  develoi)ed  in  Cumberland,  and  the 
seam  above  the  limestone  is  too  thin  to  be  of  any  practical  value. 
For  deep  iniuiug  in  this  county  a  shaft  would  have  to  be  carried  down 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  103 

from  600  to  1,000  feet  to  reiich  the  main  coals  of  the  lower  measures. 
This  would  require  an  expenditure  of  capital  that  the  present  demand 
for  coal  in  this  county  would  scarcely  justify,  and  hence  it  will  prob- 
ably be  some  years  before  any  serious  effort  to  reach  the  lower  coals 
will  be  made.  In  the  counties  lying  west  of  this,  including  Bond, 
Fayette,  Montgomery  and  Shelby,  it  is  about  GOO  feet  from  the 
Sholl)yville  coal  (No.  15)  down  to  the  Danville  seam  (No.  7?),  which 
would  be  the  first  one  of  the  main  coals  that  would  be  reached  here, 
and  if  that  failed  to  be  well  developed,  about  100  feet  more 
would  have  to  l3e  penetrated  to  reach  the  next  workable  seam  below. 

The  best  building  stone  met  with  in  this  county  is  the  sandstone 
south  and  southwest  of  Jewett  Station,  and  that  quarried  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Greenup,  in  the  bluffs  of  the  Embarrass.  The  former  is  a 
hard,  gray,  micaceous  sandstone,  that  stands  exposure  well,  and 
may  be  relied  ui)on  for  bridge  abutments  and  culverts,  as  it  will 
probably  resist  successfully  the  influence  of  frost  and  moisture.  The 
other  is  rather  soft,  brow^n  sandstone  that  will  answer  well  for  dry 
walls,  but  liable  to  crumble  on  long  exposure  to  the  elements.  The 
Fusulina  limestone,  where  sufficiently  thick  bedded,  will  also  furnish 
a  fair  quality  of  stone  for  rough  walls,  and  several  quarries  have 
been  opened  in  it  in  the  northern  and  western  portions  of  the  county. 

The  limestone  just  mentioned,  which  is  the  only  rock  of  the 
kind  found  in  the  county,  is  too  impure  to  make  good  lime  ;  yet 
attempts  have  been  made  to  burn  it,  though  with  indifferent  success. 

At  some  points  it  looks  as  though  it  might  possess  hydrau- 
lic properties,  and  it  is  quite  probable  that  by  burning  and  grinding 
a  very  good  water  lime  might  be  made  from  it. 

Bands  of  kidney  ore  or  carbonate  of  iron  of  a  fair  quality  were 
found,  at  several  points  in  the  shales  over  the  Fusulina  limestone,  but 
in  too  limited  quantities  to  be  of  any  practical  value  for  smelting 
purposes. 

Clays  suitable  for  making  brick  may  be  found  almost  anywhere 
in  the  sub-soil  of  the  uplands,  and  sand  for  mortar  or  cement  occurs 
abundantly  in  the  valleys  of  the  streams. 

But  this  is  destined  always  to  be  an  agricultural  county,  and  its 
chief  resource  is  its  soil.  In  the  southern  part  this  is  rather  thin, 
with  a  sub-soil  of  light  drab  colored  clay,  but  in  the  northern  portion 
it  is  darker  colored  and  more  productive,  and  has  a  sub-soil  of  yellow 
clay.  ]Much  of  the  prairie  and  a  portion  of  the  timbered  land  is 
rather' flat,  and  requires  thorough  drainage  to  make  it  productive. 
The  bottom  lands  on  the  Embarrass  are  from  half  a  mile  to  a  mile  or 
more  in  breadth,  and  were  originally  covered  with  a  heavy  growth 


104  HISTORY    OF    CUMBEKJL.AJSD    COUNTY. 

of  timber,  but  portions  of  it  have  been  cleared  and  brought  under 
cultivation,  and  are  very  productive,  though  subject  to  occasional 
overflow.  The  varieties  of  timber  embrace  white,  red,  black,  pin 
and  water  oak,  hickory,  beech,  poplar,  black  and  white  walnut, 
maple,  elm,  linden,  cherry,  locust,  red  birch,  etc.,  etc.  Water  may 
usually  be  obtained  from  the  gravelly  drift  clays  above  the  hard  pan, 
but  at  some  localities  it  can  only  be  had  by  boring  or  digging 
through  the  hard  pan  to  the  quick  sands  below. 

SWAMP   LANDS. 

Originally,  a  large  part  of  the  territory  of  the  county  came 
under  this  classification.  By  a  general  act,  dated  September  2S, 
1850,  congress  ceded  to  the  several  States  of  the  Union  all  wet  and 
overflowed  lands  within  their  borders,  not  otherwise  disposed  of, 
for  drainage  purposes.  The  legislature  of  Illinois  accepted  and  rati- 
fied this  act  of  congress,  by  complying  with  the  special  requirements, 
and  subsequently,  in  furtherance  of  the  objects,  as  aforesaid,  granted 
to  the  counties  the  lands  lying  within  their  boundaries.  Between 
the  years  18.50  and  1856,  much  of  this  laud  was  entered  of  the  gen- 
eral government  through  the  United  States  land  oflice  at  Palestine, 
at  $1.25  per  acre,  with  "  swamp  land  scrips,"  "  land  wan-ants  "  and 
cash,  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  issuing  patents 
therefor.  Under  the  act  of  congress,  where  land  was  selected  and 
paid  for  with  "  scrip  "  or  "  warrants,"  the  State  was  entitled  to  receive 
an  equal  quantity  of  United  States  land,  subject,  however,  to  the 
approval  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior.  The  Secretary  of  the 
Interior  in  construing  this  act  of  congress  has  decided  that  the  lands 
intended  to  be  given  in  lieu  of  those  which  were  entered  with  "scrip" 
or  "  warrants  "  must  be  United  States  land  unoccupied,  and  lying 
within  the  State  claiming  the  same  and  cannot  be  located  elsewhere. 
The  United  States  lands  in  Illinois  has  long  since  been  entered,  hence 
the  county  in  its  claims  for  reimbursement  for  such  lands,  can  re- 
receive  indemnity  for  such  as  has  been  entered  since  1850,  only  in 
cash  at  $1.25  per  acre.  The  county  has  made  several  eflbrts  to  secure 
its  rights  in  this  matter,  and  has  recently  entered  into  contract  with 
an  attorney  to  collect  the  indemnity  due  from  the  general  govern- 
ment under  the  provisions  of  this  act.  Some  revenue  has  been  re- 
ceived from  these  lands,  and  claims  are  ])eing  prepared  which  will 
probably  bring  several  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  county  treasury. 

AGRICULTURE,    HORTICULTURE,    STOCK-RyMSING,    ETC 

Cumberland  County  is  strictly  an  agricultural  county.  Though 
possessed  of  good  water  power  and  timber,  and  situated  within  the 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  105 

region  of  the  coal  measures,  manufacturing  interests  have  not  yet 
assumed  any  particular  importance  here,  and  beyond  the  few  mills 
that  local  necessity  demands,manufacturing  enterprises  have  received 
little  encouragement.  The  chief  resource  of  the  county  is  its  soil. 
The  bottom  lands  of  the  principal  streams  have  a  rich  alluvial  soil, 
and  when  cleared  and  brought  under  cultivation,  produce  large  crops 
of  corn,  to  which  they  seem  best  adapted.  The  soil  of  the  prairie 
region  is  principally  a  chocolate  colored  clay  loam  similar  to  that  of 
the  adjoining  counties,  and  produces  fair  crops  of  corn,  wheat,  oats 
and  grass.  On  the  timbered  uplands  the  soil  is  somewhat  variable. 
When  the  surface  is  broken  the  soil  is  thin,  but  on  the  more  level 
portions,  where  the  growth  is  composed  in  part  of  black  walnut, 
sugar  tree,  hackberry  etc.,  the  soil  is  very  productive  and  yields 
large  crops  of  all  the  cereals  grown  in  this  latitude. 

The  prevailing  system  of  agriculture  practiced  here  may  prop- 
erly be  termed  mixed  husbandry.  Specialties  find  little  ftivor  with 
the  farmers.  The  custom  is  to  cultivate  the  various  kinds  of  o-rain 
and  grasses,  and  to  raise,  keep  and  fatten  stock.  Though  organized 
into  a  county  in  1843,  and  settled  considerably  as  early  as  1830, 
the  development  of  the  county  has  been  slow.  Until  about  1860, 
the  larger  part  of  the  county  was  not  in  the  hands  of  actual  settlers, 
and  the  farming  community  has  not  felt  able  to  indulge  in  any  scien- 
tific theories  of  cultivation.  So  far,  the  main  object  has  been  to 
gain  a  subsistence  and  make  sufiicient  returns  to  pay  for  the  land, 
and  make  some  of  the  most  urgently  demanded  improvements.  In 
many  sections  of  the  county  the  appearance  of  thrift  and  advanced 
improvement  is  marked,  and  the  farmers  may  be  said  to  have  passed 
the  experimental  point.  The  need  of  studying  the  principles  of  such 
branches  of  learning  as  relate  to  agriculture,  however,  has  not  yet 
been  felt  and  it  will  probably  be  some  years  before  the  "scientific 
former"  will  be  found  here. 

Wheat  has  been  considered  a  reasonably  sure  and  remunerative 
crop,  and  is  cultivated  to  a  large  extent.  Some  failures  in  this  crop, 
however,  have  admonished  the  farmers  that  this  is  not  to  be  depended 
upon  solely,  and  other  grains  are  dividing  the  attention  of  the  farm- 
ing community.  Oats  and  corn  are  prominent  products,  and  the  fail- 
ure of  any  one  crop  is  not  counted  a  fatal  calamity.  Corn  perhaps, 
rather  than  any  other  grain,  is  the  leading  product  of  the  county, 
and  large  amounts  of  it  are  annually  shii)ped.  A  large  part  of  the 
county  is  still  uncultivated,  and  a  considerable  area  is  practically 
waste  land.  There  is  a  great  demand  for  intelli^fent  underdraininff 
which  has  scarcely  yet  attracted  sufficient  attention.     Much  of  the 


lOlj  HISTOKY    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

land  is  low  and  wet,  and  yet  seriously  aftected  by  continued  dry 
weather.  This  subject  is  beginning  to  assume  considerable  impor- 
tance, and  with  good  tile  accessible,  a  good  deal  of  draining  will  be 

done. 

Fruit  culture  may  safely  be  said  to  be  in  its  infancy  in  Cumljer- 
land  County.  The  first  settlers  deprived  for  a  time  of  its  use,  and 
realizino-  the  great  demand  in  every  family  for  this  important  article 
of  food,  early  set  about  planting  fruit  trees.  There  was  little  oppor- 
tunity for  judicious  selection  of  varieties,  and  but  little  care  was 
bestowed  upon  orchards  when  once  well  set.  Up  to  within  the  last 
ten  years  the  cultivation  of  fruit  has  but  little  improved  over  the 
primitive  methods,  and  taking  into  consideration  the  value  of  good 
fruit  as  a  substantial  element  of  food, as  a  valuable  agent  in  preserv- 
ino-  and  promoting  health,  and  as  a  luxury  which  all  classes  may 
enjoy,  this  subject  has  not  received  the  attention  which  its  impor- 
tance merits  at  the  hands  of  the  agriculturist.  The  orchard  culture 
of  apples  has  only  of  late  years  begun  to  command  the  serious  atten- 
tion of  some  of  the  leading  farniei^.  The  product  is  barely  enough 
to  supply  home  demands,  but  each  year  now  marks  an  increase  in 
this  fruit.  The  southern  part  of  the  county  seems  to  be  more  favor- 
a])le  to  fruit-growing  than  other  sections,  and  here  more  care  is 
being  used  in  its  culture.  Peaches  rank  next  to  apples,  and  are  found 
quite  extensively  planted  in  this  favored  locality.  The  peach  is  a 
short-lived  tree  here,  however,  both  the  winters  and  hot  summers 
proving  destructive.  Care  is  used  to  replant  orchards,  and  of  late 
years  the  trees  have  been  planted  closer  together  that  the  foliage  may 
afford  protection  to  the  bark  from  the  scorching  heats  of  the  summer 
sun.  Pears  succeed  here  but  are  not  cultivated  in  orchards  yet;  the 
same  is  true  of  cherries.  Grapes  are  a  prominent  feature  of  the 
fruit  interests  of  the  county,  almost  every  farmer  having  vines 
enough  for  his  own  supply. 

Stock-raising  has  always  been  an  important  part  of  husbandry 
in  this  county,  but  of  late  years  is  attmcting  a  larger  share  of  at- 
tention. Grass  never  fails  save  in  exceptional  years,  the  moist  nat- 
ure of  the  ground  rendering  the  crop  a  sure  and  luxuriant  growth. 
Until  some  ten  or  twelve  years  ago  but  little  wheat  was  grown,  and 
now  it  recjuires  so  large  an  expenditure  of  time  and  labor,  that  it  is 
being  seriously  de})ated  whether  a  larger  proi)ortion  of  stock-raising 
would;  not  yield  greater  returns.  Cattle  and  hogs  are  already  an 
important  source  of  income  to  the  farmer,  the  latter  animal  showing 
rather  the  most  care  in  l)reeding.  A  few  Shorthorn  Durhams  and 
Jerseys  are  found  in  the  county  for  domestic  purposes  only,  but  there 


cmn^yC^ 


HISTOllY    OF    CrMBERLAXD    COUNTY.  109 

is  eonsi(loni])l(>  talk  by  several  of  stock inu"  u\)  with  reiiistered  cattle* 
for  hreediiic:  purj^oses.  In  hogs  the  lierkshire  and  Jersey  Reds  seem 
to  be  the  favorite  varieties.  Sheep,  thoui>h  not  so  generally  kept  by 
farmers,  are  still  found  in  considerable  numbers,  in  the  aggregate. 
There  are  no  large  flocks,  but  most  farmers  keep  a  few  head,  some- 
times reaching  a  hundred  or  more.  Dogs  prove  a  great  hindrance 
to  this  class  of  stock.  On  the  subject  of  horses  there  is  considerable 
interest  manifested.  Oxen  have  been  superseded  here  for  some  years, 
but  the  average  farm  horse  has  not  been  greatly  improved  over  the 
original  stock.  The  taste  of  the  farmers  inclines  to  the  "all- 
purpose"  class  of  horses,  and  the  principal  improvement  in  breeding 
is  toward  the  heavier  class  of  animals.  One  or  two  horse  fanciers 
pay  consideral)lc  attention  to  speed  horses  and  roadsters,  but  the 
farmers  are  rather  inclined  to  the  Nornuin  and  Clydesdale  horses. 
Mules  are  bred  and  used  to  some  extent,  and  the  practice  is  be- 
coming more  general.  These  animals  command  a  readier  sale,  and 
at  higher  prices  than  horses,  Avhich  qualiflcation  added  to  their  har- 
dier constitution  and  easy  cost  of  maintenance  makes  them  more 
profita])le  than  horses. 

FAIR    ASSOCIATION. 

The  first  attempt  for  a  Fair  Association  was  made  in  1858.  On 
the  second  of  January  in  that  year  the  Cumberland  County  Agricult- 
ural Society  was  formed  with,  Michael  Ruftner,  as  President;  C.  W. 
Pickering,  C.  C  Jones  and  Daniel  B.  Green,  as  Vice  Presidents; 
James  iSI.  Ward,  as  Treasurer;  A.  G.  Caldwell,  Recording  Secretary; 
and  James  L:iDow,  Corresponding  Secretary.  This  Association  held 
two  Fairs  in  the  month  of  Octo])er  1858  and  1859  at  Greenup.  The 
ground  selected  was  an  elevated  spot  in  the  north  part  of  the  village, 
which  Avas  partially  surrounded  by  a  brush  fence.  No  regular  })re- 
miums  were  ofl'ered,  but  cups  and  s])ccial  prizes  were  oflered  and 
competed  for  in  a  s])irited  manner.  The  people  took  an  active  i)art 
in  making  these  exhibitions  successful,  and  in  the  event  were  instru- 
mental in  awakening  a  widespread  interest  in  the  improvement  of 
agricultural  subjects.  In  18(j0,  the  exhibitions  were  removed  to  the 
<ounty-seat,  then  called  Prairie  City,  and  weri'  held  on  a  ten-acre 
tract  west  of  town, until  the  fall  of  18(j5.  The  association  had  ado})ted 
a  })lan  too  lil)eral  for  tjic  tiiiaucial  success  of  the  enterprise,  and 
at  that  time  the  association,  finding  itself  unsuccessful,  disl)andedand 
gave  place  to  a  new  organization.  Undei'  the  new  regime  the  site 
of  the  exhibitions  was  transferred  to  a  })lat  often  acres  north  of  the 
village.      This    organizition,   though   adopting   stricter   rules    of 

7 


no  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

membership,  proved  a  failure  so  far  as  finances  were  concerned.  Ten 
acres  were  barefained  for  and  Fairs  held  continuonsly  from  1866 
until  about  1874,  when  the  mortgage  held  on  the  land  was  foreclosed. 
Another  reorganization  followed,  and  the  land  redeemed,  but  the  as- 
sociation held  it  but  a  short  time  when  this  property  was  sold  and 
forty  acres  purchased  alK)ut  one-half  a  mile  southeast  of  the  county 
seat.  Here  Fairs  were  regularly  maintained  until  1880,  when  another 
reorsranization  was  effected.  The  Fairs  had  degenerated  somewhat 
and  were  not  financially  successful.  At  this  juncture  certain  of  the 
wealthy  stockmen  and  farmers  conceived  the  design  of  forming  a 
stock  company.  This  w^as  done  under  the  name  of  the  Cumberland 
County  District  Agricultural  Society.  The  former  association's 
grounds  w^ere  purchased  and  ten  more  acres  added  ;  large  improve- 
ments were  added,  such  as  box  stalls,  a  large  covered  amphitheater, 
new  fencing  outside  and  safety  railing  on  each  side  of  the  track,  the 
additional  land  cleaned  of  underbrush,  etc.,  etc.  The  organization 
held  its  first  exhibition  in  0:*tober,  1883,with  the  following  officers  : 
C.  G.  Jones,  President;  L.  L.  Logan,  Vice  President;  AVilliam  L. 
Bruster,  Secretary;  W.  S.  Everhart,  Treasurer;  A.  A.  Neal,  W. 
H.  Caty,  S-  M.  Pennington,  C.  Gr.  Jones,  and  Velcy  Perry,  Direc- 
tors. The  stockholders  are:  L.  N.  Brewer,  A.  R.  Huston,  W.  L. 
Bruster,  C.  G.  Jones,  W.  H.  Caty,  J.  A.  McCandlish,  R.  D.  Ash- 
will,  W.  C.  Prather,  Charles  Hanker,  L.  L.  Logan,  L.  B.  Ross, 
Guy  M.  Lemen,  Leon  Sumerlin,  Silas  White,  F.  J.  Held,  S.  C. 
Miller,  A.  A.  Neal,  S.  B.  Pennington,  F.  M.  Pennington,  Xeley 
Perry,  Wesley  Perry,  George  Stargor,  Harlow  Park,  S.  C.  Hol- 
sappie,  T.  P.  Prather,  V.  E.  Clark,  W.  S.  Everhart. 

EARLY  SETTLERS THEIR  EXPERIENCES  AND  INDUSTRIES. 

The  early  immigration  into  Illinois  was  principally  from  Ken- 
tucky, and  across  its  territory  from  the  States  farther  to  the  south 
and  east.  About  1812  the  inflow  of  population,  which  had  been 
gaining  force  and  numbers  from  the  beginning  of  the  century,  was 
rapidly  spreading  over  Southern  Illinois  along  the  main  water  courses. 
But  the  hostilities  which  broke  out  in  that  y«ir  and  continued  durinsf 
the  succeeding  three  years,  gave  a  sudden  check  to.  and  subsecjuently 
diverted  the  conrse  of,  this  tide  of  innnigration.  The  "•  Wal)asli  coun- 
try "  was  famed  far  and  near,  and  many  adventurous  pioneers  came  into 
what  is  now  C'rawford  County  as  early  as  1811,  and  even  during  the 
Indian  hostilities,  these  })ioneers  received  accessions.  After  coming 
to  this  land  tlu;  dangcu'  of  attack  seemed  so  innninent  that  a  consid- 
erable ntnnber  were  forced  to  remain  cooped  up  in  a  palisade  fort  at 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBEKLAND    COUNTY.  1  1  1 

Palostinc  until  the  ocssatioiiof  the  Indian  ti'()nI)U's  in  1814-15.      In  the 
nioantinu'thcnioiv  wostcrn  })ortions()ftlic  State  were  considered  safer, 
from  tlu^  denser  eharaeter  of  its  settlements  and  its  remoteness  from  the 
Indiana  country  where  Indian  hostilities  seemed  more  vigorously  car- 
ried on.     The  consequence  was  that  this  region  of  the  State  was  aban- 
doned by  settlers  and  suffered  a  considerable  delay  in  its  development. 
When  this  cause  Avas  no  longer  operative,  the  large  navigable  streams 
attracted  the  earlier  settlements,  and  it  was  nearly  1.S30  before  the  re- 
gion now  eml)raced  in  ( 'Umberland  County  received  its  tirst  settlement. 
It  will  be  observed,  from  a  foregoing  part  of  this  work,  that  the 
Indian  title  to  the  larger  part  of  the  State  Avas  extinguished  as  early  as 
181G.     The  savages  did  not  at  once  abandon  the  t(n'ritory  ceded,  but 
under  a  provision  of  these  treaties  lived  and  hunted  here  for  years, 
while   numerous   reservations    in  favor  of  individuals  and  families, 
made  these  relics  of  a  peculiar  race,  like  dying  embers  of  a  great  fire, 
a  familiar  sight  for  years  to  many  of  the  present  generation.     Until 
about  1825,  the  natives  were  in  full  possession  of  the  territory  of 
Cumberland  County,    though  their  num])ers  gradually  grew    less, 
until  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  1882,  took  them  all  away.     The  Kicka- 
l)()()  tribes  furnished  the  larger  pavt  of  those  who  found  a  home  in 
this  reo'ion.     These  received  annuities  at  Yincennes,  and  had  villajres 
on  the  old  Perry  place  and  further  up  the  Emljarrass  River.    This  tribe, 
in  17()o,  <)ccu[)ied  the  countr}'  southwest  of  the  southern  extremity 
of  Lake  Michigan,  but  on  the  removal  of  the  lUini  followed  south- 
ward, making  their  villages  on  the  Mackinaw  and  later  on  the  San- 
iTJunon  River.     The  settlers  of  Southern  Illinois  found  them  all  alonff 
the  Emljarrass.     They  were  more  civilized,  industrious,  energetic  and 
cleanly  than  the  neighboring  tribes,  and  it  Avas  also  true  that  they 
were  more  implacable  in  their  opposition  to  the  whites.     They  were 
prominent  among  the  tribes  that  for  a  century  carried  on  the  exter- 
minating Avar  against  the  friendly  Illinois  confederation.     They  Avere 
prominent  in  all  the  Indian  struggles  against  Generals  Harmer,  St. 
Clair  and  Wayne;   and  maintained  their  hostility  to  the  Avhites  and 
friendly  tri])es  to  the  last.     During  the  years  1810  and  1811,  in  con- 
junction  with  the  Ciii[)i)ewas,  PottaAvatomies   and    OttaAA^as,    they 
connnitted  so  many  tlu^fts  and  murders  on  the  frontier  settlements, 
that  Governor  Evhvards  Avas  compelled  to  em[)loy  force  to  suppress 
them.     When  removed  from  Illinois  they  still  retained  their  old  ani- 
mosities against  the  Americans  and  Avent  to  Texas,  then  a  province 
of  Mexico,  to  get  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States.     They 
claimel  relationship  Avith  the  PottaAvatomies,  and  perhaps  the  Sacs 
and  Foxes,  and  Shawnees. 


112  HISTOKV    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUXTi'. 


The  white  settlement  of  Cunibprlaiid  County  came  close  upon 
the  retreat  of  the  savages.  Indeed,  the  squatter  and  hunter  who 
constitute  the  advance  line  of  the  permanent  settlement  was  here 
before,  and  from  1820  to  1830  this  region  was  a  connnon  hunting 
o-round  for  both  the  white  and  red  man.  It  is  difficult  at  this  time  to 
ascertain  who  first  made  his  permanent  settlement  here.  It  is  prob- 
able, however,  that  John  Tully  was  the  original  i)ioneer  in  the  ter- 
ritory now^  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Cuml^erland  County.  He 
was  a  native  of  East  Tennessee,  and  came  early  to  Marion  County, 
111.  From  this  section  he  moved  in  1828  to  the  site  of  Johnstown, 
in  Cottonwood  Township,  for  the  purpose  of  establi>hi  ng  a  still  and 
ijrist-mill.  The  two  enterprises  were  naturally  and  frcipiently  asso- 
ciated at  that  time,  and  the  settlements  which  had  been  formed  fur- 
ther north  gave  abundant  })romise  of  a  good  patronage.  He  fii*st 
built  a  still-house  in  the  edge  of  the  timl)er,  and  in  1829  built  a 
small  lo<»-  water-mill,  and  afterw^ards  another  cabin  for  a  residence. 

Early  in  this  year, Hunt,  with  his  two  sons-in-law,  Henry  Lance 

and  Purcell,  settled  in  the  ^dcinity  of  Tully.  This  family  came  from 
Indiana,  but  w^ere  orio-inallv  from  Tennessee.  A  little  later,  in  1829, 
the  families  of  L?vi  and  David  Beals  were  added  to  the  settlement 
on  Muddy  Point,  and  in  1830,  the  family  of  Joseph  Berry,  from 
Maur}^  County,  Tenn.  In  the  fall  of  1829,  a  settlement  was  fonued 
on  the  Embirrass  near  Sconce'  Bond.  James  Gill,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tuckv,  :ind  one  of  the  occupants  of  old  Fort  La  Motte,  at  Palestine, 
in  Crawford  County,  came  here.  After  the  pacification  of  the  Indi- 
ans at  the  close  of  the  war  in  1812,  he  settled  on  the  sand  prairie, 
and  married  there.  Soon  afterward,  with  his  family  and  household 
effects,  he  came  on  horseback  to  tlie  site  of  the  old  homestead 
which  he  now^  occupies,  and  has  lived  there  ever  since.  This 
was  in  December,  1829,  and  without  other  assistance  than  his  horses 
and  w^ife,  he  erected  a  pole  cabin  in  which  he  passed  the  winter,  near 
the  Rvan  Ford.  He  subse(|nen(ly  moved  to  the  site  of  his  present 
dwelling.  In  the  same  fall,  A.  Y.  l);)bbs,  a  native  of  Alabama, 
came  to  the  vicinity  of  S  -once'  B:.Mid.  In  the  following  year  came 
to  this  settliMuent  Alexander  Baker,  three  families  of  the  Ashbys, 

all  Kentuckians  l)y  birth; Piner,  who  stayed  but  a  short  time 

before  he  h'fl  the  region,  and  Thomas  S -once,  who  came  from  Ken- 
liickviii  1830.  Th'.'re  was  at  this  time  a  strong  settlement  on  the 
uppiT  part  of  the  Embarrass,  and  nota<"il)in  along  the  route  of  the 
])rojected  National  road,  lii  \SM),  ;i  strong  settlement  was  begun 
on  Bear  Creek,  most  of  the  families  forming  it  coming  from 
Indiana,  but  originally  <(>iniiig  from  ih'  border  States  of  the  Sonth. 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  113 

Of  these  were  John  Inii^hriiiu,  ()rii>iii;illy  tVoiii  Tennessee;  John  Ful- 
fer,  from  the  same  State;  George  L-.ike  and  several  other  families, 
ori«rinallv  from  Kentucky  via  Indiana. 

In  1832,  the  work  began  on  the  Xational  road  through  this 
county,  and  attracted  settlements  along  its  line.  The  road  had  l)een 
surveyed  before  this,  but  no  work  was  performed  on  it  here  until 
al)out  this  time.  Wni.  C.  Greenu[)  had  boen  connected  with  the 
engineer  corps  th;it  laid  out  the  road,  and  subsequently,  in  company 
with  Joseph  Barbour,  took  a  contract  to  construct  the  bridge  at  or 
near  the  village  which  b?ars  his  name.  Ira  B.  Rose,  then  a  resident 
of  INIartinsvillc,  in  Clark  County,  found  employment  with  him,  and 
seeking  to  enter  into  a  speculation  at  the  same  time,  secured  forty 
acres  just  wcstof  the  present  village  and  built  his  cabin,  subsequently 
platting  a  town.  Barbour  came  from  L'juisville,  and  brought  a 
stock  of  goods,  but  never  was  considered  a  permanent  resident. 
Greenup  had  his  residence  in  Vandalia, and  the  settlement  at  "Rose- 
dale,"  while  of  some  size,  was  chiefly  made  up  of  temporary  sojourn- 
ers, workers  on  the  road.  But  among  these  were  a  few  whose  names 
are  still  familiar  sounds  in  the  county.  Of  these  were  the  families 
of  L'lthrop,  Ewart,  Hazlewood  and  Vandike.  About  1833,  George 
Henson  and  David  lIenson,with  Jack  Houtchins,  cutout/the  National 
road  through  this  county,  and  settled  at  Woodbury./  As  early  as 
1831,  Geor<*-e  Woodbury  had  l)uilt  his  cabin  here,  but  he  made  no 
im[)rovements  and  did  not  own  the  land,  though  he  gave  his  name 
to  the  village  platted  here.  Thomas  B.  Ross,  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
came  to  this  locality  also  about  1833,  but  two  years  later  moved  to 
.the  more  thriving  village  of  Greenuj),  but  soon  afterward  returned. 
Levi  Beal  came  down  from  Muddy  Point  in  this  yc^ar  and  kept  a 
tavern.  West  of  Ayoodl)ury  was  (piite  a  strong  settlement.  Chip- 
man  Webster  came  in  1832,  and  settled  on  the  National  road  about 
a  mile  and  a  quarter  Avest  of  Woodbury,  where  he  kept  tavern,  and 
about  one  and  three-quarters  miles  further  west  was  Abi'am  Marble. 
John  and  William  Owens,  natives  of  Kentucky,  were  in  this  region 
as  early  as  1830,  and  James  Mullen,  a  native  of  Ohio,  in  1832;  in 
1834,  the  tamily  of  James  Green,  a  native  of  Richmond,  Va.,  about 
a  mile  vvest  of  Woodbury.  D.  B.  Green  was  a  lad  of  some  live  years 
when  his  father  came  first  to  the  county  in  1832.  The  fan  ily  Avas 
then  in  Ohio,  and  his  father  brought  some  fine  horses  and  a  jack  from 
MaysviUe,  Ky.,  to  Charleston,  to  sell.  Young  Green  rode  the  jack 
while  his  father  rode  one  and  led  three  more.  Selling  these  ani- 
mals in  this  vicinity  of  the  State,  Mr.  Green  selected  land  iu  this 
county,  and  entered  it,  moving  his  family  two  years  later.     D.  T. 


114  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY- 

Wisnor  canio  here  in  1833 or  1834,  to  work  on  the  X:itioual  road.  He 
was  Imt  a  hoy.  and  apprenticed  to  John  Brnster,  a  tanner,  of  .Shelhy- 
viUe.  111.  The  trade  does  not  seem  to  have  pleased  ]iim,,and  he  sought 
the  ijublic  work  for  employment.  He  remained  here  and  was  for  a 
/jpnir  time  closely  identified  with  this  county.  Samuel  Kinirery  and 
son  were  early  settlers  of  Cumberland.  Thev  came  in  1834,  fix)m 
Ohio,  and  made  their  home  in  this  vicinity.  Henson  Bright  was  an 
earh'  settler  on  the  Embarrass  River,  between  the  settlement  at 
Sconce'  Bend  and  Greenup.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  one 
of  the  families  in  the  fort  at  Palestine;  he  c^ime  to  Cunil)erland 
County  aljout  1830.  Henry  Nees,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  was  another 
of  the  occupants  of  the  fort,  and  came  here  about  the  same  time, 
settling  near  the  Ford  which  still  bears  his  name.  Fewel  Hampton 
was  among  the  settlers  of  1830,  and  was  noted  as  a  great  "fiddler." 
It  is  said  that  he  would  carry  his  violin  about  with  him  as  most  of 
the  pioneers  did  their  guns,  and  it  was  no  unusual  thing  to  find  him 
playing  on  his  favorite  instrument  when  he  ought  to  have  been 
hoeing  his  corn.  Aaron  Mahaffey  was  another  eccentric  settler  of 
1830.  He  was  noted  as  a  great  hunter,  and  supported  himself  en- 
tire h^  by  his  rifle.  Among  those  who  came  in  to  reinforce  these 
various  settlements,  from  1835  to  184.5,  were  Daniel  Decius,  from 
Ohio,  in  1835  or  1836;  Dr.  Samuel  Qninn, about  1838,  from  Ohio;  Dr. 
James  Ewart,  from  the  same  State,  aljout  1838;  Silas  Huftcut,  a 
local  Methodist  preacher,  from  Xew  York,  in  1840;  Wade,  about 
1842;  Edward  Talbott,  from  Ohio,  in  1844;  James  Ward,  from  Ohio, 
about  1840;  Charles  and  James  McKnight,  about  1843;  Isaac  Sayers; 
Shiplors,  two  families;  House,  Dow,  Drummond,  Petersons,  Jacob 
Green,  Armours,  Beni  White,  Watson,  etc. 

In  1843,  when  the  county  of  Cumberland  was  formed,  there 
were  about  2,000  inhal)itants,  but  from  this  time  to  1850,  innnigra- 
tion  almost  ceased,  and  emigration  was  sutficient  to  keep  the 
growth  of  the  population  at  about  a  standstill.  In  1845,  the  cholera 
proved  fatal  to  many  here,  and  m  1848  and  184i>,  a  considerable  num- 
ber joined  the  current  setting  toward  California.  Al)out  1<S5(), 
however,  the  land  warrants  issued  to  the  soldiers  of  the  ^Mexican 
war  began  to  l)rin<i:  about  a  chan<re.  These  warrants  got  into  the 
hands  of  persons  about  to  seek  new  homes,  and  from  1850  to  1853 
almost  every  acre  of  public  land  was  entered,  and  largely  by  actual 
settlers.  The  early  settlements  were  all  made  in  some  point  of  tim- 
ber, at  Muddy  Point,  Sconce'  Bend,  Nees'  Ford,  Greenup,  Woodbury 
and  Bear  ('reek,  thus  encircling  the  central  part  of  the  county,  which 
tor  yeais  \vms  almost  a   marsh,  water  standing  all   over  the  prairie 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  115 

portion  up  to  a  horse's  belly  until  August.  Daniel  Kinirery  lost 
faith  in  tlie  country  and  returned  East,  but  after  a  year  or  two  came 
back  to  this  county.  In  his  ])u])lis]ied  reminiscences  he  says  Greenup 
was  a  hamlet  tiien  of  a  half  dozen  cabins;  from  that  point  to 
Towertown  there  was  but  one  house,  and  from  thence  to  AVisner's 
the  families  of  Wel)ster,  Siracool,  and  John  Gardner  were  the  only 
residents.  Between  where  he  now  lives  and  Dulchtown,  or  Teutop- 
olis,  there  was  l)ut  one  cabin,  and  the  latter  village  consisted  only 
of  a  double  log  house,  which  was  used  as  store  and  dwelling  by  Jno. 
Trackfort.  From  the  residence  of  Wisner  to  Newton,  in  Jasper 
County,  there  was  but  one  caliin,  and  that  was  occupied  by  Albert— 
Caldwell.  A  traveler  from  Ohio,  on  his  way  to  the  West  to  pur- 
chase land,  came  along  the  National  road  and  leaves  an  account  of 
his  impressions  of  the  lower  part  of  the  county,  written  in  a  diary. 
On  the  16th  of  November,  1838,  he  reached  Mirshall,  in  Clark 
County,  "and  from  tlience  rode  thirty  miles  into  the  prairie  to 
Greenup,  making  thirty-three  miles  of  poor  country  and  thinly  set- 
tled. Oil  Saturday,  left  Greenup  ;  the  weather  cold  and  prairie  large.  J 
Noticed  several  large  hewed  log  houses;  look  like  our  double  barns. 
They  were  mostly  deserted  and  vacant,  the  people  appearing  to  be 
all  in  the  streets  standing  about  a  fire  thit  had  been  kindled  in  the 
streets.  They  seemed  in  fine  spirits,  or  fine  spirits  in  them;  the  lat- 
ter is  supposed  to  be  the  case."  The  other  villages  do  not  seem  to 
have  attracted  his  attention. 

The  earlier  sites  chosen  for  the  frontier  cabin  were  along  the 
hiirh  points  of  timber  that  skirted  the  streams.  The  prairie  at  that 
time  was  covered  with  joint  grass,  which  at  times  reached  the  enor- 
mous height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet.  There  was  little  natural  drain- 
age, and  the  rain  fall  lay  upon  the  ground,  after  saturating  the  soil, 
until  the  whole  prairie  area  was  one  great  swale.  A'-customsd  to  a 
timbered  auvl  rolling  couiitr}^,  th?  first  settlers  could  not  believe 
that  the  open  land  could  ever  be  tilled;  and  it  was  practically^  im- 
possible for  the  pioneers,  few  in  number  and  limited  in  resources,  to 
cultivate  it.  The  site  chosen  for  a  farm,  therefore,  was  in  the  tim- 
ber. The  cabin  was  a  simple  log  pen  with  a  door,  a  window,  and  a 
puncheon  floor.  At  first  glass  was  not  to  be  had,  and  greased  paper, 
which  was  proof  against  the  rain,  and  at  the  same  time  admitted  a 
faint  light,  was  used  as  a  substitute.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for 
cabins  to  be  erected  without  a  nail,  wooden  pegs  supplying  their 
place,  and  most  of  these  first  structures  were  erected  with  but  a 
limited  supply.  Th  >  work  on  the  farm  was  carried  on  by  the  men 
and  boys  under  similar  disadvantages.     A  space  cleared  of  its  timber 


116  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

was  ploLiirlu'd  with  the  rude  implement  of  the  time  and  planted  to 
corn.  What  the  crows,  black-birds  and  squirrels  left  was  ample  for 
the  needs  of  the  family.  There  was  no  accessiljle  market  for  the 
produce,  and  few  farmers  but  had  plenty  of  "  hog  and  hominy.'* 
There  were  very  few  large  farms.  The  range  of  wild  grass,  the 
moss  and  roots  Avere  so  abundant  in  the  woods  that  hogs,  cattle  and 
horses  required  but  little  other  food,  and  that  was  in  general  corn 
alone.  It  is  })rol)ablc  that  a  single  corn-field  of  five  acres  consti- 
tuted the  majority  of  the  early  farms.  Wheat  was  not  sown  for 
some  years,  as  there  were  no  mills  to  grind  it  if  a  crop  had  been 
secured.  Mills  Avere  a  prime  necessity  of  the  early  days,  but  even 
when  secured,  the  demands  of  the  farm  or  the  difficulties  of  early 
traveling  prevented  the  settler  from  "  going  to  mill."  Resort  was 
then  had,  so  long  as  the  corn  was  soft,  to  the  "  grater"  made  of  per- 
forated tin,  or  sheet  iron.  Upon  the  rough  side  of  this  crude  instru- 
ment the  corn  was  reduced  to  a  condition  which  made  it  adapted  to 
the  use  of  the  pioneer  housewife.  Later,  when  the  corn  became 
hard,  it  had  to  be  reduced  in  a  mortar  or  liandmill.  Almost  every 
family  had  its  "  hominy  block."  Tiiis  was  formed  from  a  large  block 
or  stunq).  A  large  hole,  "  kettle  sha})ed,"  was  made  in  it  by  burning 
and  scraping.  Over  this,  suspended  to  a  huge  "  sweep,"  often  l)y  a 
wild  grape  \ine,  was  a  heavy  stick  of  wood,  the  lower  end  of  which 
was  provided  with  an  iron  wedge.  The  "sweep"  was  converted 
into  a  s})ring-pole  by  fastening  the  lower  end  by  stakes  driven  into 
the  ground.  By  such  machinery  hundreds  of  bushels  of  corn  were 
reduced  to  hominy  and  a  coarse  meal,  whicli  furnished  the  corn-pone. 
An  improvement  upT)n  this  was  the  liandmill,  which  some  of  the 
well-to-do  farmers  sometimes  possessed.  This  consisted  of  one  stone 
running  ui)on  another  in  a  frame,  the  upper  one  Ix'ing  provided  with 
an  "  eye"  and  a  handle,  and  with  this  the  boys  were  accustomed  to 
grind  the  family's  supply  of  meal. 

It  was  not  long  before  power-mills  were  built.  The  streams 
afl'orded  good  sites  and  power  for  water-mills,  for  a  part  of  the  year, 
but  tiie  lack  of  good  mechanics  often  forced  the  jiioneers  to  depend 
upon  the  horse-mill.  This  consisted  of  a  small  run  of  stone,  manu- 
factured by  the  miller  out  of  "  nigger-heads."  The  power  was  con- 
veyed to  this  by  a  large  cog-wheel  of  ten  or  fifteen  feet  diameter, 
placed  upon  a  perpendicular  axle,  Avhich  was  caused  to  revolve  by 
levers  placed  in  it  at  liglit  angles  near  the  ground,  to  which  horses 
were  attiiched.  The  (>arliest  mills  in  the  county  were  erected  at 
Johnstown.  Here  in  l.S2!l,rJohnTullv  iiad  a  little  water-mill,  but  as 
the  ri\ cr  did  not  always  all'ord  power  to  run  it,  he  er(M'ted  a  horse-mill. 


HISTOKY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  117 

and  in  low  stages  of  water  he  was  accustomed  to  transfer  the 
home-made  buhrs  from  the  mill  to  the  horse-i)ower.  Another  horse- 
mill  was  early  built  at  Woodbury,  bv  L;'vi  Beals,  and  in  1832  a  <)food 
mill  was  established  at  Greenup.  These  mills  drew  patronafje  from 
miles  around,  and  were  iifenerally  run  to  their  fullest  capacity.  The 
abundance  of  corn,  and  the  small  demand  for  it  gave  rise  to  another 
industry,  which  was  of  doubtful  advantage  to  the  connnunity.  Dis- 
tilleries were  generally  built  as  a  part  of  the  miller's  establishment^ 
or  near  at  hand.  Holly  had  one  which  was  patronized  fully  as  much 
as  the  mill,  and  was  probably  more  influential  in  making  the  place 
one  of  importance.  H.  B.  Russell  operated  the  still  in  later  years, 
using  a  steam  still.  The  product  was  sold  to  farmers  in  exchange 
for  corn,  and  to  the  stores  and  groceries  in  the  neighborhood  where 
it  was  often  the  i)rincipal  commodity  for  sale.  Whisky  was  a  reg- 
ular beverage,  and  very  few  of  the  pioneers  were  without  it.  At 
the  "  still"  whisky  was  kept  in  a  large  vessel,  and  a  cup  near  by, 
and  every  one  was  Avelcome  to  so  much  as  he  cared  to  drink.  After 
tansy  came  up  in  the  spring,  this  was  added,  and  "  tansy  bitters  " 
was  then  kept  for  the  public  entertainment. 

Some  reminiscences,  by  Daniel  Kingery,  and  published  in  a  re- 
cent issue  of  the  Democrat,  give  an  interestinof  account  of  the  re- 
sources  of  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county  at  an  early  date: 

"  His  place  of  marketing  and  trading  was  at  Woodbury  and 
Dutchtown,  generally  at  Woodbury.  Wisner  kept  a  stock  of  goods 
such  as  was  needed  by  the  i)eople  at  that  time,  and  in  addition  to 
this  he  kei)t  a  supply  of  "tire  water,"  and  it  was  here  they  used  to 
congregate  and  indulge  their  appetites  and  practice  their  pugilistic 
skill.  At  those  times  as  well  as  now  there  were  some  who  "  went 
considerable,"  and  even  prided  themselves  upon  their  muscular  pow- 
ers. He  says  he  has  seen  as  much  as  ten  gallons  of  whisky  drank 
here  in  one  day.  Of  course  that  much  whisk}''  in  men  would  natur- 
ally produce  considerable  tight.  For  milling  he  depended  on  the 
horse-mill  at  Towertown,  ()wn(;d  and  operated  by  a  Mr.  Beals. 
For  meat  he  depended  to  a  great  extent  upon  the  woods.  There 
was  plenty  of  deer  here  then.  But  Uncle  Daniel  says  he  had  never 
been  trained  to  the  chase  and  was  not  much  of  a  Ximrod.  But  he 
had  brought  with  him  an  excellent  gun  Avith  the  intention,of  course, 
of  shooting  deer,  for  amusement,  if  nothing  else.  He  relates  his  first 
experience  in  deer  hunting  which  was  taken  with  his  brother  Ste- 
phen, who  was  an  experienced  hunter.  Early  in  tlu^  morning  they 
were  in  the  woods.  Just  north  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  '  Good ' 
tarm  they  separated,  and  in  a  short  time  up  jumi)ed  a  deer  and  he 


118  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

thoufrlit  he  had  a  dead  shot  sure,  and  tired,  and  away  went  the  deer. 
His  shot  brouirlit  his  lirother  to  him.  After  carefully  examining 
the  ground  they  found  some  blood  which  was  evidence  he  had  hit 
the  deer— so  they  took  the  track  expecting  every  moment  to  come 
upon  the  dead  deer.  Around  and  around  they  followed  the  deer 
track  (there  was  snow  on  the  ground),  supposing  the  deer  was  'gut' 
shot.  This  they  kept  up  until  evening  when  the  deer  passed  upon 
the  prairie  close  home.  He  then  called  his  dog  which  run  it  up  near 
to  Gardner's,  who  put  on  a  fresh  dog  and  caught  it.  After  putting 
in  a  whole  day  of  continued  travel,  he  came  up  to  find  another  reap- 
ing the  reward  of  his  hard  day's  chase.  It  Avas  found  that  instead 
of  a  gut  w^ound  he  had  only  cut  the  deer  a  little  on  the  inner  side 
of  one  hind  leg.  His  next  and  last  experience  in  deer  hunting  he 
took  sometime  after  this.  The  next  time  he  concluded  he  w^ould 
ride.  Starting  out  one  morning  he  had  gone  but  a  short  distance 
when  a  large  buck  presented  a  Ijroadside  view;  this  time  certain  of 
his  game  he  up  and  fired  and  away  went  the  buck.  He  rode  back 
home,  laid  his  gun  up,  and  he  says  that  settled  his  deer  hunting. " 

Game  of  all  kinds  was  abundant,  and  most  of  the  men  were  good 
marksmen.  Fur-bearing  animals  were  the  most  remunerative,  as 
their  skins  found  a  ready  sale  at  their  cabin  doors.  A  branch  of  the 
American  Fur  Company  was  esta1)lished  at  St.  Louis,  and  its  agents 
tound  their  way  throughout  this  country.  One  gentleman  rehites 
that  he  caught  184  coons  one  season,  and  disposed  of  tliem  all  at  a 
good  price,  some  of  them  as  high  as  seventy-five  cents.  Wolves 
were  found  here  in  great  numbers,  and  were  hunted  as  a  means  of 
protection  from  their  depredations.  Three  kinds  infested  the  coun- 
try, the  timl:>er  wolf,  a  large,  fierce  animal ;  the  gray  wolf,  a  large  but 
not  so  poAvcrful  as  the  former,  and  the  coyote,  or  prairie  wolf. 
None  of  these  animals  were  ])()ld  enough  to  attack  persons,  but 
small  pigs,  calves  and  sheep  fell  an  easy  prey  to  them.  Their  howl- 
ing at  night  was  calcidated  to  unnerve  those  who  were  fresh  in  the 
country,  or  to  those  who  knew  soin(>thing  of  the  fiercer  timber  wolf 
of  Kentucky  and  Ohio.  A  bounty  subsequently  ottered  by  the 
State  and  county  stimulated  the  hunters,  and  these  animals  were 
earlv  driNcn  from  this  reijion. 

The  work  of  the  women  was  of  that  arduous  kind  found  every- 
where on  the  frontier  or  in  a  new  settlement.  The  hatchel  and 
V)rake,  the  si)inning  wheel  and  loom  were  in  almost  every  cabin.  A 
few  sheej)  were  maintained  in  spite  of  the  depredations  of  wolves 
and  dogs,  and  the  wool  once  shorn  from  the  animal  was  turned  over 
to  the  housewife  to  be  converted  into  clothinir,  for  men  and  women. 


IIIiSTOKV    OF    CLMliEKLAND    COUNTY.  119 

Hoiisekoopino'  was  crowdotl  into  the  .smallest  possible  space,  to  give 
room  to  the  more  exacting  tlnties  ot"  [)rci)aring  cloth  and  clothing. 
The  principal  amusements  ot"  the  women  were  the  outgrowth  of 
these  latter  duties.  Wool  picking,  spinning  parties  and  quiltings 
were  the  harmless  dissipations  of  the  women,  and  besides  these  there 
were  the  husking  bees,  loggings  and  an  occasional  camj)  meeting  for 
diversion. 

The  dress  of  the  people  of  Cumberland  was  of  the  most  prim- 
itive kind.  Coon-skins  furnished  caps  for  the  men,  while  buckskin 
furnished  durable  if  not  so  pleasant  i)ants  for  the  men.  This,  with 
the  linsey-woolsey  blouse  com])leted  the  usual  attire  of  the  men. 
Linsey-woolsey  was  the  material  with  which  the  women  clothed 
themselves,  and  Avas  their  only  wear,  save,  perhaps,  a  calico  dress 
for  special  occasions.  But  this  was  not  considered  a  great  privation, 
where  all  fared  alike,  and  with  wholesome  food  the  work  of  pioneer 
times  could  be  and  was  accomplished  with  less  repining  than  are  the 
duties  of  more  favored  times.  A  very  sore  trial,  and  one  keenly 
felt,  was  the  rei>ular  attack  of  the  ai>-ue  or  miasmatic  fevers  which 
haunted  this  country  until  recent  3'ears.  This  infliction  visited  the 
whole  country  impartially,  and  some  entire  communities  were  pros- 
trated at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Vandike  relates  that  at  Greenup  he 
was  the  only  well  person  in  the  village,  and  as  he  then  had  no 
tamily  of  his  own  to  care  for,  he  was  pressed  into  the  service  of  the 
beleaouered  town,  and  found  it  difficult  to  answer  the  demands  made 
upon  him  for  assistance.  Physicians  w^ere  few,  and  located  at  distant 
points,  but  if  this  had  not  been  the  case,  the  settlers  did  not  have 
the  means  to  employ  them  for  every  recurrence  of  this  familiar 
malady.  Each  family  had  a  store  of  receipts  and  a  stock  of  herbs, 
and  these  were  made  into  decoctions  which  generally  weakened  the 
force  of  the  recurrini>:  "  shakes." 

Of  the  social  status,  an  exhaustive  series  of  articles,  contributed 
by  an  "  Old  Settler"  to  one  of  the  papers  of  the  county,  may  com- 
plete this  branch  of  the  subject.     lie  writes  as  follows: 

"  It  is  a  notable  fact  that  in  the  early  settlement  of  Cumberland 
County,  her  i)ioneer  settlers,  generally  speaking,  were  rude  and 
eccentric  in  manners,  and  their  education  in  the  important  art  of 
reading  and  writing  sadly  neglected.  The  educational  status  of  the 
people  in  those  palm}^  days  of  perilous  adventures,  was  the  result  of 
unavoidable  and  adverse  circumstances,  over  Avhich  the  most  ambi- 
tious as))irant  for  scholastic  honors  had  no  control,  however  ardent 
the  disposition  in  that  direction.  This  want  of  '  book  larnin',' as 
the  natives  were  })leased  to  term  it,  was  not  exclusively  confined  to 


120  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTi'. 

the  borders  of  Cuniberlaiid  County,  but  tlie  uneiiviuljle  legacy  had 
beeu  distributed  with  a  lavish  and  prodigal  hand  throughout  the 
wide  expanse  of  tiie  whole  State.  In  reverting  to  this  marked  feat- 
ure of  the  '  old  settlers '  there  is  nothing  censurable  to  that  noble 
class,  as  a  difl'erent  conclusion  could  not  have  been  reasonably  ex- 
pected with  a  fair  and  just  knowledge  of  their  progenitors.  They 
were  the  sons  and  daughters  of  those  illustrious  characters,  who, 
while  yet  basking  in  the  sunlight  of  joyous  manhood  and  woman- 
hood beyond  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  AUeghanies,  had  listened  with 
wonder  and  astonishment  to  the  marvelous  stories  of  the  pilgrim 
travelers,  who  pictured  in  'rhapsody  of  words'  the  rich  and  the 
beautiful  domain  that  stretched  out  in  its  native  and  original  grand- 
eur toward  the  setting  sun.  They  were  the  descendants  of  those 
who,  casting  aside  the  endearments  of  their  native  heath,  first  erected 
the  home  of  civilization  upon  the  productive  soil  of  Ohio  and  Ken- 
tucky. Here  they  were  compelled  to  assist  their  parents  in  the  toil- 
some task  of  clearing  their  newly-made  settlement.  Schools  and 
institutions  of  learning  which  now  dot  the  area  of  those  once  west- 
ern wilds,  were  then  slumberino-  in  embrvo.  Without  the  advan- 
tages  and  facilities  of  acquiring  an  ordinary  education,  and  w^ith 
energies,  incessantly  engaged  in  the  important  oT)ject  of  averting 
dangers  that  environed  them,  and  procuring  raiment  and  subsistence 
for  their  families,  it  could  not  be  supposed  that  they  could  progress 
very  rapidly  in  educational  matters.  Under  such  disadvantages  they 
arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity,  and  having  inherited  the  adven- 
urous  spirits  of  their  progenitors  began  to  glance  significantly 
towards  the  vast  prairies  of  the  West.  Collecting  the  scanty  and 
available  means  at  their  disposal  they  journeyed  hither,  where  they 
settled  down  and  invested  in  Uncle  Sam's  '  celebrated  s'il.'  With 
the  advantage  of  long  experience,  and  the  additional  advantage  of 
natural  cleared  fanns,  they  soon  began  to  prosi)er  and  rapidly  accu- 
mulated in  worldly  possessions. 

"  In  the  midst  of  their  thriftiness  and  })rosperity  they  began  to 
realize  the  importance  of  cultivating  and  develo})ing  the  uni)olislied 
minds  of  their  children,  and  placing  them  under  the  tutelage  of 
some  learned  prodigy,  that  had  performed  the  remarkable  feat  of 
'  going  through'  Wel)ster's  Elementary  Spelling  Book,  and  accom- 
plished the  llicii  looked  upon  '  double-sunnnersault-act'  of  advanc- 
ing mathematically  as  far  as  'vulgar  fracti(mal  figures.'  By 
consultation  and  discussion  among  each  other,  an  interest  was 
awakiMH'd  in  cadi  iiciyfhborhood,  and  soon  schoolhouses,  though 
ludc     and     unprepossessing    in     api)carance,     began     to    loom     up 


HISTOKV    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  121 

nil  over  tlu>  countrv.  The  schoolinastcr  with  liis  din^ul  rod 
and  terrible  facial  eoiitour  was  not  \on<r  in  fortheomiiii:-.  He  soon 
introduced  himself  in  the  various  communities  ov  neiiihhorhoods to 
the  deliirht  of  parents  and  dismay  of  unruly  urchins.  He  was 
viewed  as  a  natural  prodii^y  and  sat  n[)on  his  throne  like  a  petty 
monarch  of  a  limited  princii)ality.  He  was  consulted  upon  matters 
that  happened  to  arise  either  pul)lic  or  private,  and  his  decision  was 
then  repirded  witli  the  same  deference  as  those  of  the  Supreme 
Court  arc  now. 

"^Morally  si)caUinirj  we  would  not  oiler  the  'old  settler' 
as  an  example  and  model,  worthy  of  imitation  if  we  cher- 
ished the  least  inclination  to  advance  and  improve  the  moral 
standard  of  the  youth  of  the  country.  They  were  extremely  per- 
tinacious in  manifesting  marked  disrespect  for  the  author  of  the  first 
commandment,  and  persistently  adhered  to  the  execrable  tashion  in 
those  days  of  introducing  '  d — n  '  in  peaceful  conversation.  This  des- 
picable custom  and  hal)it  arose  not  from  any  intended  sacrilege,  but 
was  the  result  of  want  of  acquaintance  with  the  English  descriptive 
adjectives.  If  profanity  Avas  a  marked  feature  in  the  social  and  friendh' 
tete-a-fete  of  the  'original  inhabitants,' how  uninviting  to  the  sensi- 
tive and  fastidious  ear  of  morality  must  have  been  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity Af  warm  and  angry  political  discussions,  over  which  the  conscience 
exercises  no  restraint.  Very  freciuenth'  have  we  witnessed  a  meet- 
inff  of  two  friends  in  days  gone  bv,  and  listened  to  their  exchange 
of  words,  and  noted  the  observation  'that  d — dest,'  sometimes 
accompanied  with  its  superlative  addition,  was  a  substitute  for  all 
and  every  adjective  knowni  to  the  English  idiom.  '  He  can  beat  any 
man  swearing  I  ever  heard,'  Avas  the  expression  nsed  in  giving  a 
graphic  description  of  some  celebrity  of  more  than  ordinary  capacity 
and  prominence.  He  was  always  adjudged  by  the  hearer  to  be  a 
'  devil  of  a  fellow.' 

"  Horse-raciuii",  sh(>oting-mut(dics  and  amusements  of  similar 
(  haracter  Avere  indulged  in  to  a  considerable  extent.  These  horse- 
races, in  which  the  most  speedy  material  Avas  brought  into  requi- 
sition, approximated  to  Avhat  avc  noAvwi-days  term  a  contest  between 
'  scrul)s.'  These  races  Avere  usually  largely  attended  and  seldom 
failed  to  ccmvoke  all  lh(>  -old  settlers.'  Those  Averc  the  periodical 
fetes  and  gala  days  that  amused  the  'old  settlers  '  and  gave  unlim- 
ited license  and  excuse  for  them  to  run  riot  and  confusion.  The 
termination  or  close  of  these  entertainments,  generally  concluded 
Avith  a  series  of  engagements  for  pugilistic  honors,  in  Avliich  the 
contestants  figured  and  Averc  ilisfiiiured.     Morally  sjieaking,  the  'old 


122  HISTORY    OF    CUMBEKLAND   COUXTi'. 

settlers '  had  ;i  failing-  that  has  been  handed  down  unimpaired  to 
the  present  ireneration.  Ho  eouhln't  tbrea-o  the  ecstatic  pleasure  to 
be  derived  from  a  stitt'  ghiss  of  old  Iwurbon.  It  was  his  tii-st  love, 
and  how  consolinjr  it  must  b3  to  look  l);ick  through  a  dark  vista  of 
veal's  with  the  proud  consciousness  that  he  never  '  went  l)ack  '  on  his 
fii"st  love.  Almost  every  individual  had  an  acquired  fondness  for 
whisky?  and  was  inconsolal:)le  when  some  unforeseen  accident  sep- 
arated him  from  his  liquid  idol,  and  he  was  prevented  from  his  regu- 
lar devotions  at  the  shrine  of  Bacchus. 

"  The  most  connnendable  feature  that  clustei*s  around  the  mem- 
ories of  early  days  was  the  manifest  social)ility  of  the  people.  Al- 
thouirh  they  possessed  some  inherent  attril)utes  that  were  obnoxious 
to  refined  ideas  and  culture,  yet  in  their  social  intercourse  with  each 
other  they  displayed  those  exemi>lary  traits  of  character  Avhicli  can 
only  emanate  from  a  Avarm  and  generous  heart.  If  they  deviated 
from  the  strict  rules  ot  morality  and  indulged  themselves  in 
habits  and  excesses  that  have  been  discarded  by  progressive  civiliza- 
tion as  enervating  and  ruinoiLs,  they  still  retained  those  estimable 
virtues  which  are  inseparably  allied  with  a  generous  and  hospitable 
people.  Unpretentious  and  unostentatious,  they  tendered  whatexer 
hospitality  their  houses  afforded,  and  were  assiduous  in  their  effort*; 
to  provide  for  the  comfort  of  those  Avho,  by  chance,  were  cast  within 
the  purview  of  their  domestic  circles.  There  was  not  any  affec- 
tation in  their  liberal  entertainment  of  their  visitors  and  guests,  and 
selfishness  and  motives  of  interest  cannot  l)o  rightfully  adjudged  as 
the  prompting  and  incentive  by  which  they  Averc  influonced  in  the  be- 
stowal of  their  l>enignity  upon  the  hungry  and  shelterless.  History 
may  ascribe  to  the  '  old  settlers  '  of  days  gone  by,  ignorance,  inuno- 
rality,  eccentricity  and  rudeness  of  manners,  but  it  never  can,  without 
a  manifest  spirit  of  injustice,  but  speak  in  i)raise  and  commendation  of 
their  excellence  as  a  hospitable  [)eo})le.  No  footsore  traveler,  seek- 
ing rest  and  shelter  from  his  wearisome  j)l()ddings,  was  ever  refused 
admittance  to  their  homes.  They  manifested  no  distinction  or  })ar- 
tiality  in  opening  their  doors  to  the  weary  and  hungiy.  The  iienniless 
wanderer,  covered  with  the  dust  of  his  journey  and  clothed  in  the  gar- 
ments of  destitution  and  jioverty,  was  as  kindly  welcomed  to  their 
thresholds,  as  the;  arrogant  nal)ol),  drawn  by  his  richly  caparisoned 
steeds,  and  integumentcd  in  the  gaudy  trappings  of  Avealth.  It  was 
sufficient  for  them  to  know  that  their  hospitality  was  solicited,  and  the 
'sissing  hog'  and  •  steaming  hominy'  bespoke  the  stranger's  welcome- 

"  In  the  way  of  rei)ast,  for  the  entertainment  of  their  guest,  the 
'  old  settlers '  supplied   their  festal    board    with    porkling,   hominy^ 


HISTORY    OF    CUMIJKKLAM)    COUNTY.  123 

'  sas.sa  track  tjiy,'  and  'gobs'  of  lioc-oako,  which  in  the  absence  of 
modern  luxuries  were  disposed  of  with  remarkable  relish.  The 
adornments  and  convenience  of  the  table  were  notable  only  by  their 
absence.  Ordinary  table  furniture  was  had  only  in  a  limited  supply, 
but  the  fare  wavS  none  the  less  enjoyed,  nor   the  welcome  less  real." 

POLITICAL    ORGANIZATION. 

Cumberland  County  had  its  origin  in  the  enterprise  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  Greenup,  rather  than  in  the  necessities  of  the  situation, 
or  in  the  general  voice  of  the  people.  The  National  road,  then  the 
great  thoroughfare  of  the  West,  seemed  to  open  up  to  the  ambitious 
village  unlimited  iiossibilities  of  growth.  It  was  a  thrivinsr  village 
in  1840,  with  mills  patronized  from  far  and  ne;ir,  and  business  attrac- 
tions superior  to  any  place  within  thirty  miles  about  it.  It  was 
natural  that  the  leading  si)irits  of  such  a  place  should  aspire  to  the 
additional  prestige  which  the  location  of  a  county-seat  located  here 
would  give  it.  E.  H.  StarkAveather  was  then  in  the  legislature,  and  was 
allied  with  the  interests  of  this  section  of  the  original  Coles  County. 
It  was  easy  therefore  to  enlist  him  in  the  project  of  the  formation  of 
a  new  county,  and  the  preceding  act  was  the  result.  To  the  most  of 
the  people  the  act  came  unsought,  and  it  may  be  doubted  whether,  if 
submitted  to  a  general  vote  in  the  light  of  the  next  year's  expe- 
rience, the  county  would  have  been  so  early  formed.  However,  there 
was  no  hesitancy  on  the  part  of  the  people  in  carr}dng  out  the  act  of 
formation.  The  preliminary  election  was  held,  and  on  the  8th  of 
May,  1843,  the  Commissioners  met  at  Grreenup  to  complete  the  organ- 
ization and  put  the  new  machinery  of  government  in  motion.  It 
may  be  interesting  to  note  the  record  of  these  early  proceedings, 
and  the  first  year's  proceedings  are  here  substantially  copied:  "  Com- 
missioners' Court,  Special  Term,  May  8,  1843. — At  the  organization 
of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  Cuml)erland  County  and 
State  of  Illinois,  begun  and  licld  in  Greenup,  in  said  county,  com- 
mencing on  Monday,  the  8th  day  of  May,  1843;  whereupon  James  Gill, 
Charles  G.  Chowning  and  David  T.  Wisner,  Escpiires,  ajjpejired,  pre- 
sented their  certificates  of  election,  and  were  severally  sworn  into 
ortice  as  the  law  directs;  and  also  J.  F.  Ilollcy,  Clerk  of  said 
Court,  came  and  i)rescnted  his  certificate  of  election,  and  also  his 
otKcial  bond,  which  said  bond  is  approved  by  the  court,  and  ordered 
to  1)3  spread  upon  the  records  of  the  court,  which  said  bond  is  in  the 
following  words  and  figures,  to-wit,  etc. 

"The  said  J.  F.  Ilolley  also  took  and  subscribed  to  the  following 
oath,  to  wit  :  etc. 


124  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

"Onlorod, — That  tho  county  be  laid  off  i  ito  road  districts,  with 
tho  folloAviiiir  motes  and  bounds,  to  wit:  [The  description  would 
prove  too  tedious  and  is  omitted,  but  the  Supervisors  appointed  are 
as  follows:  No.  1,  Thoda  GaiTott;  No.  '1,  M.  B.  Ross;  No.  3,  J.  N. 
Hays;  No.  4,  AVm.  Jones;  No.  ;'),  Wm.  House;  No.  G,  Enos  Stewart; 
No.  7,  Andrew  S.  Freeman;  No.  <s,  S:ini"l  jSIontoomery;  No.  9,  Thos. 
C.  Tutewiler;  No.  10,  Milton  Crainer;  No.  11,  Jno.  Carpenter,  No.  12, 
Abert  B.  Stull.] 

"  Ordered. — That  the  Supervisor  in  each  district  call  upon  each 
able-bodied  male  person  between  the  ages  of  twenty-one  and  fifty 
ye;\rs,  to  perfonn  three  days'  labor  on  all  roads  in  their  respective 
districts. 

"  Ordered, — That  the  county  be  laid  off  into  election  and  justice's 
precincts,  Avith  the  following  metes  and  bounds,  to-wit:  [These  are 
omitted  in  this  place.] 

"May  9,  1848, — On  petition  of  a  number  of  citizens,  Natlian  S- 
Aleshire  and  Thomas  Brewer  were  appointed  Constables.  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  were  appointed  for  the  different  precincts  as  fol- 
lows: AVood])ury,  Levi  Beals;  Clear  Creek,  H.  Williams;  Cottonwood, 
Hyde  Pen-in;  Greenup,  A.  S-  Freeman;  Hurricane,  Ambrose  Carner; 
Long  Point,  Tlios.  C.  Tutewiler.  Lewis  H.  Goodwin  was  appointed 
Assessor  for  the  county,  and  Thos.  Sconce,  Collector,  with  a  fee  of  4 
per  cent,  for  his  services." 

"  Trustees  of  School  Lands  were  appointed  as  follows:  For 
ToAvnship  9  north.  Range  8  east,  Levi  Beals,  Jno.  Gardner  and  Ellis 
McKay;  Township  9  north,  Range  7  east,  Jno.  W.  Jones,  Stephen 
Kingery  and  Thoda  Garrett;  ToAvnship  10  north,  R;inge  10  east, 
Albert  Cutright,  Hugh  Reed  and  William  Davis.  Court  adjourned 
sine  die. 

"June  .^,  1843, — A  petition  was  presented  praying  the  court  to 
irnmt  the  viewins:  aiul  locatinsf  of  a  road  from  tlie  National  road,  al 
the  half-mile  stake,  of  Sections  34  and  27,  Township  10  north.  Range 
10  east,  thence  north  on  the  half-section-line,  one  mile;  thence  west 
one-half  mile  to  the  line  dividing  Sections  21  and  ^I'l,  Township  and 
Range  aforesaid;  theiu'c  north  until  it  intersects  the  road  running 
east  and  west,  north  of  Cntright's. 

"  Ordereil, — That  the  Treasurer  jiay  Wm.  Price  the  sum  of  $40, 
with  interest  from  dale,  l)earing  at  the  rate  of  12  per  cent,  per  an- 
num, for  money  loaned  to  })nrchase  books  and  stationery  for  the 
dilferent  county  otlicei*s  of  Cnmberland  County,  out  of  the  first 
money  that  comes  into  his  hands. 

"Ordered, — That  a  tax  be  levied  at  the  rate  of  15  per  centum. 


t^y^K^ 


HISTOia     OF    CrMBEKLAM)    COUNTY.  127 

to  every  lUO  dollars,  for  the  year  of  our  Lord  l^i43,  for  a  revenue 
for  county  purposes.  [Then  follows  the  names  of  Grand  and  Petit 
Jurors,  omitted  here.]    Adjourned  sine  die. 

"Special  term.  July  4,  1S48.  Petition  was  presented  for  the 
viewing  and  locatiuii"  a  road  boirinninir  on  county-line  at  half  mile 
<'(n-ner  of  Section  'is.  Township  11  north,  llanofo  10  east,  thence  south 
throufrh  middle  of  Section  2.S  and  38,  Township  and  Range  as  aforesaid 
to  the  township-line,  when  it  intersects  a  county  road  running  on 
said  township-line. 

"  Another,  for  a  road  connnencing  on  Stiite  road  lending  from 
Shelbyville  to  Palestine,  Illinois,  at  the  line  dividing  Sections  11  and 
12,  in  Township  1)  north,  Ringe  0  east,  thence  south  on  or  near  said 
line  to  the  connty-linc.     Adjourned. 

"  July  r)th.  Time  employed  by  the  court  in  examining  and  ap- 
proving bonds  for  donations  for  the  county-seat  of  Cumberland 
County.   Adjourned  sine,  die. 

*' Special  term,  August  iSth,  1<S4."}.  Ordered, — that  an  election 
be  held  on  the  2Hd  day  of  Sei)tember,  A.  I).  1843,  at  the  different 
precincts  of  Cumberland  County,  111.,  for  the  puri)ose  of  voting  for 
a  county-seat  for  said  county,  at  which  said  election  a  poll  to  be 
opened  in  each  precinct  for  two  points,viz ;  Sconce'  Bend  and  Greenup. 
Ilolley  was  allowed  $(5  for  otfieial  services,  and  the  court  adjoiftned 
mne  die. 

"  Regular  term.  September  4th,  1843.  [Newly  elected  Commis- 
sioners and  Clerk  took  oath.  Favorable  re[)ort  was  made  on  the  two 
roads  petitioned  for  at  June  meeting.]  D.  T.  Wisner,  J.  P.,  reported 
fines  against  Johnson  Bright  for  assault  and  battery, — $3;  against 
Jesse  B(\'ils  for  same  offence, — $3.  Daniel  Xeedham,  J.  P.,  reported 
fines  against  D.  T.  Wisner,  for  tssanlt  and  battery, — $3;  against 
John  D.  Smith  and  Chipman  Webster,  each  for  the  same  offense, — 
$3.  The  latter  gave  notice  of  appeal.  Against  John  D.  Gardner, 
for  failing  to  comply  with  law  regarding  estrays, — $10.  Execution 
in  hands  of  Constable.  Payment  of  sundry  election  expenses  were 
ordered,  and  a  bounty  of  $1  for  the  scalp  of  wolves  over  six  months 
old.  and  the  court  adjourned. 

"  October  25,  1843.  James  Ilousley,  Ji..  John  Dow,  and  Lem- 
uel Peterson,  appointed  trustees  of  school  lands  in/rownship  10  north, 
Riinge  8  east.  Silas  Anderson,  apiiointed  Constable  for  Cottonwood 
precinct  on  petition.  Appropriations  were  made  of  niney-four  cents 
for  paper  and  inks  and  $3  to  Wisner  for  services.      Adjourned. 

"  December,  1843.  Ordered,  that  the  Treasurer  pay  James  Ewart 
for   candles   and    labor    done,    $2.12.      Formed    Wabash    precinct, 


128  IIISTOUV    i)V    CIMHEHLANI)    COUNTY. 

appropriated  $1;^. 43  to  James  Ewart  for  labor  performed,  and  sundry 
election  expenses,  and  adjourned." 

Thus  ends  tl)e  record  of  the  first  years  cx^n'rienee  as  an  independ- 
ent county.     The  record  is  but  an  inijierfect  echo,  liowever,  of  the 
agitations  that  absorbed  the  citizens  of  the  new  county.     By  the  act 
which  formed  the  county  the  settlement  of  the  county-seat  was  left 
to  the  people  for  de-ision,  and  a  contast  was  at  once  begun  which 
has  not  ceased  even  now.     In  the  course  of  settlement  the  northern 
part  of  the  county  had  developed  nearly  as  rapidly  as  the  more  fa- 
vored region  along  the  National  road,  and  it  was  doubtless  something 
of  a  disa])pointment  to  the  Greenup  people  to  find  the  location  of 
the  county-seat  so  ably  contested  by  this  section.     A  high  point  on 
the  Embarrass  Iliver  within  the  present  limits  of  Cottonwood  Town- 
ship, known  as  Sconce'  Bend,  but  platted  as  DeKalb  for  tli(>  pnrjioscs 
of  this  contest,  was  ottered  in  comiietition  with  Greenup.     The  ri\al 
points    were    canvassed  and  the    two    sections    brought   out   their 
supporters  to  the  hist  voter,  and  in  the  issue  proved  very  evenly  bal- 
anced.     On  the  ^od  of  Scptend)C'r  the  vote  was  had,  and  out  of  431 
votes  polled,  Sconce'|Bend  received  219,  a  bare  majority  oi seven  votes. 
The  vote  shows  the  nature  of  the  settlement  at  that  time ;    the  pre- 
cincts of  Hurricane  and  Clear  creeks  gave  72  and  23  votes  respectively 
for  Sconce'  Bend;  Long  Point,  .51  for  Greenu})  and  4  for  the  Bend; 
Cottonwood,  I  for  Greenup  and  74  for  the  Bend;    WoodlMiry,  4()  for 
Greenup  and  17  for  the  Bend,  and  Greenup  114  for  its  own  location, 
and  29  for  'its  adversary.     Although  DeKalb  was  thus  successful  in 
the  contest  before  the  people,  the  seat  of  justice  was  never  located 
there.     James  Gill  and  Thomas  Sronce  gave  bond   for  the  donation 
at  DeKalb,  but  it  was  subscipuiiiyy  found  that  the  title  was  encum- 
l)ered,an(l  the  friends  of  the  rival  village  made  all  the  capital  possible 
out  of  this  circumstance.     However,  logs  were  drawn  and  prepara- 
tions made   for  the  erection   of  countv   buildings  at  DeKalb,    until 
October]."),   1,S4I,   wluiu  the  Commissioners  ordered   the  work  sus- 
pended.    The  (piestion   was   by  no  means  so    easily    decided.     The 
proprietors  of   DeKalb  insisted   upon   the   sufficiency   of  their  bond 
and  plead  the  jjrevious  oificial   sanctioM,  but  the  Connnissioners  still 
hesitated.     Tlic  1)  )nd   w;is  sMbsc(|uently  submitted  to  Judge  Ihu'lan. 
who  decided  that  tlic'bond  was  le<»-allv  sutHcient,  and  in  Ai)ril.  1.S48. 
t  lie  Connnissioners  reluctantly  decided  to  t:il<e  a  deed  of  the  property, 
and  the  same  was  recoi'ded.     In  the  following  June,  the  court  decided 
to  advertise  for  bids  for  the  construction  of  the  i)ublic  l)uildiugs,  and 
on  the  20th  of  July  the  contract  was  let.     There  was  still  a  lifood  deal 
of  doubt  whether  the  coui\ty  had  a  good  title,  and  it  was  decided  to 


>■ 


HISTOUV    or    CUMBERLAND    COUNTV.  129 

oiico  more  submit  the  vvhoUi  m:ittcr  to  the  })(!Oi)U'.  The  site  of  De- 
Kalb  was  recoiiveyed  to  James  (xill,  and  in  Ftibruary,  1849,  an  act 
was  passed  by  the  k'oishitiire  authorizing  another  election  and  (ron- 
firmino-  the  action  of  the  Commissioners.  At  tliis  election  there  were 
several  contestants — Greenup,  Pleasantville,  Jerome,  Buck's  Knoll, 
and  even  ••  Bill  Dad,"  at  the  mouth  of  Muddy,  bosides  the  site  of  forty 
acres  ort'ered  by  Nelson  Berry.  The  result  of  the  election  was  in 
favor  of  the  latter  place. 

The  act  under  which  this  election  was  held,provided  that  the  fact 
of  the  election  and  its  result  shoidd  be  "  certified  to  by  the  Speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  at  the  next  session  of  the  legislature, 
describing  said  point  so  agreed  upon  by  the  inhabitants  of  said 
count}>  by  the  Clerk  of  the  County  Court  of  said  count}' ;  which  cer- 
titicate  shall  be  full  evidence  of  the  fact,  and  which  certificate  shall  be 
laid  before  the  said  House  of  Re[)resentatives,  and  the  point  so  selected 
shall  be  established  and  be  and  remain  the  permanent  county-seat 
for  Cumb3rland  County,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  for  by 
a  law  to  be  passed  by  the  legislature  at  their  next  session,  and  not 
otherwise."  It  is  difficult  to  understand  the  object  of  this  provision 
from  the  context  of  the  act,  and  it  was  shrewdly  suspected  by  the 
opponents  of  Greenup  that  it  was  framed  in  favor  of  the  latter  town. 
At  all  events  it  resulted  in  this  way.  The  certificate  of  the  facts 
was,  it  is  said,  to  be  sent  to  the  member  of  the  house  representing 
this  county,  but  from  design  or  accident  it  did  not  reach  him,  and  so 
Greenup  enjoyed  its  ill-gotten  gains  until  18-35,  when  the  issue  was 
joined  between  Prairie  City  and  Greenup,  which  resulted  in  favor 
of  the  former  by  608  to  518  votes.  In  all  this  protracted  struggle, 
covering  the  period  from  1843  ^o  1855,  Greenuj)  was  forced  to 
take  the  defensive  attitude,  and  while  continually  defeated  still  en- 
joyed the  advantages  of  success.  The  principal  opposition  to  Greenup 
was  its  location  on  the  east  side  of  the  P^mb.irrass  River,  which,  in 
those  days  of  no  bridges  or  very  poor  ones,  was  a  great  disadvantage 
to  the  larger  portion  of  the  county.  This  fact  proved  sufficient  to 
defeat  the  hopes  of  the  village.  It  had,  however,  thi;  advantage  of 
possession,  and  by  the  fiist  act  was  constituted  a  sort  of  residuary 
legatee,  a  position  which  its  friends  seemed  to  know  well  how  use  to 
its  advantage.  It  was  believcid  that  the  scruples  against  the  site  of 
DeKalb  were  founded  more  in  a  desire  to  aid  Greenup  than  to  secure 
the  county  against  loss,  and  the  failure  to  forward  the  certificate  of 
the  election  of  1849,  was  freely  charged  to  the  desire  of  certain 
officials  thwart  the  will  of  the  people.  However  that  may  bo,  it  was 
1857  before  the  official  records  were  removed  to  Pr.iirie  (yit\',  and 


130  IIISTOUV    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

then  the  clerk  of  the  county  used  every  means  to  resist  their  removal, 
save  force,  and  for  a  time,  even  force  was  threatened.  The  names 
most  prominent  in  this  feature  of  the  county  history  were  those 
of  Thomas  Sconce,  James  Gill.  Ewart,  Docius,  Smith,  John  and 
Nelson  Berry,  Lewis  Harvey,  A.  K.  Bosw(n-th,  Bciils,.  Rush,  Ross 
Brothers,  Redfen,  et  ah 

MINOR  DIVISIONS. 

The  records  of  Cumberland  County  do  not  furnish  any  data  by 
which  to  determine  the  division  of  this  region  when  joined  to  Coles 
County.  The  act  of  1843,mentions  live  voting  places,  and  then  doubt- 
less indicates  the  five  precincts  which  then  existed.  At  any  rate, 
amono'  the  first  acts  of  tlie  new  Commissioners'  Court  was  to  estab- 
lish  precincts  as  follows  :  "  Commencing  at  the  southwest  corner  ot 
the  county,  thence  easton  the  county-line,  to  the  line  dividing  Ranges 
numbers  8  and  9  east;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Section  86,  Township  10  north,  Ruige  <S  east ;  thence  west  on 
said  section-line  to  the  county-line  ;  thence  south  on  said  county-line 
to  the  place  of  beginning  :  said  precinct  to  be  known  under  the  name 
and  style  of  Woodbury.  The  phice  of  holding  election  to  be  in  the 
town  of  Woodbury  ;  Elias  Needham,  Charles  Bolm  and  Chipman 
Webster  are  hereby  appointed  judges  of  election  in  said  precinct. 

"  Commencing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county.thence  with 
the  county-line  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  30,  Township  10 
north,  Ringe  7  east ;  thence  with  said  section-line  to  the  southc;ist 
corner  of  S?ction  27,  Township  10  north,  Ringe]8  east  ;  thence  north 
with  said  section-line  to  the  county-line  ;  thence  west  on  the  county- 
line  to  the  place  of  l)eginning  ;  said  [)rccinct  to  be  known  miilcr  the 
name  and  style  of  CJmr  Creek.  The  i)lace  of  holding  elections  to  be 
at  the  house  of  William  Shores,  in  said  precinct.  William  Shores. 
Seelyc  Hays,  Sr.,  and  Jourdtm  Brown  are  hereby  api>ointed  judges  of 
election  in  said  precinct. 

"  Commencing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  2(),Townshi[)  1 1 
north,  Ringe  8  eist,  thence  south  with  said  section-line  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  Section  2f),  Township  10  north.  Range  8  east;  thence 
east  with  said  section-line  to  the  Embarrass  River  ;  thence  north  with 
said  river  to  the  county-line  ;  thence  we-t  with  said  line  to  the  place 
of  begimnng  ;  said  precinct  to  be  known  under  the  name  and  style 
of  Cottonwoofl.  The  place  of  holding  elections  to  be  at  the  house  of 
Ricliard  W.  Easton,  in  said  procinct.  William  Ryan,  Beni  White 
and  Thomas  True  arc  hereby  appointed  jiidges  of  election  in  said 
])re(inct. 


HI8TOKV    OF   CUMBEULAND    COUNTV.  131 

"  Coiniiiencin.iv  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  31,  Township 

9  north,  Rani^e  9  east,  thence  on  the  countv-line  to  the  southeast 
cornerof  Section  32,  Township  i)  north,  Range  10  east  ;  thence  north 
with  said  section-line  to  th(Miortheast  corner  of  Section  22,  Township 

10  north,  Ruige  10  east;  thence  west  with  said  section-line  to  the  line 
dividing  Ringes  S  and  i)  cast ;  thence  south  with  said  line  to  place  of 
begiiniing  ;  said  precinct  to  be  known  under  the  name  and  style  of 
Greenup.  The  place  of  holding  elections  to  be  at  the  school  house  in 
Greenup,  in  said  precinct.  A.  S.  Freeman,  Abner  Rees  and  James 
M.  Ward  are  hereby  appointed  judges  of  election  in  said  precinct. 

"  Commencing  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  33,  Township  9 
north.  Range  10  east,  thence  north  with  said  section-line  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Section  9,  Township  10  north.  Range  10  east ; 
thence  east  with  said  section-line  to  the  county-line  ;  thence  south 
with  the  county-line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county  ;  thence 
west  with  the  county  line  to  the  place  of  beginning  ;  said  precinct 
to  be  known  under  the  name  and  style  of  Long  Point.  The  place  of 
holding  elections  to  be  at  the  schoolhouse  near  M.  Rufther  in  said 
precinct.  John  Welker,  Lewis  Hill  and  Elijah  Russell  are  hereby 
appointed  judges  of  election. 

"  Commencing  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county,  thence  west 
with  the  county-line  to  the  Embarrass  River  ;  thence  south  down  said 
river  to  the  line  dividing  Sections  14  and  23,  Township  10  north. 
Range  9  east;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Sec- 
tion 17,  Township  10  north,  Range  10  east ;  thence  north  on  said 
section-line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  8,  Township  10  north, 
Range  10  east ;  thence  east  with  said  section-line  to  the  county-line  ; 
thence  north  with  said  county-line"  to  the  place  of  beginning  ;  the 
place  of  holding  elections  to  be  at  the  house  of  James  Gill,  Esq.,  in  said 
precinct,  which  said  precinct  is  to  be  known  under  the  name  and 
style  of  Harricane.  Lawrence  Stull,  Jose[)]i  Wade  and  Gideon 
McMillen  are  hereby  appointed  judges  of  election  in  said  precinct." 

In  the  following  December,  Wabash  precinct  wtvs  formed  out  of 
Clear  Creek  as  follows  :  "Commencing  at  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  county,  thence  east  four  miles  ;  thence  seven  miles  ;  thence  west 
four  miles  ;  thence  nortli  to  the  place  of  beginning."  Elections  were 
held  at  the  house  of  Tliomas  B.  Ross,  and  xV<lriau  Iliggins,  Jo!m 
McCartney  anl  James  Sawyers  were  first  ai)poin ted  judges.  In  the 
latter  part  of  I-St'J,  the  boundaries  of  Wabash  and  Clear  Creek  were 
again  readjusted,  Wabash  being  made  only  two  miles  wide,  and 
Clear  Creek  al)S(>rbing  the  two-mile  strip  thus  regained.  In  March, 
1852,   Spring  Point  precinct  was  forme  1  from  Woodbury,  its  limiU 


132  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND   COUNTi'. 

'•  ooniuioiK'inir  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  eoimt}',  thence  running 
east  on  the  county-line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  3G,  on  the 
ranire-line  between  Ranges  7  ami  8  east,  thence  north  on  said  line  to 
the  northeast  corner  of  Section  86,  Township  10  north,  Range  7  east; 
thence  Avest  on  said  section-line  to  the  west  county-line,  thence  south 
on  the  county-line  to  the  place  of  beginning."  The  place  of  holding 
elections  was  fixed  at  the  house  of  A.  Walker;  and  Thoda  Garrett, 
Edward    Brown    and    Reul)eu    Schooley  were    appointed  Judges  of 

election. 

In  March,  1856,  there  was  a  general  relocation  of  precinct  lines, 
each  of  the  eight  older  ones  being  shorn  of  their  territory  to  form  two 
new  ones.     Wabash,  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county, 
was  made  five  miles  wide  east  and  west,  and  seven  mik;s  long  from 
north  to    south  ;    Spring  Point,  next    on  the   south,    occupied  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  county,  was  seven  miles  north  and  south,  and 
six  miles  east  and  west ;  Clear  Creek,  joining  Wabash  on  the  east, 
was  five  miles  from  west  to  east  and  seven  miles  in  the  other  dimen- 
sion :  Woodbury  joine  1  Spring  Point  on  the  west  and  reached  to  the 
Emljarrass  River  on  the  southern  county-line.    Following  up  the  river 
to  where  its  line  reaches  the  present  southern  boundary  of  Sumpter, 
its  northern  limit  followed  the  present  boundary  of   Sumpter  to 
within  two  miles  of  its  western  limit,  then  turned  north  and  west 
takinif  six  sections  from  the  present  outline  of  Sumpter  ;    Cotton- 
wood extends  east  from  Clear  Creek  to  the  Embarrass  River,  its 
eastern  boundary  l)eing  formed  by  the  river  to  the  section-line  be- 
tween Sections  14  and  23,  Township  10  north,  Ringe  9  east,  where 
its  line  ran  west  to  the  southwest. corner  of  Section  L5  ;  thence  north 
to  the  northwest  corner  of  said  Section  1."),   thence  west  aloii^  the 
present  northern  line  of  Sumpter  to  the  line  of  Clear  Creek.     H-airie 
City  precinct  was  formed  out  of  the  territory  thus  provided  with  the 
following  boundaries:  "  Commencing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Sec- 
tion 14,  Township  \(S  north.  Range  8  east,  thence  south  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  Section  11,  Township  It   north.  Range   8  east;  thence 
east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section   9,  Township  9  north.  Range 

9  east;  thence  north  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  1(?,  Township 

10  north.  Range  !l  east;  thence  west  to  the  place  of  beginning."  On 
the  east  side  of  the  river  the  territory  was  divided  into  four  precincts. 
Greenup  was  composed  of  the  territory  contained  in  the  three  or 
four  fractional  sections  Avest  of  the  river,  and  that  between  the  river 
and  a  line  drawn  from  the  southeast  rorner  of  Section  32,  Township 
9  north,  Rmge  10  east,  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  20,  Town- 
shij)  10  nortli,  Ruige  10  east.      Its  northern   boundary  ran  from  the 


lIIS>T()ia     ur    Cl  MHKKi.ANU    tOl  NTV.  133 

last  nanioil  point  duo  wost  to  the  river.  Hurricane  occupied  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  county,  with  the  End)arrass  River  as  its  west- 
•ern  boundary.  Its  southern  limit  was  rather  irregular,  and  began  on 
the  i-iver  at  the  section-line  between  .Section.s  14  and  23,  Townshi}) 
10  north.  Range  i)  east,  thence  cjust  to  Lost  Creek,  thence  due  north  two 
miles,  and  thence  east  through  Avhat  is  now  called  Union  Center,  to 
the  county-line.  South  of  Hurricane  was  Long  Point  precinct,  and 
in  the  southeast  cornerof  the  county,  just  five  miles  square,  was  Crooked 
Creek,  the  other  precinct  formed  anew  at  this  time.  At  the  June 
^session  of  this  year  the  Connnissioners,  moved  by  petitions  of  sundry 
inlial)itants,  enlarged  Prairie  City  precinct  by  a  few  sections  at  the 
expense  of  the  precincts  of  Woodbury  and  Clear  Creek.  In  1858, 
the  precinct  of  Wabash  was  changed  to  Neoga,  the  name  adopted  by 
the  railroad  village  then  springing  into  existence.  In  185[l,  a  new 
precinct  called  Jolinstoum,  was  formed  from  Clear  Creek  and  Cotton- 
wood precincts,  with  the  following  boundaries:  "  Commencing  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Section  25,  Township  II  north,  Range  8  east, 
thence  Avest  on  county-line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  29, 
in  said  township),  thence  south  on  the  section-line  to  the  southwest 
corner  of  Section  5,  ToAvnship  10  north,  Rtinge  8  east,  thence  east  on 
the  section-line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  3,  said  township 
and  range,  thence  south  on  the  section-line  to  the  southwest  corner 
of  Section  11,  thence  east  on  the  section-line  to  the  southeast  corner 
of  Section  12,  said  townshi})  and  range,  thence  north  on  range- 
line  to  the  place  of  beginning."  In  September  following,  Woodbury 
precinct  was  divided  into  two,  called  Turkey  Creek  and  Pleasant- 
ville  precincts. 

In  November,  1857,  a  vote  was  had  whether  the  county  should 
be  organized  upon  the  township  plan,  and  decided  in  the  negative. 
Two  years  later,  however,  the  same  question  was  decided  affirmatively, 
imd  in  December,  the  Connnissioners'  Court  appointed  Thos.  Brewer, 
E.  Miller  and  Hugh  Reed  to  divide  the  comity  into  townships.  The 
committee  met  on  January  '22,  18(51,  and  divided  the  county  into 
eight  townships,  as  follows:  Union,  Crooked  Creek,  Greenup, 
Sumpter,  Cottonwood,  Woodbury,  Spring  Point  and  Neoga.  The 
divisions  thus  made  are  very  irregular,  and  varying  from  an  area  of 
thirty-tive  scjuare  miles  to  one  of  fifty-six  scpiare  miles. 

Neoga,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  comity,  was  formed  from 
the  precinct  of  the  same  name  and  Clear  Creek,  and  is  the  largest  in 
area  in  the  county.  It  is  also  about  the  wealthiest  township  in  the 
bounty,  is  well  adapted  to  growing  wheat,  corn,  grass  and  flax,  and 
<3an  boast  of  some  of  the  best  tilled  farms  and  largest  stock-dealers  ill 


134  HISTOHY    OF   CUMBEULANl)    COU.NTV. 

the  county.  Its  .settlement  was  not  early,  but  among  its  leadiii*^ 
citizens  may  be  mentioned  Tracy  Kiniinian,  Thos.  Appersou,  AVm. 
and  John  Miller,  David  Neal,  W.  B.  Phillips,  Jas.  Clark,  Lemuel 
Peterson,  J.  G.  liuchannan,  Geo.  Swauirh'.  jmd  others. 

Cottonwood  Township,  east  of  Neoija  and  north  of  Sunipter,  is 
nearly  a  reirular  i)arall('l()<>ram,  four  by  ei<jfht  miles  in  extent.  Its^ 
eastern  end  abuts  u\Hni  the  Eud)arrass  River,  and  a  few  sfpiare  miles^ 
by  the  eastward  curves,  and  con)prises  an  area  of  about  thirty-four 
square  miles.  It  is  provided  with  an  excellent  soil  and  a  varied  sur- 
face. It  contains  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  of  the  county,  and 
on  its  eastern  extremity  is  the  site  of  DeKalb,  which  Avas  successful 
in  the  tirst  vote  for  the  county-seat.  Johnstown,  a  little  northwest 
of  the  center,  was  an  imi)ortant  \illai>('  in  1.S37,  l)ut  has  since  deteri- 
orated, and  is  more  remarkable  for  the  si<>:ns  of  its  past  than  for  pres- 
ent i)ros})erity.  Amono;  its  citizens  should  be  mentioned  Richard 
Easton,  \\'ni.  Ryan,  Thos.  True,  Wm.  Morris,  Joseph  Berry,  Mc- 
Candlish,  Reed,  Brown,  Tate,  S:-ott,  Flake,  Bloomtield,  Russell,  and 
other  families. 

Union  Township  is  a  laroe,  irregular  division,  occupying  tho' 
northeast  corner  of  the  county.  It  lias  an  area  of  about  tifty-three 
square  miles,  and  is  a  tine  body  of  land,  beautifully  diversitied  with 
timber  and  prairie,  and  is  a  section  of  the  county  noted  fen*  its  well 
improved  farms.  Among  its  earliest  settlers  were  James  Gill,  Thos. 
Sconce,  Lawrence  Stull,  Joseph  Wade,  Gideon  McMillen,  (^utright, 
Neal,  Lawyer,  Franklin,  Mc Morris,  Waddle,  and  other  families. 

Crooked  Creek  Townshij)  forms  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
county,  is  bounded  on  the  north  In' Union,  the  cast  and  south  by  the 
county-line,  and  on  the  west  by  Greenup.  Its  outline  is  regular,, 
being  about  six  miles  east  and  west,  and  scncu  miles  north  and 
south.  It  contains  about  forty-one  square  miles  of  good  farm- 
ing lands.  It  is  especially  noted  for  its  large  yield  of  wheat.  It  orig- 
inally formed  a  part  of  Greenuj)  i)reein(t,  and  is  one  of  the  more  re- 
cently settled  i)ortions  of  the  county.  Amoni>-  the  leadinii-  familiiis 
are  the  Kellys,  Baumgardners,  Bakely,  LiMuan,  Hamilton,  etc. 

Gi'eenup  Township  lies  just  west  of  the  preceding  townshij).  and 
is  (juit<'  irrcgulai-  in  its  outline.  Its  longest  dimensions  are  nine  and 
a  half  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  six  miles  from  east  to  west. 
It  li<!s  principally  upon  the  east  side  of  the  Kmbarrass  River,  1)ut,  in 
the  laying  out  of  the  county,  some  ten  sections  were  added  to  it  from- 
the  west  side  of  tlu^  river,  makiiiL;-  an  area  of  some  forty-six  sipian^ 
miles.  It  claims  Greenup,  a  village  with  the  largest  plat  in  the 
county,  and    the    larger   part    of  Jewett,  a    village  on  its   western 


HISTOIiY    OF    CUMBEULAND    COUNTY.  135 

boundary.  In  this  township  is  found  some  ot"  the  tinest  timber  in  the 
county.  There  is  a  lariife  urea  of  cultivated  land,  also,  in  this  town- 
ship, upon  which  some  of  the  best  wheat  and  stock  is  grown.  Its  set- 
tlement was  one  of  the  earli(!st  in  this  region,  l)()th  Greenup  and 
Jewett  being  smart  vilhiges  as  early  as  1S37.  Among  the  older  citizens 
and  farmers,  not  elsewhere  mentioned,  are  David  Carson,  Sr.,  O.  K. 
l^osworth,  Jas.  Prentice,  Thos.  Tutewiler,  Jno.  Weatherholt,  T.  C> 
Smitli,Chas.  Conzet,  Sr.,  Jas.  Paul,, Joseph  Gilbert,  Evelands,  Camj)- 
bell,  Glenn,  McClain,  Forrester,  Troxtd,  Shii)lor,  Talbott,  Ward, 
Cook,  Ewarts,  Urights,  and  Monohon. 

Woodbury  Township  is  regular  in  outline,  in  the  form  of  an  L, 
and  contains  thirty-seven  sections.    Neoga  and  Sunn)ter  townships 
bound  it  on  the  north,  Greenup  on  the  east,  on  the  south  by  the  J 
county-line,  and  Spring  Point  on  the  west.     Although  numbering 
among  its  citizens  some  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  county,  its  de- 
velopment has  been  rather  slow,  and  for  some  time  has  been  jocosely 
called  the  l)ackwoods  township  of  the  county.     It  has  a  larger  area    ' 
of  timber  than  any  other  se(^ti()n  of  Cumberland,  and  is  more  noted 
for  its  timber  [)roducts  than  for  grain.     It  is  ra[)idly  outgrowing  its^  ~^ 
early  reputation,  however,  and  now  has  some  of  the  best  cultivated 
farms  in  this  region.     Fruit,  grain  and  stock  are  successfully  grown,  '1 
and  this  connnunity  bids  lair  to  excel  in  this  as  in  its  timber  indus- 
tries.    The  latter  are  a  prominent  feature  in  the  activities  of  its  peo- 
ple.    Thousands  of  ties  for  the  railroad  are  gotten  out  annually,  and 
a  considerable  number  are  constantly  engaged  in  supplying  these  and 
timbers  for  the  Vandalia  road.     Among  the  older  families  are  those     [ 
of  the  Harrises,  Kingerys,  Cidlum,  Wells,  Berry,  Russell,  Niccum, 
Cheezam,  Evans,  ShaH'er,  etc. 

Spring  Point  Township  forms  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county. 
It  is  five  by  seven  miles  in  area,  and  contains  thirty-five  sections.  Its 
outline  is  regular,  bcMug  bounded  by  section-lines,  and  is  generally 
cultivated  in  go(»d-sized  farms.  Stock-raising  and  trading  is  quite 
a  feature  among  the  business  interests  of  the  farmers.  Among  the 
leading  farmei's  are  mcnitioned,  E.  Smith,  McElhaney,  Faunce, 
Mather,  Pugh,  Smith,  Westly,  Sehi,  and  others. 

Sumi)ter  Townshij)  lies  in  the  center  of  the  county,  and  contains 
about  forty-five  square  miles.  Its  surface  is  crossed  by  the  Cotton- 
wood and  Muddy  creeks,  which  furnish  water  the  larger  part  of  the 
ye^r,  and  by  their  timl)ered  banks  sup})ly  the  farm  with  that  diversity 
so  necessary  for  the  best  success.  Some  of  the  best  farms  of  the 
county  are  found  here.  Among  the  older  citizens  of  the  township 
should  be  mentioned  Lewis  Harvey,  John  Vandike,  John  Berry,  Sr., 


13H  IIISTOKY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COl'NTi'. 

William  Richardson,  .loini  Bolp,  Hoiivv  Bador,  Aaron  Morton,  Boni 
White,  J.  A.  Polder,  8r.,  Charles  Bolin,  Charles  Seott,  Arniers,  Jud- 
vson,  Ashwill,  Perry,  Henry  Green,  Ezra  Stitt,  Ray,  John  Tabott, 
Holesap[)les,  Hubbard,  Seeley,  etc. 

PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 

For  fourteen  years  Cumberland  County  had  no  public  buildincrs. 
The  location  of  the  countj-seat  was  delayed  so  long  that  no  action 
•could  be  taken  in  this  matter.  In  the  meanwhile  temporary  quarters 
were  secured  of  James  Ewart,  who  furnished  room  for  the  County 
€ourt  and  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  t'ourt,  which  office  he  first  held. 
Liiter  a  house  was  secured  of  Daniel  Porter,  and  this  served  as  court- 
house for  some  ten  years.  The  Circuit  Court  was  domiciled  in  an 
old  log  schoolhouse,  which  continued  to  serve  as  a  temple  of  justice 
until  a  hall  was  secured,  and  then  the  courthouse  at  the  county-seat. 
In  1855  the  County  Commissioners,  reciting  the  fact  of  the  election 
by  which  Prairie  City  was  made  the  coimty-seat,  ordered  the  build- 
ing of  a  courthouse  as  folloAvs:  "  Whereas,  at  said  election  Prairie 
City  received  60<S  votes  and  Greenup  518  votes,  making  a  majority  of 
I»0  votes  in  tavor  of  Prairie  City;  and,  Avhereas,  it  is  made  the  duty 
of  the  County  Court  of  Cumberland  County,  by  the  terms  of  said  act 
in  the  event  of  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  at  said  election  beiuir  in 
favor  of  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  justice  to  Prairie  City,  to  procure 
suitable  public  Iniildings  for  the  public  officers  of  said  offices  of  said 
county,  and  also  to  provide  a  suitable  place  for  holding  court  in  said 
Prairie  City.  It  is  therefore  ordered  by  the  court  here,  in  pursuance 
of  the  provisions  of  said  act,  that  a  brick  courthouse  be  erected  upon 
the  public  square  in  the  said  toAvn  of  Prairie  City,  of  the  following 
<limensions,  to-wit:  —  feet  long,  and  —  feet  wide,  and  the  side  walls 
of  the  house  to  be  twenty-eight  feet  high  from  the  ground,  and  made 
of  good  merchantable  sand-moulded  brick,  and  to  stand  ui)on  a  foun- 
<lation  of  limestone  rock,  to  be  two  feet  below  and  two  feet  above  the 
.surface  of  the  earth,  the  toj)  foot  to  be  of  cut  rock,  hammer-dressed, 
iind  be  well  bedded  and  laid  in  lime  mortar;  andsaid  building  is  to  be 
covered  with  sound  joint  shingles,  and  finished  in  a  neat  and  substan- 
tial manner;  and  it  is  further  ordered  that  the  Clerk  of  this 
county  receive  sealed  proposals  until  the  iSst  day  of  this  month  for 
furnishing  the  materials  for  the  construction  of  said  building,  and 
also  for  the  mcclianical  work  in  erecting  the  same  according  to  such 
plans  and  specifications  as  may  he  furnished  by  the  court  previous  to 
the  time  of  letting  said  contract,  and  that  James  Redfern,  Esq.,  be 
and  he  is  hereby  appointed  a  committee  to  superintend  the  erection  of 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  137 

the  courthouse  luul  other  public  I)uihliugs  at  Pniirie  City."  This 
Avas  doue  iu  Juuo,  1<S5.').  In  the  uieauwhile  Charles  Hubbard  was 
appointed  agent  of  the  county  to  make  contracts  and  supervise  the 
I'onstruction,  because  of  the  hostility  of  the  County  Clerk  to  the 
removal  of  the  seat  of  justice.  In  the  following  December  a  contract 
was  made  with  Bennett  Beals  and  AViley  Ross  for  the  erection  of  a 
courthouse  at  a  cost  of  $U),.^00,  the  building  to  be  enclosed  bj- 
Noveinber,  IcSnlJ,  and  the  lower  room  to  be  coni[)leted  for  the  April 
term  of  the  Circuit  Court  in  1856.  So  determined  was  the  opposi- 
tion to  all  this  action  by  the  Clerk  that  he  refused  to  record  the  con- 
tract, and  it  did  not  appear  on  the  Commissioners'  journal  until  his 
successor  wrote  it  in  18.57.  The  contract  provided  that  the  building 
.should  be  forty  feet  scjuare,  that  the  foundation  should  be  of  good 
thick  heavy  limestone,  three  and  a  half  feet  high,  twenty  inches  below 
the  ground  and  twenty-tAvo  inches  above;  to  be  three  feet  thick  below 
the  ground  and  twenty-eight  inches  thick  above.  The  walls  were  to 
be  twenty-seven  feet  high;  the  lirst  story  walls  fifteen  feet  high  and 
twenty-one  inches  thick,  the  second  twelve  feet  high  and  seventeen 
inches  thick.  Other  specitications  called  for  three  outside  doors, 
nineteen  twenty-four  light  windows,  a  cupola  and  "  a  bell  that  can 
be  heard  live  miles;"  the  entire  building  to  be  painted  and  penciled 
outside,  the  blinds  painted  green  and  trimmings  Avhite.  The  plan 
and  inside  arrangement  were  common  in  that  day,  but  appears  quite 
primitive  beside  the  structures  of  to-day.  Double  doors  provide  for 
admittance  to  the  Circuit  Court  rooms  from  both  the  east  and  west 
sides,  while  a  single  door  on  the  south  side,  with  an  inclosed  entrance 
and  stairway,  leads  to  the  offices  above.  One-half  the  com-troom  is 
reserved,  by  a  substantial  railing,  to  the  court,  bar,  jury  and  wit- 
nesses, while  the  other  half  is  provided  with  pews  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  interested  spectators.  In  its  prime  the  outside  presented 
an  attractive  appearance.  The  bright  red  of  the  brick,  with  regular 
and  clear  penciling,  its  green  blinds  and  white  trimmings,  made  it 
an  ornament  to  the  village,  and  even  now,  though  shorn  of  its  early 
freshness  and  beauty,  it  possesses  a  quaintness  and  air  of  decayed 
luxury  that  hidi's,  to  a  great  extent,  its  lack  of  repair.  This  first 
and  onl}^  courthouse  still  serves  the  county  in  its  original  capacity. 
There  is  a  wide-s[)read  feeling  that  a  new  building  is  imi)eratively 
demanded  for  the  safety  of  the  records,  which  are  now  protected  only 
by  wooden  closets,  but  the  old  competition  in  regard  to  the  county- 
seat  has  so  far  intervened  to  prevent  a  new  building.  Greenup  still 
affects  to  believe  that  the  seat  of  justice  may  be  moved,  although  this 
would  require  a  three-fifths  vote  in  its  tavor,  and  hence   uses  its 


138  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

eftbrts  against  a  new  courthouse  at  Toledo.  Considerable  repairs 
have  been  made  upon  the  structure,  of  kite,  and  as  it  is  will  probably 
serve  the  county  for  several  years  to  come.  The  site  of  the  public 
square  was  originally  very  unpromising.  A  large  pond  of  water 
covered  a  part  of  it,  and  one  of  the  first  improvements  attempted 
was  the  Hllinir  of  this  slough.  In  1858  a  neat  wooden  fence 
enclosing  the  square  was  built  by  Reuben  Beals  and  W.  H.  Laugh- 
ter, at  a  cost  of  $488.  This  fence  is  now  sadly  broken  down,  but  the 
Boird  of  Sui)ervisors  have  contracted  for  a  fine  fence  with  the  Cham- 
pion Iron  Fence  Company  of  Kenton,  Ohio.  This  is  to  be  a  park 
railing  of  iron  spears,  very  ornamental  in  its  style,  and  to  cost  $1.8'> 
per  foot.     Aljout  one  thousand  feet  are  required. 

A  jail  building  did  not  seem  so  vital  a  necessity  to  the  county, 
and  under  the  circumstances  in  which  the  Commissioners  found  them- 
selves, they  made  no  attempt  toward  erecting  one  until  1859.  In 
the  meanwhile  when  a  prisoner  was  had  that  required  secure  keep- 
ing, the  jails  of  Coles  or  Clark  counties  were  brought  into  requisi- 
tion. Petty  offenders  were  kept  in  a  large  "  gum  "  which  the  Sheriff 
had  near  his  house  on  the  bank  of  the  Embarrass  River.  This  it  is^ 
said  was  quite  as  secure  for  the  time  as  the  modern  iron  contrivances 
of  the  present.  It  is  related  of  one  prisoner,  that  he  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  top,  and  after  knocking  off  the  boiird  covering  was  at- 
tempting to  make  good  his  escape,  when  the  whole  institution  toppled 
over,  shooting  the  prisoner  down  the  bank  into  the  river,  from  which 
he  finally  emerged  none  the  worse  for  his  involuntary  bath.  This 
was  probably  the  cheaper  way  of  releasing  him,  and  nothing  further 
was  done  for  his  recapture.  In  March,  1859,  however,  a  contract 
was  entered  into  with  William  Jones  and  Reuben  Bloomfield,  to 
construct  a  jail  and  jailor's  quarters.  The  buihling  was  a  single 
story  brick,  twenty  by  thirty-two  feet  in  outside;  dimensions.  This 
was  divided  into  two  parts,  the  west  side  bsing  adapted  for  living 
apartments.  An  ofiicial  report  upon  this  building,  in  1874,  gives 
the  facts  in  the  case:  "■  It  will  offend  nobody  in  Cumberland  County. 
to  say  that  the  jail  at  Prairie  City  is  a  miserable  alfair.  The  jail  and 
jailor's  house,  one  block  north  of  the  courthouse,  are  a  cue  story 
brick  building,  twenty  feet  by  thirty-two,  erected  in  1859,  at  a  cost 
of  $2,500,  and  now  in  very  bad  repair.  The  jail  proper  consists  of 
four  cells,  two  on  each  side  of  a  dark  and  narrow  corridor,  three  and 
a  half  feet  wide,  the  corridor  entered  by  a  double  door  from  the 
jailor's  room,  the  cells  about  seven  feet  square  and  seven  feet  high, 
two  of  them  of  boiler  iron,  and  two  of  oak  timber.  The  iron  cells 
are  secure  but  uncomfortable,  being  destitute  of  sufiicient  lioht  or 


HISTOR"\     nF   CUMBERLANI)    COUNTY.  139 

ventilation.  The  jail  is  insufficiently  heated  in  winter  by  a  stove  in 
the  corridor.  There  is  no  privy  in  the  jail,  but  buckets  are  used 
instead;  no  water,  except  as  it  is  carried  in  by  the  jailor;  no  sepa- 
rate provision  for  female  prisoners  (there  never  was  but  one,  how- 
ever, in  the  jail);  and  the  corridor  is  perfectly  unsafe.  The  floor  and 
the  ceilinof  are  of  plank,  and  both  have  been  broken  through.  The 
jail  was  very  dirty  when  visited  (June  30),  and  entirely  destitute  of 
furniture,  with  the  exception  of  straw  ticks  and  blankets.  There 
was  but  one  prisoner  in  confinement."  The  building  was  poorly 
planned  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended,  and  has  never 
properly  satisfied  the  needs  of  the  county.  But  few  prisoners  have 
occupied  it  a  great  length  of  time,though  on  one  occasion  some  thirteen 
or  fourteen  were  crowded  into  those  contracted  cells.  In  the  latter 
part  of  18()3  the  building  was  foinid  greatly  out  of  repair,  the  sleepers 
rotting,  and  greatly  in  need  of  renovating  throughout.  Considerable 
money  was  expended  at  this  time,  and  other  expenditures  have  been 
made  from  time  to  time  to  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  jailor's  family. 
It  has  since  been  condemned  by  the  grand  jury,  but  it  still  remains 
to  vex  the  public  eye  and  disappoint  the  [)ublic  service,  and  will  do 
so  until  public  sentiment  will  rise  above  the  jealousies  engendered 
in  the  county-seat  contest,  and  consent  to  the  building  of  a  new  one. 
The  care  of  the  pauper  poor  in  Cumberland  County  has  long 
been  a  vexed  question.  During  the  early  experience  of  the  comity 
the  poor  were  cared  for  by  some  family  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the 
cost  of  their  maintenance  paid  by  the  County  Commissioners.  A 
tract  of  land  was  early  secured  with  the  design  of  fitting  it  for  a  pub- 
lic alms-house,  but  for  some  reason  the  design  was  never  carried  out 
and  in  1862  the  Board  of  Supervisors  bought  160  acres  of  George 
Morcland,  at  a  cost  of  $1,900,  $.500  of  Avhich  were  paid  by  the 
transfer  of  the  land  .bought  early.  The  more  recent  purchase  is 
])lcasantly  situated  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Sumpter  Township, 
about  four  miles  from  Toledo.  The  pro})erty  was  provided  with  a 
log  barn,  and  an  old  residence  part  log  and  part  frame.  AVith  slight 
repairs  this  was  made  to  serve  as  the  abode  of  tenant  and  paupei*s. 
The  log  part  of  the  house  was  subsequently  abandoned,  as  it  was 
not  worth  repairing,  and  in  1(S73  a  new  building  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  about  $1  ,.500}for  the  tenant  and  his  family.  This  building  was 
withoiTt  halls  'or  other  passage-way;  partitions  of  inch  boards,  and 
ceiled  with  lumber.  It  contains  seven  rooms.  Later  in  this  year 
the  report  on  the  Poor  Farm  showed  that  the  old  house  was  in  bad 
condition;  that  it  was  not  worth  rcjiairing,  and  that  a  new  house 
ought  to  be  built  at  once.     The  Board  of  Supervisors,  with  commend- 


« 
140  HISTOUV    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

able  promptness,  ordered  a  new  one  to  be  ereeted  at  the  same  meet- 
ing of  the  report,  and  in  March  of  the  foHowing  year  the  building 
was  ready  for  occui)an("y.  This  is  a  neat  frame,  two  stories  high^ 
andal)out  forty  by  eighteen  feet,  witii  a  wing  sixteen  by  twenty  feet. 
In  1.S75  the  old  log  stal)le,  which  had  literally  rotted  down,  was 
replaced  by  a  fram(i  structure,  thirty-four  by  thirty-six  feet,  at  a  cost 
of  $375.  In  1882  a  neat  cottage  was  erected  for  the  tenant  of  the 
farm,  and  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  the  tenant  given  up  to 
the  inmates  of  the  institution.  The  farm  is  let  to  the  highest  bidder, 
who  pays  an  annual  rental,  and  receives  a  weekly  allowance  for  each 
pauper  boarder  maintained.  The  tenant  keeps,  clothes,  and  boards 
the  pauper,  stocks  the  farm  at  his  own  expense,  and  gives  a  bond  in 
the  sum  of  some  $2,000.  The  rental  at  first  was  $2  per  acre  for  culti- 
vated land,  and  the  allowance  $2  i)er  Aveek  for  each  inmate.  Since  then , 
as  the  farm  has  improved,  the  rent  lias  increased  and  the  allowance, 
at  times,  decreased,  so  that  the  annual  rental  reaches  $200,  and  the 
weekly  allowance  is  something  less  than  $2  per  week-  The  county 
employs  a  medical  attendant  by  the  year,  the  services  of  the  lowest 
responsible  being  retained.  The  farm  is  provided  with  a  good  ajjple 
orchard  and  good  fences,  and  presents  an  attractive  appearance  to 
the  visitor. 

FIRST   COURTS    AND   JURORS. 

The  first  Circuit  Court  was  held  in  the  village  of  Greenup,  and 
presided  over  by  Hon.  AVilliam  Wilson,  a  man  of  eminent  judicial 
a])ility,  with  Alfred  Kitchell  as  State's  Attorn(>y,  and  James  Ewart 
as  Clerk.  The  Grand  Jurors  that  served  on  this  court  were  as  fol- 
lows: M.  lluffner,  foreman,  Matthias  Roberts,  William  Hutton, 
James  Carpenter,  Elcana  Bright,  James  Phipps,  Samuel  Owings, 
Samuel  B.  Fairbanks,  Jorden  Brown,  Benj.  Drummond,  Stephen 
Wait,  Chipman  Webster,  John  D.  Gardner,  R.  K.  Boyd,  Jas.  Cissna, 
William  E.  Smith,  John  Feltner,  David  F.  Smith,  and  David  B.  Friz- 
zell .  It  is  reported  that  this  jury  when  convened  in  council  presented  a 
very  grotesque  and  novel  appearance.  During  the  time  they  Avere  trans- 
acting l)usincss  they  were  as  sanctimonious  as  a  Presbyterian  deacon, 
but  as  soon  asan  interval  of  leisure  interposed  they  would  straddle  their 
oaken  benches  in  pairs,  vis-a-vis,  and  engage  in  the  harmless  but 
scientific  game  of  ''  mumble  i)eg,"  or  make  a  practical  demonstration 
of  each  other's  capacity  as  a  "  high  low  jack  in  the  game."  To  be 
skilled  in  this  latter  acc()mi)lishment  was  as  fashionable  ami  indis- 
pensable in  those  days  as  it  was  requisite  for  a  swallow-tail  coat 
of  home-made  jeans  to  be  "covered  all  over  with  shining  but- 
tons."    "  Old  Davy  Wisner"  seems  to  have  been  among  the  first 


insToKv  ov  rr.MiJKKLAM)  rorvTV.  141 

untbrtuiiates  that  was  introduced  to  this  auiriist  hodv  of  iurviiicii  as 
a  malefactor  and  fla«>:rant  violator  of  law  and  order,  and  altiiouoh 
indicted  was  dischar«»ed  and  acquitted  on  tinal  trial,  with  the  excej)- 
tion  of  one  charo-e  of  nonfeasance  of  his  office  as  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
for  which  oft'ence  he  was  mulcted  to  the  tune  of  five  dollars. 

At  this  time  Cuml)erland  was  struck  off  from  Coles  County.  The 
la-st  assessment  of  taxes  had  not  been  collected,  hut,  under  a  provision 
of  the  act  formino-  tlie  new  county,  Coles  was  authorized  to  collect 
it.  The  new  county  people  looked  upon  this  transaction  as  legal 
robbery,  and  felt  that  it  should  properly  have  been  turned  over  to 
iielp  the  new  organization  bear  some  of  the  new  burdens  of  inde- 
pendent government.  However,  the  courts  could  not  wait  for  the 
people  to  pay  taxes  again,  nor  indeed  for  a  courthouse  to  be  built, 
so  an  old  log  schoolhouse  was  converted  into  a  temple  of  Justice, 
and,  in  justice  and  respect  to  the  officials  and  attorneys  of  that  day, 
it  must  be  said  that  suits  were  as  hotly  contested,  law  and  equity  as 
impartially  dealt  out,  and  the  cause  of  the  client  as  ably  and  earnestly 
advocated  in  the  old  schoolhouse,  as  though  it  had  been  a  costly 
stone  structure,  erected  at  a  cost  of  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars. 
Some  of  the  attorneys  who  attended  court  in  this  l)uilding  have  since 
attjiined  great  celebrity.  Among  others  was  Abraham  Lincoln. 
One  case  in  particular  in  which  Mr.  Lincoln  participated  was  the 
notorious  "Lustre  Case,"  which  was  brought  hereon  change  of  venue 
from  Coles  County.  The  charge  against  Lustre  was  an  assault  with 
a  deadly  weapon,  Avith  intent  to  murder.  Lustre  was  ably  and 
earnestly  defended  by  Lincoln  and  O.  B.  Ficklin,  and  prosecuted  by 
State's  Attorney  Kitcliell.  Lustre  was  convicted,  but  throuif-h  the 
efforts  of  his  counsel  was  afterward  jjardoned  by  the  Governor  on 
petition. 

Judge  Wilson  held  the  first  circuit  court  in  this  county.  He 
was  an  abb'  jurist,  firm  and  unwavering  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  his  position,  and  yet  full  of  sp(n-t,  and  enjoycid  an  iiour  of  pastime 
or  a  good  joke  as  wcdl  as  anyone.  H(^  was  a  lover  of  <>-ood  horses, 
and  was  frequently  a  witness  of  the  horse  rac(\s  which  w(a-e  so  com- 
mon here  in  the  early  day,  but  while  enjoyinj>-  the  excitement  witii 
the  keenest  zest  he  was  never  betrayed  into  l)acking  his  opinions 
with  a  ])et. 

The  old  log  strm^ture  which  served  so  excellent  a  purpose  as 
schoolhouse  and  courtroom,  stood  for  several  years,  serving  in  this 
double  capacity.  It  subsequently  served  as  a  warehouse,  but  has 
long  since  passed  away,  and  its  site  is  almost  forgotten. 


142  HISTOKV    OF    CTMBKHLAND    COUNTY 


COUNTY    OFFICIALS. 


The  fronor:iT  .•idministnition  of  oountv  :iffairs,  in  1843,  was  in 
the  hands  of  three  Commissioners.  In  accordance  with  a  provision 
of  the  oroanizii\ir  act  the  Commissioner|rcceivinirthe  highest  number 
of  votes  Avas  to  serve  for  the  full  tenn  of  three  years,  the  one  receiv- 
ino-  the  next  hioliest  vote  was  to  serve  two  years,  and  the  remaininir 
one  to  serve  one  year.  The  first,  a  special,  election  was  held  Ai)ril 
3,  1843,  and  in  the  following  August  tiie  regular  election  occurred, 
in  both  of  whii-h  the  same  choice  was  made  for  this  office.  The  Com- 
mifisioners  of  the  county  have  been,  therefore,  in  1843 — James  Gill, 
for  three  years ;  David  T.  Wisner,  for  two  years ;  Charles  Chown- 
inir,  for  one  year.  In  November,  1843,  Amos  G.  Lacey  was  elected 
in  place  of  ChoAvning,  resigned;  1844 — Isaac  Hedges;  1845 — 
David  T.  A\'isner,  re-elected;  1.S4G — James  A^' right.  In  the  same 
vear  Meredith  Hazelwood  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  Hedges.  In  April,  1847,  Jas.  D.  AMiite  was 
<'lected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Wright;  1847 — 
Meredith  Hazelwood,  elected  his  own  successor  for  full  term;  184S 
— John  Vandike  for  full  term,  and  Wm.  Helm  in  place  of  Hazel- 
wood,  deceased. 

On   April    13,  1(S4!),  the  act  of  the  legislature   establishing   a 
County  Court  in   each  county,  went  into  effect.     By  this  act  the 
regular  election,  which   had  been  in   August,  was  deferred  to   the 
Tuesday  after  the  first  ]\Ionday  in  November.     The  court  organized 
by  this  act  consisted  of  a  County  Judge  and  two  Associate  Justices, 
whose  term  of  office  was  four  years.     The  Judge  alone  had  jurisdic- 
tion in  matters  pertaining  to  the  probate  practice  and  law,  and  the 
three  together  had  charge  of  all  county  business  hitherto  devolving 
iipon   tlie  Commissioners.     The  first  court  was  elected  November, 
IS-I'J,  and  resulted  as  folloAvs:     James  M.    Ward,  Judge;    Thomas 
Brewer,  and  J.   H.  \\'illiams,  Associates.     November,  18o2 — John 
S.  Smith  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of 
Brewer.     18.53— W.  E.  Smith,  Judge;  Jas.  Kedfern  and  Jas.  Gill, 
Associates.     lsr)7— W.  E.  Smith,  Judge:  Jas.  Gill  and  M.  B.  Ross, 
Associates. 

In  1859  the  coimty  voted  to  adopt  the  townshii)  organization 
provided  by  law,  and  in  April,  18(51,  elected  a  Boardof  Siqicrvixom. 
Tlie  following  is  a  list  of  those  wlio  have  re})resented  the  various 
townsliips  in  this  capacily:  Suiujjter  Townsliip — W.  M.  P.  Rush, 
ISOI  to  l.s()5;  W.  L.  Morton,  18(11);  Tliomas  Brewer,  18()7  to  1868; 
D.  I).  J»idson,J 8(511;  C.  Woods.  1870;  1\I.  D.  Ross.  1871:  D.  B.  Green, 


^^. 


HISTORY  OF  cr:Miu:i;LAM)  COUNTY.  14r) 

1872;  M.  Ray,  1,S7;5  to  KS74;  James  A.  Elder,  Sr.,  1«75;  A.  D.  Mor- 
ton, l.S7()*,  Montraville  R:iy,  1877;  Benjamin  Cooter,  1878;  D.  D. 
Jndson.  I871I;  J.  K.  Richardson,  1880;  E/,ra  Stitt,  1881;  Henry 
Green,  1882;  A.  A.  Lovins,  1883.  Ncoca  Township — John  G.  Mor- 
rison, 18()1;  Aaron  Peterson,  18G2;  William  Neal,  18(53;  J.  M.  Rey- 
nolds, 18(J4  to  18G5;  John  LaDow,  18G6  to  18G7;  Thomas  A.  Apper- 
son,  18(18  to  1874;  D.  W.  Rti.irsdale,  1875;  Samnel  F.  Wilson,  1878; 
C.  P.  R.  Rodo-ers,  1877;  James  M.  Ewing,  1878  to  1880;  David  ^cmiI, 
1881;  J.  D.  Morrison,  1882  and  1883.  Cottonwood  Township- 
Joseph  King,  18()1  to  18(53;  Renben  Bloomtield,  18(54;  Nathan  G. 
James,  18G5;  M.  G.  Ryan,  18GG;  Joseph  Kinii-,  18(57;  Samnel  Brown, 
18G8;  H.  B.  Rnssell,  1869  to  1870;  William  Berry,  1871  to  1872; 
F.  Dunsino-,  1873;  W.  L.  Ryan,  1874  to  1875;  H.  B.  Rnssell,  1876  to 
1879;  William  Berry,  1880;  Garrison  Tate,  1881;  C  P.  R.  Rod- 
gers,  1882;  James  A.  Carrell,  1883.  Union  Township — Matthias 
Roberts,  1861;  D.  B.  Green,  1862;  John  G.  Morrison,  1863;  James 
E.  Stanford,  1864;  X.  L.  Scranton.  1865;  James  E.  Stanford,  186(5; 
A.  J.  Snarly,  1867;  John  Redman,  1868  to  1869;  S.  S.  Yanaway, 
1870;  John  Redman,  1871  to  1872;  J.  Bum_o-artner,  1873;  J.  C  Mil- 
ler, 1874  [J.  S-  R<^ed,  elected  December,  1874,  vice  Miller,  removed 
from  township];  John  Redman,  1875;  William  Classon,  1876;  John 
Redman,  1877  to  1879;  A.  J.  Carr,  1880;  John  Redman,  1881  to 
1882;  A.  A.  Neal,  1883.  Crooked  Creek  Township— W.  J.  R.  Leigh, 
1861  to  1865;  Walter  A.  Rulfner,  1866;  AV.  J.  R.  Leigh,  1867  to 
1868;  Thomas  F.  Kelley,  1869  to  1874;  W.  H.  DcBord,  1875;  Henry 
Wclker,  187(5;  W.  H.' DeBord,  1877  to  1878;  George  W.  Sartcr, 
1879;  W.  H.  DeBord,  1880  to  1882;  G.  W.  Sarter,  1883.  Greenup 
Township — James  Ewart,  1861;  John  J.  Kellum,  1862;  William 
Neal,  1863;  Warren  Covill,  1864;  John  Feltner,  1865;  John  J.  Kel- 
lum, 1866;  G.  Mouohon,  1867  to  1876;  Edward  Talbott,  1877  to 
1878;  John  Weatherholt,  1879;  E.  Talbott,  1880  to  1883.  Wood- 
bury Township— John  AV.  Aleshire,  1861  to  1862;  David  T.  AVisner, 
1863  to  1864;  Daniel  Kingery,  1865;  Levi  Farmer,  1866;  J.  W.  Ale- 
shire, 1867;  AV.  R.  Patterson,"  1868;  John  W.  Aleshire,  1869  to  1870; 
William  Culluni,  1871;  James  Russell,  1872;  AVilliam  Cullum,  1873; 
Henry  A.  Good,  1874;  John  L.  Ivens,  1875;  AVilliam  McElhaney, 
1876;  H.  A.  Good,  1877;  Joseph  Berry,  1878;  James  McElhinney, 
1879;  A.  M.  Farmer,  1880  to  1881;  AVilliam  McKinney,  1882  to  1883. 
Spring  Point  Township — James  AVisely,  1861  to  1863;  Thoda  Gar- 
rett, 1864;  James  AVisely,  1865;  James  B.  Smith,  18(5(5;  James 
Wisely,  1867;  James  B.  Smith.  1868  to  18(59;  Stephen  Smith.  1870: 
o 


146  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERL.VND    COUNTY. 

Clement  Uptmore,  1871  to  1872;  James  B.  Smith,  1873  to  1874; 
Frank  Sehumaker,  1875;  Louis  Sehi,  1876  to  1877;  Charles  McEl- 
hinney,  1878;  Louis  Sehi,  1871);  Louis  Schooley,  1880;  Louis  Sehi, 
1881  to  1883.     The  followmg  are  the  other  officers  from  1843  to  the 

present,  1883. 

Sheriffs. — The  Hon.  E.  H.  Starkweather  was  the  first  represent- 
ative to  the  Legislature  the  county  ever  had,  and  took  his  seat  in 
that  body  in  the  year  1844,  and  faithfully  and  ably  represented  the 
county  and  its  interests.     And  during  his  legislative  term  he  suc- 
ceeded in  having  an  act  passed  for  the  relief  of  Thomas   Sconce, 
Sheriff,  who  had  failed  to  make  a  settlement  with  the  State  Auditor, 
and  pay  over  the  State  revenue  due  from  the  county.    At  that  time  the 
Sheriff  was  also  ex-officio  Collector,  and  was  eligible  to  office  as  often 
as  the  people  saw  fit  to  elect  him,  and  was  only  legally  disqualified 
by  failing  to  make  proper  settlement  with  the  State  and  county,  and 
o-et  a  clearance,  or  as  it  was  in  legal  parlance  called  a  "  quietus." 
Mr.  Sconce  failing  to  receive  his  "  quietus  "  from  the  State  Auditor, 
upon  his  second  election,  was  refused  by  the  Auditor  his  commission 
as  Sheriff,  but  being  a  man  of  great  popularity,  and  full  of  that  mag- 
netic power  that  drew  and  bound  the  people  to  him,  went  before  the 
people  for  their  endorsement  and  re-election,  saying,  "well,  boys,  it 
is  true,  I  did  not  pay  the  money  o\qv  to  the  State,  and  get  my 
'  quietus,'  simply  from  the  fact  that  I  never  collected  it — you  have 
the  money,  and  if  anybody  is  defaulter,  it  is  the  people  themselves." 
And  the  people  believed  him,  and  such  was  their  confidence  in  hin^ 
that  they  re-elected  him  by  an  increased  majority  over  his   former 
vote.     After  this  popular  demonstration  in  his  behalf  the  Auditor 
commissioned  him,  and  he  served  as  Sheriff  from  1843  till  1848,  about 
which  time  he  died.     Mr.  Sconce  never  did  pay  the  deficit,  and  lion. 
E.  II.  Starkweather,  as  above  stated,  had  an  act  passed  relieving  his 
securities  from  the  burden.     Thomas  Sconce,  from  1843  till  1848;  Ed- 
ward Talbott,  from  1848  till  1850;  B.  F.  Aleshire,  from  1850  till  1852; 
Tliomas  Brewer,  from  1852  till  1854;  C  C  Jones,  from  1854  till  1856; 
B.  F.  Aleshire,  from  185()  till  1858;  Edward  Talbott,  from  1858  till 
1860;  Henry  Rhodes,  from   1860  till  1862;  E.   S.  Meeker,  from  1862 
till  1864;  John  Prather,  from  1864  till   1866;  Henry  Rhodes,  from 
I86(i  till   18i;s;  John   Prather,  from   1868  till   1870;  Edward  Bum- 
gartner,  from  1870  till  1872;  Henry  W.  Green,  from  1872  till  1876; 
James  A.  Candlish,  from  1876,  and  is  the  present  incumbent.     The 
term  of  office  is  now  four  years. 

Circnil  (7/(^rA\s'.— Under  the  constitution  of  1848  the  Recorder's 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  147 

oiKco  wii«  an  iiidopcMulcnt  one,  and  Otis  Perry  was  the  firsthand  A. 
K.  Bosworth  tlie  second  to  fill  this  office.  Under  the  new  constitu- 
tion the  Circuit  Clerk  was  made  ex-o^cio  Recorder,  and  the  inde- 
pendent office  abolished.  The  Clerks  have  been  James  P^wart, 
from  1848  till  1852;  Edward  Talbott,  from  1852  till  1850;  S.  D. 
Tossey,  from  185(5  till  18(14;  Edwin  S.  Norfolk,  from  18(j4  till  1872; 
Andrew  Carson,  from  1872  till  187(5;  W.  L.  Bruster,  from  187(5,  and 
is  the  present  incumbent.     The  term  of  office  is  four  years. 

County  Clerks. — In  1855,  when  the  coimty-seat  was  removed 
from  (jrreenu]:)  to  Prairie  City,  A.  K.  Bosworth,  who  was  then  County 
Clerk,  refused  to  move  to  the  new  county-seat  as  the  law  required, 
and  was  iSnall}',  upon  an  order  of  the  court,  removed  from  office,  and 
A.  G.  Caldwell  appointed  in  his  place.  The  recalcitrant  Clerk  made 
an  excellent  officer,  and  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  many  good 
qualities  as  a  man,  l)ut  ]>eing  determined  to  make  his  own  villao-e 
the  county-seat,  he  could  not  endure  defeat  with  equanimity.  In  this 
he  had  the  sympathies  of  the  community  of  Greenup,  and  in  1857 
was  re-elected,  over  Mr.  Caldwell,  to  his  old  i)osition.  Legallv,  he 
was  clearly  in  the  wrong  in  his  opposition  to  the  removal  of  the 
records,  and  yielding  to  the  inevitable,  he  went  to  the  new  county- 
seat,  where  he  filknl  the  office  of  Clerk  for  the  ensuing  four  years. 
The  County  Clerks  have  been  John  F.  Holley,  from  1843  till  1847; 
A.  K.  Bosworth,  from  1847  to  185(5;  A.  G.  Caldwell,  appointed,  from 
185(5  till  1857;  A.  K.  Bosworth,  from  1857  till  18(51;  M.  B.  Ross, 
from  18(11  till  18(35;  M.  R.  Lee  from  18(55  till  18(59;  A.  A.  Lovins, 
from  18(59  till  1873;  W.  R.  Humphrey,  from  1873  till  1877;  L.  B. 
Ross,  from  1877  till  1882;  G.  M.  Lemen,  from  1882,  and  is  the  pres- 
ent incumbent.     The  term  of  office  is  four  years. 

County  Judges. — This  office  was  created  under  the  Townshij) 
Organization  Act,  but  in  1843  an  officer  possessing  similar  powers 
was  elected,  and  termed  the  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace.  E.  H. 
Starkweather  was  first  elected  to  this  i)osition  in  1843.  In  the 
August  election  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature,  and  J.  M.  Ward 
was  elected  to  the  Justice's  position,  which  he  continued  to  fill  until 
the  constitution  of  1848  transferred  the  duties  of  this  office  to  the 
County  Court.  lie  was  then  elected  Judge,  as  before  noted.  As  at 
present  understood,  the  first  County  Judge  was  H.  B.  Decius,  from 
18(51  till  18(55;  Reuben  Bloomtield  iVom  l.S(55  till  18(59;  Wiley  Ross, 
from  18(59  till  1873;  John  W.  Miller,  from  1873  till  1882;  L.  L: 
Logan,  from  1882,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

Tvemurers. — Abram  Trease,  from  1843  till  1845;  S.  AV.  Iluffcutt. 


X48  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

from  1845  till  l'S.')0;  W.  L.  Morton,  from  1850  till  1861 ;  John 
Vandike,  from  18(51  till  18G3;  Andrew  Carson,  from  18()3  till  ISTI; 
A.  J.  Edwards,  from  1S71  till  1875;  T.  L.  Norman,  from  1875  till 
1877;  John  W.  Goodwin,  from  1877,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

Surveyors. — There  is  no  record  of  any  election  to  this  position 
in  Cumberland  County  before  1847.  At  this  date  record  is  made  of 
the  employment  of  Thomas  Sconce.  In  1848  the  records  note  the 
employment  of  John  W.  Aleshire.  In  1849  William  E.  Smith  was 
elected,  and  served  until  1853;  William  Jones,  from  1853  till  1857; 
George  Moreland,  from  1857  till  l.SCl;  William  Jones,  from  1861 
till  r869;  W.  H.  Rissler,  from  l.S()9  till  1<S72;  AVilliam  Wyldes, 
from  1872  till  1879;  George  Moreland,  from  1879,  and  is  the  present 
incumbent. 

County  School  Suj)erint€ndents.—Th\^  otficial  originally  had 
principally  to  do  with  the  school  lands  in  the  county,  and  the  distri- 
bution of  the  school  funds.  Under  the  school  law  of  1855,  and  sub- 
sequent enactments,  the  duties  of  the  office  were  enlarged,  and  the 
County  Superintendent  of  Schools  established.  The  gentlemen  who 
have  filled  this  position  in  Cumberland  County  are  D.  C  Decius, 
from  1843  to  1845;  J.  F.  IloUey,  from  1845— February,  1847,  Will- 
iam Freenum  was  appointed  to  till  vacancy  caused  by  death  of  llol- 
ley;  L.  H.  Goodwin,  from  1847  till  1851;  A  .K.  Bosworth,  from  1851 
till  1853;  H.  C  Woodworth,  from  1853  till  1855;  Reuben  Boals, 
from  1855  till  1857;  H.  B.  Decius,  from  1857  till  l.SGl;  L.  H.  Good- 
win, from  1861  till  1<S65;  William  E.  Lake,  from  1865  till  1873;  T. 
C.  Kille,  from  1873  till  1877;  Henry  J.  Crosscup,  from  1877  till  1881; 
W.  E.  Lake,  appointed  f(n'  1881;  Sanniel  C  Miller,  from  1.S82,  and 
is  the  present  incumbent.     The  term  of  office  is  now  four  years. 

SOCIAL    DEVELOPMENT. 

The  pioneers  of  Cumberland  County,  with  limited  exception, 
came  from  Kentucky.  The  larger  number  reached  this  point  of  the 
State  after  some  temporary  stay  elsewhere,  in  Indiana  or  in  Illinois. 
A  few  years  later  a  large  accession  to  the  settlenu'nt  was  received 
from  Morgan  ( 'ounty,  Indiana.  In  I  .S5()  the  gold  excitement  at tractcd 
a  consideral)h'  numlu'r  of  men  from  this  county  to  California,  but 
the  smaller  i)art  of  this  number  fcmnd  their  way  l)ack  to  Cumberland, 
and  to  this  extent  the  "  old  stock  "  was  depleted.  On  the  Avhole, 
however,  the  community  found  here  are  the  descendants  of  original 
pioneers,  while  enough  of  the  fathers  are  h^ft  to  trace  back  the  tics 
which  bind  the  present  to  the  past.     With   the  people  came  the 


HISTORY    OF   CUMHP]RLAND    COUNTY.  149 

€ii.stoiiis  and  prejiidiccs  of  the  section  t'loni  which  they  came.  Whisky 
was  a  prominent  factor  in  all  social  matters.  Distilleries  were  found 
in  every  part  of  the  county,  and  their  product  was  seen  and  used  in 
every  cabin  and  at  every  gathering.  A  citizen  of  the  county  describ- 
ing the  ditlcrence  between  the  product  of  that  day  and  this,  said  that 
the  present  licpior  was  stupifying,  and  had  not  more  than  one  fight 
in  a  gallon.  That  of  forty  years  ago  had  at  least  ten  lights  to  the 
gallon,  and  was  of  that  exhilarating  sort  that  leads  a  man  to  think 
he  might  move  mountains.  A  natural  result  of  the  general  use  of 
this  beverage  was  the  frecpuMicy  of  })ugilistic  encounters.  At  every 
ordinary  gathering  there  was  a  tendency  to  (piarrel,  and  few  passed 
where  many  were  brouijht  toofether  that  a  ti<2:ht  did  not  occur.  Sat- 
urday  afternoons  were  regular  holidays,  in  which  the  male  portion 
of  the  comnnmity  came  together  at  the  various  villages,  and  indulged 
in  pitching  (pioits,  wrestling,  shooting  at  the  mark,  or  running  their 
horses  on  a  wager.  In  most  of  these  contests  gambling  in  one  way 
or  another  was  a  prominent  feature.  To  one  accustomed  to  different 
customs,  such  amusements  seemed  to  betray  a  vicious  character  and 
a  ruinous  tendency,  and  it  would  be  generally  conceded  that,  con- 
tinued to  this  day,  such  })ractices  would  greatly  retard  the  prosperity 
of  the  comnnmity.  But  these  practices  had  their  origin  in  the  cus- 
toms of  an  okUu*  society,  lirought  here  in  contact  Avith  other  cus- 
toms, transferred  from  other  sections,  new  forms  of  amusement  and 
new  customs  were  developed,  and  with  the  change  of  circumstances 
and  surroundings  society  invented  new  modes  of  amusement.  The 
early  law  allowed  the  voter  in  general  elections  to  vote  at  the  county- 
seat  or  elsewhere  in  the  county,  and  such  occasions  and  the  opening 
of  court  brought  a  large  })roportion  of  the  male  i)o})ulation  together. 
Subsequent  changes  liroke  the  larger  community  into  smaller  ones, 
where  the  more  thoughtful  ones  had  greater  influence,  and  tliis 
boisterous  conviviality  has  gradually  been  done  away  with.  Another 
powerful  influence  toward  the  social  develo])ment  of  a  community,  Ls 
its  contact  with  others.  A  profltable emulation  s])rings  up,  business 
interests  become  involved,  and  orderly  habits  become  a  necessity. 
In  this  early  stage  of  develo})mcnt,  therefore,  the  flrst  highways 
played  an  important  part.  They  were  the  great  arteries  that 
touched  the  lines  of  the  various  minor  comnumities,  and  linked  their 
prosperity  together. 

The  Cumberland  or  National  road  was  laid  out  about  the  time, 
or  before,  of  the  earliest  settlement  here.  It  was  subsequently  com- 
pleted suflicient  for  general  travel  as  early  as  1832.     This  was  of 


150  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTl'. 

great   influence  upon  the  community,  brinirinsfj  iis  it  did,  persons 
from  all  ])arts  of  the  older  settled  portions  of  the  east  in  contact 
with  the  community  settled  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 
From  this  road,  at  different  points,  the  early  roads  led  back  on  either 
side  to  the  remoter  settlements.    Of  the  earliest  wasfon-ways  in  Cum- 
berland County,  scarcely  more  than  trails,  one  led  from  Greenup 
to  the  Johnstown  settlement;  another  led  from  AVoodbury  to  Johns- 
town, and  a  third  led  from  Greenup  to  the    Glenn  settlement,  iu 
Coles  Coiuity,    by  way  of   "  CutM^ood  Gap."      These  Avere  at    first 
the  only  reo-ular  routes  of  travel.     These  led  along  the  edge  of  the 
timber,  as  the  green-head  flies  made  it  impossible  for  animals  to  pass 
through  the  i)rairie  during  the  larger  part  of  the  day.     These  roads 
were  not  officially  established,  nor  regularly  laid  out,  nor  worked. 
They  were  simply  the  routes  from  one  point  to  another,  which  the 
people  generally  agreed,  under  all  the  circumstances,  were  the  most 
direct.      Streams  were  forded,  sloughs  were  a\oided   by  circuitous 
routes,  or  plunged  into  and  through  by  the  dint  of  horse  power  and 
endm-ance.     Often  the  teamster  was  forced  to  relieve  his  team  by 
unloading  a  part  of  the  burden  in  the  midst  of  the  slough,  if  his  pru- 
dence had  not  led  him  to  do  so  before  entering,  and  then  this  portion 
of  the  load  had  to  be  transferred  to  the  Avagon  again  ujjon  the  shoul- 
der of  the  man.     Thus  it  frequently  occurred  that  the  day  was  spent 
in  making  a  comparatively  short  distance,  and  tlic  teamster  would 
find  himself  worn  out  with  his  exertions  and  covered  with  the  mud  in 
which  he  had  been  obliged  to  work.    Tn  1835,  the  road  from  Greenup 
to  Charleston  was  established,  connecting  with  a  road  that  ])assed 
southward  through  Jasper  County.      In  bSo!),  a  road  from  Charles- 
ton, via  JohnstoAvn,  was   laid  out  to  Louisville,  Clay  Comity,  in  tliis 
State;  in  l(S4(j,  a  road  from  Greenui)  to  York,  in  Clark  County,  and  a 
little  later,  the  State  road,  which  runs  northward  through  the  center 
of  the  county.     These  Avere  the  ])rincipal  inter-<'ounty  roads.     In  the 
meauAvhile,   scarcely   a  session    of  th(^  County  Court  ])assed  without 
action  was  taken  on  some  of  the  neighborhood  roads,     'riicsc  at  first 
were  constructed  upon  the  most  available   direct  route    from  one 
neighl)orh()()d  to  another.     As  lands  were  entered,  and  these  routea 
were  found  to  interfere  Avith  private  interests,  they  Avere  changed  to 
run  on  section-lines. 

But  Avith  all  this  inultii)lication  of  roads  it  Avas  found  difficult 
to  reach  a  profitable  market  by  means  of  Avagons.  St.  Louis  Avas  the 
princi[)al  market  for  jjroduce  in  this  section,  and  the  National  road 
was  a  great  advantage  to  this  county,  but  even  by  this  Avay  the  cost 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNT!'.  151 

of  transportation  nearly  consumed  the  value  of  the  load.  Along 
the  larger  waterways  large  flat  boats  were  constructed,  laden  with 
grain  and  pork,  and  then  floated  to  New  Orleans.  The  Embarrass 
River  was  available  for  this  purpose  along  its  lower  length,  and 
under  the  supposition  that  it  could  be  used  in  Jasper,  Cumberland 
and  Coles  counties,  the  legislature  passed  an  act,  in  1847,  author- 
izing these  counties  to  levy  a  tax  for  clearing  out  the  drift-wood  and 
otlier  obstructions  from  the  channel  and  banks.  This  county  did 
levy  one  tax,  and  in  1848  Wiley  Ross  was  appointed  to  superintend 
this  work.  Debris  was  removed,  overhanging  trees  cut  away  at 
considerable  expense,  but  the  river  was  never  found  available  here. 
Two  flat-boats  started  down  from  Coles  County,  only  one  of  which 
got  into  the  Wabash  River.  The  numerous  streams  in  the  county 
added  a  serious  difliculty  to  the  early  travel,  and  gave  no  little 
trouble  to  the  County  Court,  which  was  embarrassed  by  a  very  lim- 
ited treasiuy.  The  only  important  bridge  in  the  county,  until  about 
IS'60,  was  the  bridge  on  the  National  road,  built  across  the  Emban-ass 
by  the  government.  This  was  built  about  1832,  and  was  a  good 
specimen  of  workmanlike  skill  and  patience.  It  served  the  public 
well,  but  the  constant  wear  of  travel  and  weather  reduced  it  to  a 
wreck  in  about  thirty  years.  Warped  out  of  shape  and  in  a  dan- 
gerous condition,  it  was  still  used  until  its  final  destruction,  / 
about  18G5. 

The  destruction  of  this  old  bridge  seems  to  have  worked  up  a 
new  era  in  the  history  of  the  Embarrass  River,  particularly  in  the 
locality  of  Greenup,  for  it  seems  the  river  had  not  been  discovered 
to  be  navigable  for  boats,  especially  from  bank  to  bank,  until 
then.  This  is  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  Embarrass  well  remem- 
bered by  some  of  the  old  Boards  of  Supervisors,  who  were  so  i)ersist- 
ently  assailed  for  ferry-boat  licenses  and  cliarters,  and  price  lists, 
along  in  186(_)-G7.  After  the  destruction  of  the  old  bridge,  Reuben 
Mattox  establishel  a  ferry  in  18  Id,  at  the  point  where  the  Cumber- 
land road  crosses  the  river.  The  charter  of  this  ferrv  was  o-runted 
by  the  County  Board  to  Mr.  Mtittox,  who  run  the  boat  until  it 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Abe  Parker.  This  boat  was  first  built  with 
the  intention  of  being  kept  up  and  sustained  by  the  town  of  Greenup, 
but  for  some  reason  the  enterprise  failed  and  Mr.  Mattox  took  it 
up.  Mr.  Parker  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  Cisna,  and  he  by  Henson 
Briglit.  Ill  Juno,  18(15,  Chas.  Conzet,  Jr.  and  Wm.  E.  Workman 
established  a  ferry  at  the  point  where  the  Charleston  and  Greenup 
road  crosses  the  river.       Thev    run    this    boat  for  some  time  and 


152  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

assio-ned  it  to  Sam  Cisiia  and  Clias.  Allen.  The  l)oat  afterwards 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Cisna  alone,  and  afterwards  back  to  Work- 
man, who  owned  the  boat  when  he  died,  in  1871.  R.  M.  G.  Cleghorn 
run  the  boat  for  some  time  after  the  death  of  Workman.  It  then 
passed  into  the  hands  of  John  Hallett,  whose  almost  superhuman 
appeals  to  the  Great  Boatman,  who  ferries  people  across  the  river 
Jordan,  could  almost  make  the  boat  glide  without  any  other  exer- 
cise or  propellant  power.  It  then  came  back  into  the  hands  of  Sam 
Cisna,  who  succeeded  Hallet.  During  the  time  Workman  ran  it,  a 
small  saloon  was  attached  to  the  boat,  the  result  of  which  was  to 
make  the  head  swim  as  well  as  the  body,  making  a  kind  of  double 
ferry  and  adding  to  the  financial  part  of  the  arrangement.  Although 
this  saloon  was  a  small  affair,  its  liquors  spoke  as  loudly  in  their 
workino-s  as  thouirh  drank  in  one  of  the  dashing  saloons  of  London, 
or  New  York.  During  Workman's  last  term  (under  a  twenty  years 
charter),  he  constructed  a  "  pontoon  bridge,"  which  rendered  cross- 
ing more  safe  and  convenient.  But  Workman  has  crossed  the  big 
ferry,  and  the  pontoon  bridge  is  gone. 

The  business  of  conducting  a  ferry,  even  at  that  date,  had  its 
discouraofements.  This  route  was  considerablv  traveled,  and  while 
the  Board  had  granted  a  very  liberal  list  of  charges,  especially  in  the 
case  of  foreign  travel,  it  did  not  prove  highly  remunerative.  People 
did  not  seem  to  appreciate  the  private  character  of  the  enterprise, 
and  it  is  said  the  irritated  proprietor  rushed  bt^fore  the  Board,  at  one 
of  its  sessions,  threw  his  hat  upon  the  table  liefore  them,  exclaim- 
ing, "  Gentlemen,  I  want  you  to  do  something  to  compel  people 
to  pay,  when  they  cross  on  the  ferry  ;  for,  by  G — d  !  I  have  to  keep  a 
hired  hand  to  run  the  boat  for  me,  while  I  stand  on  the  bank  with 
my  coat  oft*  and  sleeves  rolled  up,  ready  to  flog  them  if  they  don't 
pay,  d— d  if  I  don't,  and  I  am  getting  tired  of  it,  and  want  you  to 
do  something  to  make  them  pay,  without  my  having  to  flog  it  out  of 
them."  It  is  not  recorded  how  the  Board  satisfied  the  irate  ferry- 
man, but  as  a  memorial  of  AVorkman,  and  of  the  skill  of  James 
Eaton  in  the  use  of  a  broad  axe,  the  boat  remained  for  years,  serv- 
ing a  temporary  sul)stitute  for  the  old  bridge.  A  ferry  is  still  used, 
about  two  months  in  the  year,  on  the  road  leading  from  Toledo  to 
Greenup. 

In  18i!2,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  contracted  for  a  bridge  across 
the  Embai-rass  River  at  Nees'  Ford,  where  the  section-line  crosses 
the  river  due  east  of  the  courthouse,  and  for  the  repair  of  the  old 
bridire  on  the  Cumberland  road.    The  first  was  built  at  a  cost  of  some 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTl'.  153 

$650,  paid  by  the  county,  and  a  snbsoription  of  $380  by  those  inter- 
ested. The  repairs  on  the  old  bridge  were  carried  forward  very 
slowly,  and  the  strnctnre  was  carried  away  before  it  was  finished. 
In  this  year,  also,  l)ridges  were  constructed  over  Muddy  Creek,  on 
the  road  from  Toledo  to  Neoga,  and  over  the  Cottonwood  Creek,  on 
the  road  from  Toledo  to  Greenup.  These  are  unimportant  struct- 
ures, and  were  built  at  a  cost  of  al)out  §300  each.  Under  the  town- 
ship orijanization,  the  county  central  authority  has  l)ut  a  limited  con- 
trol of  the  subject  of  bridije  liuilding,  and  in  this  county,  the  unusual 
fact  was  presented,  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  willins:  to  construct, 
and  the  township  backward  in  l)uildin<,'-.  The  Board  had  made  sev- 
eral attempts  to  secure  a  durable  bridge  over  the  Enil^arrass  on  the 
National  road,  but  no  practical  result  had  followed  when,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1(S75,  the  following  "  whereas  "  was  passed:  "  Whereas,  the 
county  of  Cumberland  is  greatly  deficient  in  bridges,  and  that  a 
bridge  is  needed  across  the  Embarrass  River,  at  the  National  road 
crossing  in  Greenup;  also,  one  across  ]\Iuddy  Creek,  at  the  crossing 
west  of  Prairie  City,  in  Sumpter  Township;  also  one  across  ]\luddy 
Creek,  at  the  Xational  road  crossing  in  Woodliury  Township;  and 
also,  one  across  the  Embarrass  River,  at  the  Ryan  Ford,  in  Union 
Township;  and,  whereas,  our  county  is  out  of  debt  and  amply  able 
to  build  good  and  dural>le  bridges  on  easy  terms;  now,  therefore,  we, 
the  said  Board,  Avould  respectfully  recommend  to  the  Commissioners 
of  Highways,  that  they  take  the  necessary  legal  steps  to  build  bridges 
at  the  respective  places  above  mentioned;  that  we  recommend  the 
building  of  good  iron  bridges  at  the  said  crossings,  and  that  they  be 
placed  on  good  iron  a])utments,"  etc.  The  Board  further  recom- 
mended that  contracts  be  made  Avith  tlic  ^NIcKay  &  Nelson  Iron 
Bridge  Company,  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.  This  action  on  the  part  of 
the  Board  developed  some  activity  among  the  township  authorities, 
and  contracts  were  let  for  three  of  these  bridges,  which  were  erected 
in  the  following  year.  The  bridge  at  the  Woodl)ury  Ford  was  cajr- 
ried  out  by  high  water  in  1<S82.  The  repair  of  this  bridge,  including 
the  cost  of  raising  the  grade,  it  is  estimated  will  cost  upwards  of  $4,000, 
and  is  now  imder  consideration.  The  bridge  at  Rj-an's  Ford  was 
contracted  for  in  August,  1883,  for  $(),700.  The  three  bridges  con- 
structed in  1876,  cost  about  $20,000,  of  which  fell  to  the  county  some- 
thing over  $17,000.  There  was  some  ditfiindty  in  settlement  with  the 
contractors,  and  the  Board  finally  compromised  on  $16,087.95  as  its 
share. 


154  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

RAILROADS. 

lUinois    Central  liailroacl — A^'ith  the  application  of  steam  to 
locomotion  a  new  era  dawned,  and  all  systems  of  internal  improvement 
founded  \\\Km  wairon-ways,  or  m  constant  streams,were  revolutionized. 
"With  the  buildinir  of  the  railroads  the  crreat  advanta<<e  of  the  National 
road  was  lost,  and  the  public  clamored  for  this  new  power  that  w^as  to 
revolutionize  the  age.  Situated,  as  it  is,  remote  from  navigable  streams, 
and  from  large  centers  of  trade,  Cumberland  County  for  years  seriously 
felt  the  need  of  railroad  facilities,  and  as  one  part  after  another  of 
the  State  felt  the  invigorating  influence  of  this  new  agent  of  civil- 
ization, it  receded  by  contrast  until  what  was  a  leading,  enterprising 
section,  became  an  isolated,  non-progressive  community.      In  iN'^o, 
the  Illinois  Central  Riilroad  crossed  the  northwestern  corner.     The 
projection  of  this  great  enterprise  is  a  part  of  the  history  of  the 
State.     Constituting  a  part  of  the  State  internal   improvement  sys- 
tem of  1837,  it  was  abandoned  in  the  general  collapse  of  the  project 
after  some  Avork  on  the  line  had  actually  been  done.     A  part  of  the 
line  was  subsequently  revived  by  legislation,  but  the  enterprise  lacked 
vitiility,  until  couirress  in  1850  i^ranted  to  the  State  a  tract  of  some 
three  millions  of  acres,  through  the  central  part  of  the  State,  in  aid 
of  its  construction.     This  act  granted  the  right  of  way  for  the  rail- 
road through  the   public  lands,    of  the  width  of  200  feet,  from  the 
southern  tenninus  of  the  Illinois  and  ]Michigan  Canal,  to  a  point  at 
or  near   the  junction  of  the  Ohio  and   Mississippi  rivers,  and  for 
branches  from  the  main   line  to   Galena  and  Chicago.     Privilege  to 
take  from  them  earth,  stone  and  timber  for  its  construction,  was  also 
tifranted,  but  the  main  orant  consisted  of  alternate  sections  of  land, 
designated  by  even  nimibers,  for  six  sections  deep  on  each  side  of  its 
main  line  and  branches.    Land  sold  or  pre-empted  within  this  twelve- 
mile  area,  miaht  be  made  o-ood  by  selections  of  even  sections  of  pub- 
lie  land  anywhere  within  fifteen  miles  of  the  line  of  road.   The  lands 
in  this  si)ace  were  innnediatel}'  taken  out  of  the  market,  and  Avhen 
placed    on  the  market  two  years  later,  the  price  of  public    lands 
was  advanced  to  $2.50  per  acre.    The  complete  plan  of  the  projectors 
of  this  bill  in  conirress,  was  the  continuance  of  this  line  of  railroad 
direct  to  Mobile.     In  1852  the  road  was  begun  and  carried  through 
without  any  great  dehiy.      The  line  through  Cumberland  was  built 
in  \K)'u  and  a  station  made,  called  Neoga,  which  has  given  its  name 
to  the  village  and  township.     The  ellect  of  this  road  upon  the  devel- 
opment of  the  county  was  marked  ])rincipally   in    the  (juickening  of 
innnigration    to   this   point.     A    large   proportion  of  the   lands    in 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  155 

Cumberland  County  belonged  to  the  o-eneral  govemnient  in  1850. 
Some  lands  within  the  railroad  grant  had  been  purchased  by  settlers, 
and  lands  in  lieu  of  these  were  selected  by  the  railroad  fully  fifteen 
miles  from  its  line  in  this  county.  B^'  the  time  the  railroad  was 
actually  built,  there  was  scarcely  a  piece  of  public  land  in  the  county. 
The  railroad  lands  were  unsold  imtil  some  years  later. 

/Saifit  Louis,  Vandalia  ^ic  Terre  Haute  Railroad. — The  location 
of  the  "Central"  road   made  it  of  little   adyantage  to  the  Sfeneral 
business  of  the  county.     It  deyeloped  a  thrivinii-  yillaire  about   its 
depot  in  this  county,  but   its   long   distance   from  the  main  business 
points  rendered  the  desire   for   another  railroad  none  the  less  keen. 
The  region  of  the  State  between  lines  running  east  and  west  through 
Terre  Haute  and  Vincennes,  found  its  best  market  at  Saint  Louis  and  the 
East.     For  these  markets  the  Central  furnished  no  facilities  for  trans- 
portation, but  on  the  contrary  its  friends  were  bitterly  hostile  to  the 
construction  of  any  road  from  either  of  the  points  mentioned  to  Saint 
Louis.     The  agitation  for  the  building  of    the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
began  in  1JS41),  and  it  was  not  until  1851  that  the  legislature  reluc- 
tantly granted  it  a  charter.     The   Atlantic  &  Mississippi  Kailroad 
was  projected  at  the  same  time.     This  proposed  to  reach  Saint  Louis 
via  Vandalia,  from    Terre  Haute,  and  Avas  popularly  knoAvn  as  the 
"  Brough  road.  "     This  line  was  considered  to  be  in  direct  conflict  with 
the  interests  of  Alton,  Avliich  then  posed  as  a  rival  of  Saint  Louis, 
and  in  ruinous  competition  with  the  Terre  Haute  &  Alton  Koad, 
which  was  then  being  l)uilt.      Col.    John  Brough,  a  leading  public 
citizen  of  Indiana,  was  at  the  head  of  the   enterprise.      Refused  a 
charter  in  1851,  he  proceeded  to  oruanize  a  company  under  the  gen- 
eral law  of  18411,  iMit  after  some  $5()0,()(K)  was   subscribed  it  was 
found  impracticable  to  proceed  under  that  law,  and  in  1858  a})plica- 
tion  was  again  made  for  a  charter  and  promptly  denied.     The  deter- 
mination of  Col.  Brough  had  brought  out  the  full  force  of  the  oppo- 
sition, and  every  attempt  to  charter,  by  individual  links,  a  line  from 
Terre  Haute  to  Saint  Louis  was  met  with  defeat.     The  survey  of  this 
line  of  road  passed  throui^h  Cumberland    County  considerably  north 
of  the  National  road,  and  in  1854  the  people  yoted  to  take  $80,000 
of  stock.      The  Brough  road,  however,  was  rclincjuished,  and  a  new 
organization  took  up  the  project.      On  November  2?),  1858,  the  lead- 
ing men  of  Cumberland,  Clark,  Crawford,  Jasper  and  other  counties 
to  be  traversed  by  the  i)roi)osed  road,  met  at  Salem.       A  vigorous 
address  Avas  adojjted,  and  a  conuuittee  of  twenty  men  appointed  to 
present  it  to  the  Governor.     An  extra  session  of  the  legislature  was 


156  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY- 

called,  ami  the  "Mississippi  &  Atlantic"  road  was  chartered.  Its 
construction  was  greatly  delayed.  One  line  after  another  was  run, 
and  it  was  tVeelv  charired  in  many  quarters  that  the  enofineers  were 
advertisiuir*  bv  their  actions,  for  bids  to  influence  their  final  location 
of  the  line.  In  18(j(),  the  people  of  Cumberland  Count}-  voted  to 
take  $r)0,00()  in  stock  of  this  company,  upon  the  condition  that  the 
company  should  '*  locate,  construct  and  equip  a  railroad"  through 
the  county  in  an  east  and  west  direction,  and  not  south  •'  of  the  line 
surveyed  and  adopted  by  the  Mississippi  &  Atlantic  Kailroad  Com- 
pany." A  proposition  was  made  in  ISiiS,  by  the  company,  that  the 
county  should  vote  $100,000  in  aid  of  the  enterprise,  provided  that 
the  road  should  be  built  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  Prairie  City, 
otherwise  to  pay  only  SaOjOOO.  This  seemed  to  be  an  effort  to  evade 
the  conditions  upon  which  the  former  sul)scription  had  been  made, 
and  when  sul)mitted  to  the  people  was  defeated  by  an  overwhelming 
majority.  The  road  was  finally  constructed  upon  a  line  south  of  the 
one  stipulated  in  the  conditions  upon  Avhich  the  subscription  was 
based,  and  the  count}'^  has  not  paid,  nor  in  fact  issued  any  bonds  to 
this  company. 

This  road,  in  1869,  secured  an  amendment  to  the  original  charter 
giving  the  company  the  usual  privileges,  immimities  and  benefits  for 
branch  lines  from  the  main  track  to  ^Marshall,  Prairie  City,  and 
one  or  two  other  points  in  the  State.  Some  agitation  was  set  on 
foot  to  secure  a  branch  to  the  count v-seat.  The  auofreo^ate  cost 
of  the  proposed  branch  was  placed  at  $9,000,  and  on  April  5,  1873,  a 
meeting  of  the  citizens  interested  in  the  project  was  held,  but  the 
branch  never  made  much  progress  in  a  practical  way,  and  the  other 
railroad  projects  drove  it  out  of  the  public  mind. 

Peoria,  Decatur  <&  EvansviUe  Railroad — The  brilliant  success 
of  the  "  Central  "  gave  rise  to  a  general  desire  among  certain  capi- 
talists to  try  this  sort  of  speculation,  and,  in  IS').'),  a  road  was  pro- 
jected from  Mattoon  to  Grayville,  on  the  Wabash  River.  A  charter 
was  finally  secured  Feliruarv  6,  18.57,  but  up  to  1^7(5  nothing  had 
been  accomplished  in  the  way  of  grading.  A  part  of  the  original 
plan  was  to  find  an  outlet  through  Indiana,  and  the  Mount  Vernon  & 
Grayville  Railroad  Company  Avas  the  name  of  the  Indiana  division 
To  the  construction  of  this  road  the  terminal  county  had  voted  a  large 
subscription,  which  was  subsequently  diverted  to  the  building  of  a 
new  coui't  house.  The  first  s])ike  had  been  driven  on  this  division  in 
the  early  i).irt  of  ISJI,  and  sonic  fi\c  miles  of  tlu>  road  graded  and 
laid  with  rail,  but  the  treacherous  action  of  the  people  at  the  terminal 


III.STOKY    OF    CUMBEKLAM)    COUNTi'.  157 

point  discouraired  further  work  in  that  direction,  hi  ^March,  1x72, 
the  two  companies  were  consolidated  under  the  name  of  tlie  Cliica<jo 
ct  Illinois  Southern  Kailroad  Company,  and  about  the  same  time,  this 
new  or^^ranization  was  consolidated  with  the  Decatur,  Sullivan  &  Mat- 
toon  Company,  which  had  been  foniied  under  a  charter  irranted  in 
1871.  "With  all  this  activity  in  the  transfer  of  franchises,  and  the 
utter  absence  of  any  ajiparent  i)ro;jn"ess  in  the  work,  the  i)eople  beijan 
to  believe  that  the  bonds  voted  at  various  i)oints  would  be  scpian- 
dered  and  no  railroad  secured.  In  resi)onse  to  some  of  these  com- 
plaints, the  contractors  of  the  time  wrote  to  an  influential  friend  of 
the  enterprise,  at  Olney,  111.,  as  follows: 

J.  W.  Beck,  Esq.,  Olney,  HI.  ^'^w  York,  July  24,  1871. 

Dear  Siu:— In  answer  to  your  favor  of  the  21st  inst,  asking 
information  in  reference  to  the  construction  of  the  Chicao-o  &  Illinoit 
Southern  Railroad,  we  would  state  that  since  we  undertook  the  con- 
tract to  build  that  road,  our  efforts  have  been  applied  to  the  work  in 
Posey  County,  Ind.,  in  order  to  save  the  charter  of  the  ^Mount  Vernon 
&  Grap-ille  Railroad  Company,  now  consolidated  with,  and  fonnino- 
a  part  of  the  C.  &  I.  S.  Railroad,  and  also  to  the  Avork  on  the  Deca- 
tur, Sullivan  &  Mattoon  Railroad,  from  ]Mattoon  north  to  Decatur 
and  Sprino-field,  in  order  to  save  some  valuable  subscriptions  neces- 
saiy  to  build  that  road,  Avliich,  when  completed,  will  be  consolidated 
with  and  forai  a  part  of  the  C  &  I.  S-  R.  R.,  and  trive  it  two  impor- 
tant outlets,  one  to  Decatur,  another  to  Sprinirfi(>ld. 

For  the  certainty  of  success  in  all  <rreat  enterprises,  it  is  best 

until  everything  is  put  ujion  a  sure  footing,  to  make  haste  slowly 

and  we  do  not  doul^t  but  our  friends  along  the  middle  of  the  line  of 
the  C.  &  I.  S.  Railroad  begin  to  think  our  proirress  very  slow 
indeed.  But  they  nnist  be  patient,  and  in  good  time  they  will  see 
the  road  running  through  their  country  to  their  satisfaction.  Thev 
must  realize  that  to  build  a  railroad,  other  and  sometimes  more  labo- 
rious work  has  to  be  done  besides  shoveling  dirt,  building  bridires  and 
laying  track.  The  work  of  negotiating  the  securities,  getting  the 
iron,  fastenings,  and  rolling  stock  has  to  be  done,  and  to  that  end  all 
our  energies,  time  and  ability  are  now  directed,  with  excellent  pros- 
pects, we  are  happy  to  say,  of  early  success.  When  this  shall  have 
been  accomplished,  your  good  people  shall  have  no  cause  to  complain 
of  longer  delay.  We  shall  commence  work  from  ]Mattoon  south  to 
Prairie  City,  and  from  Olney  both  north  and  south.  We  expect  to 
have  the  D.,  S.  &  M.  road  finished  to  Decatur— 40  miles by  the  1st 


158  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUXTi'. 

ot  October.  It  is  now  nearly  comploted  to  Sullivan — 13  miles — with 
iron  laid,  and  the  iron  has  hcen  purchased  tor  the  whole  road  and  is 
MOW  being  rapidly  delivered. 

Your  people  should  luiderstand  that  it  is  as  important  to  them  to 
have  the  D.,  S.  &  M.  road  Ijuilt,  as  any  portion  of  the  C.  &  I.  S.  road, 
it  being  really  a  part  of  the  latter  road,  extending  it  to  Decatur  and 
Springfield,  where  it  will  connect  with  other  roads  extendnig  west 
and  to  the  north.  We  are  now  in  treaty  with  those  connecting  roads, 
so  as  to  make  the  C  &  I.  S.  Railroad  a  grand  trunk  line,  connecting 
Chicago  and  the  Northwest  with  the  South  by  an  almost  air  line. 

Our  engineers  are  now  surveying  the  road  from  Mattoon  to 
Prairie  City,  and  as  soon  as  it  is  finished  we  shall  put  it  under  con- 
tract for  early  completion. 

At  Olney  we  shall  commence  the  work  as  soon  as  we  have 
the  line  definitely  located  by  Col.  Andrews,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
road.  At  Mount  Vernon  we  have  five  miles  of  iron  laid  and  about 
five  more  gi'aded.  AVe  propose  to  contract  the  balance  of  the  work 
out  to  the  Wabash  River,  and  are  now  in  treaty  with  a  responsible 
contractor  to  do  the  work  and  finish  it  in  a  rapid  manner. 

We  have  purchased  four  locomotives.  Two  we  have  now  in  use, 
one  at  ]\Iattoon  and  one  at  Mount  Vernon,  and  two  ready  for  work 
upon  the  road  as  soon  as  needed.  Indeed,  everything  on  the  whole 
line  is  progressing  as  well  as  we  could  expect,  considering  the  diffi- 
culties we  have  had  to  encounter,  and  if  we  are  sIoav  in  reachinir  vour 
place,  we  are  none  the  less  sure — and  surety  is  what  is  most  desirable 
in  the  success  of  any  enterprise. 

We  have  kept  this  enterprise  intact  through  one  of  the  most  ^ 
disastrous  financial  storms  abroad  we  have  ever  known — occasioned 
by  the  French  and  German  war,  and  which  swept  many  other  more 
promising  railroad  enterprises  out  of  sight.  From  the  eft'ects  of  that 
storm,  confidence  in  railway  securities  is  just  recovering,  and  we 
hope  now  to  place  the  success  of  this  undertaking  on  a  permanent 
foundation. 

As  for  the  McCabe  claims  we  would  add — we  have  assumed  their 
paymcMit  and  they  will  lie  paid.  In  a  short  time  one  of  our  firm  will 
visit  your  city  and  arrange  the  matter  satisfactorily  to  all  parties 
concerned.  Very  trulv  vours,  J.  Edwix  Coxant. 

Notwithstanding  this  brave  talk,  the  word  of  promise  was  spoken 
to  the  ear  only  to  be  broken  to  the  heart.  The  consolidation  was 
effected  as  noted  above;  one  set  of  contractors  after  another  failed 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  159 

and  the  people  of  Cuinherland  County  began  to  despair,  and,  in 
August,  1874,  the  Democrat,  at  Prairie  City,  declared  that  "several 
contractors  have  been  awarded  the  contract  to  build  the  road,  only 
to  hold  it  as  a  matter  of  speculation,  and  allow  it  to  expire  by  limi- 
tation. Such  has  been  the  history  of  the  road  until  it  was  virtually 
killed,  or  tiiought  to  be  killed,  and  buried  under  the  act  of  tlie  direct- 
oi-s  consolidating  the  road  with  the  Mattoon  &  Decatur  road  under 
the  incorporate  name  of  the  Chicago  &  Illinois  Southern  Railroad 
Company.  This  act,  so  far  as  it  was  capable  of  doing  so,  assisted  by 
the  Cleveland  Iron  Company,  gave  the  enterprise  its  quietus,  and  its 
enemies  contidently  congratulated  themselves  that  this  time,  for  a 
certainty,  the  road  slept  quietly,  in  the  Tomb  of  Capulets,  that  sleep 
that  knows  no  waking,  and  at  once  commenced  administering  upon 
its  etfects." 

At  this  juncture,  Messrs.  Mclntires  &  Chapin,  of  Mattoon, 
began  proceedings  to  have  the  consolidation  set  aside  or  dissolved. 
A  suit  was  brought  in  the  Jasper  County  Court,  and  was  finally 
adjudicated  by  the  United  States  Court  for  the  Southern  District  ot 
Illinois,  on  May  5,  1876,  which  entered  a  decree  dissolving  the  com- 
bination. Work  was  at  once  pushed  upon  the  middle  sections,  and 
thirty  of  the  ninety-three  miles  proposed  were  graded. 

Cumberland  County  took  by  far  the  greater  interest  in  this  road 
than  any  other  that  has  touched  its  limits.  All  others  but  touch  the 
outer  edges  of  its  territory,  and  are  really  a  detriment  to  the  growth 
of  the  business  here;  drawing  trade  out  of  the  county  business  houses 
elsewhere.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  took  stock  to  the  amount  of 
$250  for  the  purpose  of  making  preliminary  surveys  in  1857.  In 
1866,  a  proposition  to  vote  a  subscription  of  $50,000  to  the  stock  of 
the  company  was  submitted  to  th(>  i)cople,  and  aflinned  by  the  elec- 
tion of  July  2S,  of  that  year.  The  condition  of  this  subscription  to 
the  "  Grayville  &  Mattoon  Railroad  Company "  was,  "  that  said 
company  shall  locate,  construct  and  equip  a  railroad  through  said 
county,  running  on  a  line  as  nearly  as  practicable  from  Mattoon,  in 
Coles  County,  to  Prairie  City,  in  Cumberland  County,  and  thence  to 
Grayville,  in  White  County."  For  this  subscription,  on  this  condi- 
tion, there  was  a  majority  of  384  votes,  and  in  September,  18()6,  the 
Board  ordered  "  that  as  soon  as  either  or  l)oth  of  said  roads  (Van- 
dalia  and  P.,  D.  &  E.,)  shall  in  all  tilings  comply  with  their  part  of 
the  obligations  or  contracts  accepted  by  said  Board  at  the  May 
special  term,  1M66,  then  by  these  presents,  the  Clerk  of  this  Board 
is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  said  bonds  in  strict  compliance  ivith  the 


UiO  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

contract  entered  into  ])y  said  Board  with  the  railroads  aforesaid,  as  is 
entered  of  record  in  this  office."  The  county,  throuirh  its  represent- 
ative, assented  to  all  the  consolidations,  but  stoutly  resisted  the  su£r- 
gestion  that  the  bonds  should  be  deposited  in  Terre  Haute,  in  trust 
with  some  person,  to  be  turned  over  to  the  railroad  authorities  when 
the  contract  was  satisfied.  There  was,  however,  a  diti'erence  in  judg- 
ment upon  the  subject  among  the  membei-s  of  the  Board,  and  it  is 
due  to  the  stout  resistance  of  H.  B.  Russell  that  the  county  did  not 
commit  this  fallacy.  In  Februaiy,  1877,  the  Clerk  was  instructed  to 
issue  the  bonds,  but,  inasmuch  as  tliev  needed  the  signature  of  the 
President  of  the  Board,  who  -was  at  this  time  H.  B.  Russell,  the 
whole  matter  w^as  delayed  by  his  refusal  to  siiifu  them.  He  was 
finally  deposed  from  his  position,  but  the  dilemma  was  only 
increased.  There  were  just  eight  men,  and  they  were  CAcnly  divided 
upon  the  subject;  the  candidate  for  the  vacancy,  too  modest  to  vote 
for  himself,  Avas  easily  defeated  by  the  deposed  faction.  Day  after 
day  the  fight  raged,  until  the  Board  gave  up  the  strugirle,  restored 
Ml'.  Russell,  and  left  the  bonds  unsigned.  In  July,  the  Board  unam- 
mousJy  rescinded  the  order  directing  the  issue  of  the  bonds. 

In  the  meanwdiile  the  "  railroad  came,"  and  was  noticed  by  the 
Democrat  as  follows:  "  On  Saturday,  the  23d  day  of  June,  1877,  the 
track-layers  on  the  Grayville  &  Mattoon  Railroad  laid  the  track 
across  the  street  leading  east  from  the  courthouse  in  our  city,  and 
engine  Xo.  8  run  up  into  the  street,  and  blew  a  long  blast  from  her 
whistle,  which  brought  a  large  number  of  our  citizens  to  the  road, 
accompanied  by  the  band  and  a  wagon-load  of  refreshments,  for  the 
purpose  of  expressing  their  thanks  to  the  contractors  and  laborei-s 
of  the  road  for  the  faithful  and  diligent  manner  they  have  pursued 
in  constructino-  the  road  to  this  })lace.  After  the  band  played  a 
piece,  Clinton  Woods,  from  the  top  of  the  engine  cab,  introduced 
Judge  Decius  to  the  crowd,  who,  in  a  very  ap[)ro[)riate  speech,  ex- 
tended the  thanks  of  the  citizens  of  Prairie  City  to  the  contractors 
and  laborers  of  the  road,  and  then  invited  them  to  partake  of  the 
i-efreshments  i)reparod  for  them.  Mr.  Wyith,  the  contractor  for  lay- 
ing iron,  mounted  thecal),  and  in  behalf  of  the  laborers  expressed 
thanks  for  the  kindly  manner  in  which  our  ])eople  had  received 
thcni.  jNIr.  Sinnnons  was  then  called  for,  and  nuide  his  appearance 
on  the  cab,  and  commenced  his  remarks  by  saying  that  speech- 
making  was  his  weakest  forte,  but  that  he  felt  like  thanking  our 
people  for  the  numner  in  which  they  had  been  received  by  them,  and 
stated  that  it  was  the  fii-st  demonstration  of  any  kind  they  had  met 


^.uudS.^ 


XJUL^X/l) 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  163 

with,  on  the  whole  line.  lie  then  tendered  the  tniin  to  the  erowd 
for  an  excursion  to  Greenup  and  back,  which  was  accepted,  and  a 
jollier  or  hapi)ier  coinpany  never  boarded  a  train  of  cars  than  the  one 
tliat  went  to  Greenup  on  the  lirst  train  that  ever  ran  into  Prairie  City." 

The  present  name  of  the  conii)any  arose  from  another  consoli- 
dation, or  rather  purchase.  The  Tekin,  Lincoln  &  Decatur  Railway 
Company  was  organized  under  a  charter  granted  in  1870,  and  the 
road  opened  from  Pekin  to  Decatur,  G7.1)  miles,  in  November,  1871, 
by  its  original  owners.  In  the  following  year  it  was  leased  to  the 
Toledo,  Wabash  &  \\^estern,  by  which  it  was  operated  until  August, 
187G,  when  it  Avassold  under  foreclosure  sale.  The  road  was  subse- 
quently extended  from  Pekin  to  Peoria,  a  distance  of  9.2  miles,  and 
opened  for  traffic  March  1,  1878.  This  company  then  purchased  the 
Decatur,  8ulli\'an  &  Mattoon,  and  the  Grayville  &,  Mattoon  roads, 
and  in  1880  reorganized  with  an  Indiana  organization,  under  its 
present  name.  The  southern  terminus  was  changed  to  Evansville, 
Ind.,  and  that  division  pushed  to  completion  in  June  of  the  follow- 
ing year.  The  road  from  Mattoon  to  Grayville  was  in  a  very  bad 
condition  when  sold,  and  so  much  poor  work  was  found  in  its  con- 
struction that  it  needed,  and  gradually  received,  rebuilding.  The 
road  has  been  of  great  advantage  to  the  county,  and  as  it  cost  no 
money  to  the  county  at  large,  there  is  but  little  room  for  grund)lino-. 
Sumpter  Township  sul)scribed  an  additional  $25,000,  and  paid  the 
amount  though  the  result  of  the  suit  against  the  county  demon- 
strates that  the  railroad  company  could  not  have  compelled  the  pay- 
ment on  the  contract. 

Danville,  01  net/  cH  Ohio  River  Railroad. — This  was  a  narrow- 
gauge  railroad,  the  projectoi-s  of  which  were  organized  into  a  com- 
pany, under  a  charter  granted  ]\Iarch  10,  1.SG9.  The  route  i)roposed 
for  the  road  started  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio  Kiver  in  Mas- 
sac County,  Illinois,  '>  thence  northwardly  to  the  city  of  Chicago,  or 
such  place  from  which  an  entrance  may  be  effected  by  construction 
or  connection,  and  the  line  of  railway  to  be  located  on  such  survey 
as  may  come  within  the  range  and  purview  of  the  charter  of  the 
company,  about  340  miles."  Work  was  begun  on  the  northern  end 
of  the  road  and  pushed  southward  from  Kansas,  in  Edgar  County. 
The  work  met  with  a  good  deal  of  delay.  In  187(!,  there  wjis  but 
eight  miles  of  road,  from  Westtield  to  Kansas,  and  in  1878  this  sec- 
tion of  the  road  Wius  put  in  operation.  The  further  construction  of 
the  road  made  slow  progress,  reaching  only  some  thirteen  miles  in 
the  following  year.     In  1881,  there  was  a  revival   of  the  work  and 

10 


1(;4  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

some  fifty-seven  miles  completed.  In  the  tblloAving  year  the  gauge 
was  chano-ed  to  standard  width  and  the  road  completed  to  Olney, 
thiLs  forming  a  link  between  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  road  on  the 
south  and  the  Indianai)olis  &  Saint  Louis  on  the  north.  This  line  of 
road  passes  through  the  eastern  portion  of  Crooked  Creek  Township, 
in  Cumberland  County,  and  has  a  station  at  Hazel  Dell.  The  town- 
ship voted  a  subscription  of  $18,000  to  the  road,  but  has  never  issued 
the  bonds.  The  railroad  company  has  instituted  legal  proceedings 
to  secure  an  order  from  the  com-t  compelling  the  township  to  issue 
the  necessary  bonds,  but  the  question  is  yet  at  issue.  The  township 
resists  upon  sev^eral  technical  grounds,  as  |well  as  a  failure  on  the 
part  of  the  company  to  perform  its  obligations  under  the  contract. 
The  result  is  likely  to  be  in  favor  of  the  township,  as  some  of  the 
points  have  been  adjudicated  in  other  courts  in  the  case  of  other 
counties  against  this  company. 

Toledo,  Cincinnati  S  Saint  Louis  Bailroad.—Thi^  is  a  link  in 
the  system  of  narrow-gauge  railroads,  which  is  destined  to  reach 
across  the  country  from  the  Rio  Grande  to  the  Ohio.  The  starting 
point  of  this  road  was  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  reach  the  southeastern 
coal  fields  of  that  State.  It  subsequently  was  extended  to  Toledo, 
Ohio,  and  then  from  Delphos,  Ohio,  extended  toward  Saint  Louis. 
Subsequently,  a  road  known  as  the  Cincinnati  Northern  Avas  built 
northward  from  Cincinnati  to  Lebanon,  and  united  with  the  Dayton 
road;  hence  the  name.  The  line  from^Paris  to  Saint  Louis  was  known 
as  the  Paris,  Neoga  &  Saint  Louis,  and  was  surveyed  in  October,  1872. 
Neoga  and  vicinity  raised  by  subscription  some  $(J0,000  to  aid  its 
construction,  but  it  was  not  until  1883  that  the  road  was  in  running 
order  to  East  S:iint  Louis.  This  road,  it  is  thought,  will  prove  a 
boon  to  Neoga,  as  it  has  been  powerless  in  the  grasping  administra- 
tion of  the  Central  Riilroad. 

With  five  railroads  crossing  the  territory  of  Cumberland  County, 
it  would  seem  that  its  citizens  ought  to  be  reasonably  satisfied  with 
its  achievement  in  this  direction,  but  while  they  have  cost  the  county 
but  little,  thoy  help  the  county  but  little.  About  1871  and  1872,  the 
Danville  &  (Miarleston  Railroad  was  projected,  to  run  to  Flora,  in 
Clay  County,  and  the  citizens  of  Cumberland  were  more  interested 
in  its  success  than  in  all  the  other  projects.  The  Democrat  voices 
the  public  finding,  in  1871,  as  follows  :  "  From  present  indications 
it  looks  very  much  like  the  Charleston  &  Danville  Railroad  will  be 
built,  the  City  of  Charleston  itself  having  subscribed  $200,000 
towar  Is  the  enterprise,  which  is  two-thirds  of  the  estimated  amount 


HlSTOliV    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTy.  .    165 

necessary  to  comi)lcte  the  road  ready  for  the  iron.  The  proposed 
terminus  of  the  road  is  Fh)ra,  in  Chiy  County,  at  which  phice  the 
road  will  connect  with  the  Paducah  &  Cairo  road.  If  you  will 
take  a  map  and  examine  it,  you  will  perceive  that  Charleston,  Prai- 
rie City  and  Flora  are  on  an  air  line,  and  if  this  road  is  built,  and 
runs  straight,  it  cannot  miss  us.  P^ncourasfinof  as  this  may  seem,  we 
cannot  expect  this  road  to  be  built  through  our  county  without  lay- 
inix  (>iii'  hands  to  the  work,  and  usinsf  our  means  to  brinij  about  its 
completion.  It  is  estimated  that  $l),UOO  per  mile  will  prepare  the 
road  for  the  iron,  and  as  it  is  about  sixteen  miles  across  the  county 
north  and  south,  it  would  cost  the  Townships  of  Cottonwood,  Sump- 
ter  and  Woodbury,  in  the  airoregate,  $1)0,000.  This  amount  may 
appear  formidable  and  look  like  a  difficult  sum  to  raise,  yet  it  can 
be  done;  where  there  is  a  will  there  is  always  a  way,  and  thousands 
of  dollars  could  be  obtained  in  the  way  of  labor,  ties,  teams,  etc.,  in 
the  construction  of  the  road  where  people  were  not  able  to  pay  a 
cash  subscription,  and  which  would  answer  every  purpose.  And 
when  we  look  at  the  importance  of  this  road  and  the  great  benefit 
it  would  be  to  our  farmers,  and,  in  fact,  to  the  entire  county,  the 
amount  is  insignificant  in  comparison.  By  this  road  we  at  once 
secure  a  direct  and  shorter  route  b}'^  seven  miles  ])y  the  way  of  Dan- 
ville to  Chicago  than  we  have  over  the  Central  by  the  wa}-^  of  Mat- 
toon,  and  at  the  same  time  force  the  Illinois  Central  into  competi- 
tion with  this  new  road* 

"  AVliile  we  do  not  wish  to  disparage  the  importance  of  the 
Moimt  Vernon  and  jNIattoon  road,  and  acknowledge  the  benefits  it 
will  confer,  and  ho[)e  to  see  its  early  completion, — we  regard  the 
Chicago,  Danville  &  Flora  road  much  the  more  im[)ortant  road  of 
the  two  to  Cumberland  County.  From  this  fact,  that  it  makes  com- 
peting lines  east  and  west,  of  the  T.  II.  &  V.  &  Saint  Louis,  the 
TeiTC  Haute  &  Alton,  and  the  Great  AVestern  roads,  and  north  and 
south  of  the  Illinois  Central,  giving  us  a  direct  connnunication  with 
all  the  great  markets  of  the  country,  and  will  enable  us  to  reach  Chi- 
cago without  being  robl)ed  and  plundered  by  the  Illinois  Central 
monopoly.  This  cannot  be  said  of  the  Mount  Vernon  &  Mattoon 
road,  from  the  fact  that  every  car-load  of  grain  shipped  over  that 
line  will  be  subject  to  the  control  and  tarill"  rates  of  that  grasping 
corporation,  and  they  will  virtually  control  our  road  and  dictate  its 
policy,  as  Vanderbilt  and  Fisk  dictate  the  policy  of  the  Eastern 
roads,  and  so  far  as  its  benefits  in  a  connnercial  point  of  view  are 
concerned,  they  will  never  amount  to  anything,     ^^'hat  our  farmers 


166  HISTORY    OF   CU3IBEULAND    COUNTY. 

antl  business  men  want  is  a  eliea})  and  direct  communication  Avith 
Cliicai^o  and  the  Eastern  markets,  and  this  we  secure  by  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Danville  &  Charleston  road,  and  without  it  we  are  at 
the  mercy  of  the  Illinois  Central  monopoly.  Some  persons  may 
argue  that  the  Fuller  liill,  passed  by  the  present  legislature,  regu- 
lates the  tarift"  rates  of  the  various  roads  of  the  State.  It  is,  how- 
ever, the  opinion  of  some  of  our  ablest  lawyere  that  the  2)rovisious 
of  this  bill  can  never  be  enforced  against  the  Central  road,  from 
the  fact  that  it  is  a  violation  of  vested  rights,  and  an  infringement 
of  the  provisions  of  the  charter  luider  which  the  Central  Com- 
pany Avas  incorporated,  and  not  a  matter  within  the  reach  of  a 
State  legislature.  If  this  vdew  of  the  matter  should  be  entertained 
by  the  Supreme  Coiu't,  then  even  with  the  Mount  Vernon  &  Mattoon 
road  completed,  our  fanuers  will  be  but  very  little  better  otf  than 
at  present,  from  the  fact  that  in  its  completion  we  gain  access  to  no 
important  commercial  points.  No  merchant  wishes  to  buy  his  stock 
of  goods  at  Mattoon,  Decatiu",  or  Pekin,  the  points  made  by  the 
Mount  Vernon  road,  neither  do  these  places  furnish  a  market  for 
grain  or  stock.  Then  we  ask,  aside  from  the  matter  of  convenience, 
what  do  we  gain  ?  Commercially,  we  gain  nothing.  AVe  are  still 
in  the  iron  grasp  of  the  blood  suckers  of  the  Illinois  CVntral,  who, 
every  farmer  too  well  knows,  have  for  years  levied  their  unholy 
tribute  upon  every  bushel  of  grain,  and  every  hoof  of  stock  raised  in 
this  coimtry  and  shipped  over  their  road.  And  that  they  have  set 
like  an  incubus  upon  the  industries  of  oin*  people,  and  weighed  down 
their  energies  with  their  unjust  and  outrageous  exactions.  AVe  must 
by  some  means  rid  the  people  of  Cumberland  County  of  this  oppress- 
ive burthen,  and  the  only  way  to  do  so.  since  this  Company  is 
beyond  legislative  reach,  is  to  build  competing  lines,  and  by  the 
force  of  competition  com})el  llieni  to  reduce  their  rates  to  a  fair 
standard.  This  oi)portunity  is  ottered  us  in  the  Chicago,  Danville 
&  Charleston  road,  and  it  only  reipiires  a  propei-  etlbrt  ni)on  the  i)art 
of  the  peoi)le  in  the  townships  through  which  this  road  will  pass  to 
immediately  secure  its  construction,  and  when  completed  it  will  be 
one  of  the  most  pr<)tital)l(^  and  im|)()rtant  roads  in  the  State,  and  will 
be  the  means  of  cU^vcloping  the  country  to  a  greater  extent  than  any 
of  the  roads  that  have  yet  been  built.  AVe  hope  our  citi/ens  will 
give  this  subject  due  consideration  and  act  with  energy  and  })rompt- 
ness  in  the  matter." 

This  is  the  feelinii:  iu  re<>ard  to  the  necessities  of  the  county  to- 
day,  and  the  Grand  C'ontinental  Railroad  projected  fnmi  Cincinnati 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  167 

and  Louisville  to  Omaha  has  attracted  a  great  interest  throughout 
the  county,  and  $H0()  has  been  raised  })y  private  subscription  to 
survey  the  line  tlirough  this  section.  The  line,  as  projected,  runs 
directly  from  its  western  terminus  to  Quincy,  111.;  from  thence  via 
Winchester,  Taylorville,  and  Toledo,  111.,  to  Sullivan,  Ind.  At  this 
point,  the  projected  line  has  two  branches,  the  one  direct  to  Cincin- 
nati and  the  other  to  Louisville.  The  prospects  of  this  road,  with 
reference  to  Cumberland  County  are  yet  very  indefinite,  but  are  the 
topic  of  considerable  discussion  and  newspaper  sensation. 

THE    PRESS   AND   POLITICS. 

The  newspaper  is  a  marked  outgrowth  of  the  social  develop- 
ment of  society.  When  once  grown  to  that  point  where  it  feels  the 
necessity  of  controlling  public  sentiment  and  uniting  it  upon  the 
various  common  interests,  the  community  calls  in  the  newspaper, 
and  through  its  agency  solidifies  its  ])ower.  It  was  in  response  to  some 
such  necessity  that  Daniel  ]Marks  established  the  Greenup  Tribune,  at 
the  village  of  Greemip,  in  1 855.  The  press  was  brought  overland  with 
an  ox-team  and  set  down  in  this  imfiedged  town,  long  before  the 
count}'  alone  could  give  it  a  leading  support.  The  proprietor 
•eno-aofcd  ]\Iatchett,  a  noted  '•  knioht  of  the  stick,"  and  gave  his 
attention  to  working  up  a  list.  He  made  his  excursions  on  foot,  and 
wandered  through  the;  counties  of  Jasper,  Etfingham,  Clark  and 
Cumberland,  soliciting  subscribers  to  this  pioneer  journal  of  civili- 
zation. He  seems  to  have  been  admirably  adapted  to  his  business, 
securing  a  considerable  list,  and  taking  as  payment  a  large  number 
of  coon-skins  and  anything  that  could  be  "swapped"  into  money. 
It  was  no  unusual  thing,  it  is  said,  to  find  the  larger  space  devoted 
to  his  office  occupied  with  these  peltries.  A  year  later,  Templeton 
<&  Bloomfield  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  paper,  and  con- 
ducted it  under  the  same  title  for  about  a  year,  when  they  removed 
it  to  Prairie  City,  from  whence  it  was  subseijuently  removed,  and  the 
eounty  was  without  a  "  voic(?  of  the  people  "  for  a  short  time.  In 
1859,  James  E.  Mumford  came  to  Greemii)  from  Ohio,  and  deter- 
mined to  found  a  paper,  and  on  December  2,  185!),  the  first  number 
of  the  Greenup  Expositor  was  published  to  the  peo[)le.  The  paper 
was  published  by  d.  E.  &  II.  P.  Mumford,  and  th(^  first  issue  was 
gotten  out  by  the  junior  member  of  the  firm.  In  the  first  number  he 
says:  "  It  will  ever  be  our  aim,  with  the  aid  of  a  sulficient  number 
of  passengers  aboard  of  our  bark,  in  the  way  of  subscril)ers,  to  not  l)e 
vainglorious  or  presumptuous — nor  to  dive  into  the  more  scientific 


168  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

researches  of  the  hidden  mysteries  of  luiture,  but  skim  alouij  upon  the 
surface  of  time,  noticinir  intermediate  events,  and  makino;  ourselves 
as  acceptable  as  possible,  and  as  annisinir  and  interesting  as  the  case 
will  permit.     We  wish  to  please  all  that  are  pleasable,  and  those 
who  have  a  moral  nature  can  always  tind   in  some  portion  of  our 
paper  enough  to  soothe  the  savage  and  make  merry  and  interesting 
the  scientific  feelings.     *     *     *     Our  paper  will  be  devoted,  princi- 
pally, to  news,  politics,  agriculture,  education,  and  mechanical  inter- 
ests, with  humorous  matter  enough  to  give  life  and  spice  to   all. 
*     *     *     As  to  the  political  character  of  the  Expositor,  we  would 
state,  in  order  that  everyone  may  rightly  knoAV  our  iiosition,  that  it 
will  be  Democratic  of  the  Douglas  stamp,  though  only  when  duty 
calls  will  it  be  ours  to  obey,  in  supporting  that  gentleman  for  the 
Presidency  in  1860.     *     *     *     As  to  the  local  ditiiculty  existing  in 
the  countv^  in  regard  to  the  county-seat,  it  will  be  ours  to  be  mum, 
and  to  print  a  paper  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  county— for  one 
place  as  well  as  another— and  shall  court  the  improvement  of  all." 
Under  another  caption,  the  editor  renuirks  :    "  We  intend,  upon  the 
return  of  our  l)rother,  J.  E.,  to  make  a  thorough  canvass  throughout 
the  county,  and  see  every  head  of  a  family,  and  all  the  pretty  girls, 
and  make  them  all  subscribers  to  the  Expositorr     With  such  good- 
natured  frankness,  it  would  have  been  remarkable  if  the  iniper  had 
not  made  friends.     The  paper  Avas  successful  from  the  first,  but  in 
1800,  the  ofiice  followed  the  star  of  empire  to  the  county-seat.    Here 
J.  E.  :Mumford  continued  the  paper  until  1807,  when  he  sold  out  and 
removed  to  Dan^■ille.     The  Expositor  was  continued  by  Flavins  Tos- 
sey,   and  the  name  changed  to  the  Cnmherland  Democrat.     Fraidc 
Bowen  succeeded  Tossey  as  proprietor,  and  pul)lished  it  until  Octo- 
ber 1,  1870,  when  the  establishment  was  sold  to  George   E.  Mason. 
The  paper  at  this  time  was  a  six-cohnnn  tVdio;    a  year  later  it  was 
enlarged  to  seven  columns,  and  8ei)tend)er  2il,  lH7;i.  W.  D.  ^Mumford 
was  associated  with  the  paper  as  junior  partner.    An  ofiice,  twenty  by 
fifty  feet,  was  erected,  a  No.  0  AVashington  Hoc,  and  Nonpareil  ,Iol)l)er 
]H-ess  added,  besides  some    100  fontN  of    type.      January  20.    1-^7'), 
Mason  retired  from  the  pap(>r.  dis|)osing  of  his  interest  to.  E.  (lor- 
rell,  and  tiie  firm  l)eeame  Mumford  tSc  Gorrell.     The  latter  disi)osed 

of  his  share  to  Mnndord,  in ,  who  continued  the  business  alone 

until  January,   1.S.S2,   when   Adolf  c^  Leon  Summerlin  became  pur- 
chasers, the  latter  now  being  sole  proprietor. 

In  1871  the  (ircciiiii)  .lA/Z/was  estal)lished  as  a  representative  of 
the  Rei)ublican  eb'inent  in  ixilitics.    Mr.  Pyle  founded  the  pai)er  and 


H18TOUY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


1(J9 


conducted  it  alone  for  some  three  nionths.wlion  he  took  a  Mr.  Davis 
as  partner,  under  the  tirni  name  of  Pyle  &  Davis.      Pyle  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Edward   Hitchcock,    Davis   was   succeeded  by  Cookerly, 
and   hiter    Mr.     Hitchcock    became    sole    proprietor.       The  paper 
was    subsequently    sold  to  Ozier   &    Cooper,    but   it    came    into 
possession  of  a  stock   company,  and    in    1874   followed   the   inevi- 
table current  of   things  to  the  county-seat.      Here  the  paper  was 
issued  as  the  BejmbI icon- Mail,  with  Hitchcock  as  editor.     The  plan 
of  the  company  was  to  lease  the  paper  by  the  year.      A  Mr.  Over- 
man succeeded  Hitchcock  about  a  year  later,   and    he  was  followed 
by  Henry  Woolen,  and  J.  &  A.  Caldwell,   of  whom  the  last  named 
continued  its  publication  until  February  18,  1881.      At  this  time  J. 
T.  Connor  liecanu^  a  partner   with  the   Caldwell  Brothers,  who  had 
purchased  most  of  the  stock.      This   firm  continued  only  some  six 
months.     Connor  withdrew,  as  the  other  partners  desired  to  give  the 
paper  a  reli<>ious  rather  than  a  political  character.     The  name  of  the 
paper  had  meanwhile  been  changed  to  the  Toledo  liqmbliccm,  and 
in  1882  sold  to  Henry  Woolen.      The  Caldwell  Brothers  went  to 
Indianapolis  to  conduct  a  paper,  as  an  organ   of  that  sect  of  relig- 
ionists who  "  profess  Holiness."     The  venture  did  not  turn  out  satis- 
factorily, and  in  a  month  or  two  they  returned  and  assumed  control 
of  the  RepuhJican,  and  proceeded   at  once  to  change  its  name  and 
character.     Its  successor  is   a    weekly   pamphlet  of  some  dozen  or 
twenty  pages,  called  the  Happy  Pilgrim,  Avhich   is  devoted  to  the 
sect  mentioned. 

In  1881,  the  Cumberland  Times  was  established  at  Greenup. 
Its  editor  and  proprietor,  W.  L.  Tobey,  was  on  his  way  seeking  a 
location  for  a  Repul)lican  paper,  when  h(5  was  referred  to  certain  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  this  village.  On  approaching  the  gentle- 
men  referred  to,  the  newspaper  man  received  but  little  encourage- 
ment, but  finally  meeting  a  gentleman  who  took  some  interest  in  the 
project,  some  $.5U0  worth  of  advertising  was  secured  and  the  first 
issue  sent  out  October  20,  1881.  The  paper  has  been  regularly  issued 
since  then,  and  is  well  established.  It  is  a  five-column  quarto, 
one-half  of  which  is  supplied  with  "auxiliary  print."  The  office  has 
a  good  patronage,  and  enjoys  the  otHcial  favor  this  year.  TheNeoga 
News  is  the  third  paper  in  the  county.  This  was  founded  in  1874  at 
Neoga,  by  S.  Z.  Bland,  an  cnteri)ri.sing  merchant  of  that  village.  It 
was  fii-st  issued  as  an  advertising  medium  of  the  proprietors  business, 
and  was  a  single  sheet  under  the  name  of  the  Neoga  Advertiser. 
In  the  early  part  of   the  following  year  the  [)aper  was   sold   to 


170  HISTORY   or   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

Allison  Brothers,  of  Mattoon,  who  transformed  it  into  a  six-column 
folio,  and  changed  the  name.  In  1876,  the  paper  was  sold  to  Messrs. 
Hancock  &  Kelly,  the  latter  retiring  about. a  year  later,  leaving  jVIi*. 
Hancock  the  sole  proprietor.  Deceml)er  25,  1882,  the  paper  was 
changed  to  a  six-column  quarto,  the  largest  paper  in  the  count}',  but 
with  only  two  pages  printed  at  home.  The  rest  of  the  matter  is 
supplied  by  the  auxiliary  print.  The  paper  is  Republican  in  politics, 
and  has  a  very  liberal  support  in  the  county. 

The  political  complexion  of  the  county  has  always  been  Demo- 
cratic. The  Whigs  were  represented  here  earl}^,  but  not  in  sufficient 
numbers  to  make  a  serious  struggle  for  the  election  of  candidates 
from  their  party.  There  was  a  constant  growth  in  the  relative 
strength  of  the  opposition,  until  1872,  when  taking  advantage 
of  the  partial  disaftection  in  the  ranks  of  the  ruling  party  here, 
A.  eT.  Lee  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  by  seven  votes,  over 
James  L.  Ryan.  In  1873,  the  Granger  movement  reached  its  climax, 
and  a  mixed  ticket  was  elected  over  the  regular  Democratic  ticket; 
A.  N.  Rosecrans  and  J.  W.  Miller,  Democrats,  and  T.  C  Kille  and  W. 
Humphrey,  Republicans,  being  elected.  The  offices  of  Sherift^  County 
Clerk,  Treasurer  and  County  Superintendent  are  now  filled  by  Repub- 
lican incumbents;  those  of  Circuit  Clerk,  County  Judge  and  State's 
Attorney,  by  Democratic.  The  Republican  element  in  politics  has 
gradually  grown  in  the  county,  so  that  on  purely  local  questions  the 
two  parties  are  about  evenly  made  up  of  the  voters  of  the  county. 
On  National  questions  the  Democratic  majority  is  about  200  votes- 
There  is  a  larije  floating  vote,  which  is  mainlv  diverted  to  the  ''  best 
man, "  though  it  also  allbrds  material  upon  which  the  unprincipled 
demagogue  plies  his  unholy  trade. 

CHURCHES. 

The  character  of  early  society  in  Cumberland  County  was  not 
such  as  to  encourage  the  rapid  growth  of  church  influences.  Many 
of  these  people  were  members  of  church  organizations,  but  there 
were  so  many  difficulties  in  the  way  of  maintaining  regular  services 
that  it  was  a  good  many  years  before  it  Avas  attempted.  Camp- 
meetings  were  held  as  early  as  1830,  and  scarcely  a  year  passed  with- 
out them.  These  were  princii)ally  under  the  auspices  of  the  Method- 
ist Church,  though  all  denominations  attended  and  gave  their  supi)ort. 
Among  the  early  settlers  there  was  (piite  a  strong  rresbytoriau 
element,  who  early  secured  the  services  of  Rev.  Hull  Towar,  a 
jNb'.  luxlist,  and  fomider  of  Jewett.    Among  the  other  early  preachers 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  171 

in  Cumberland  County,  were  George  Honson, Halfticre,  W.  E. 

Smith  and  William  Owens.     There  were  occasional  itinerants  of  the 
pioneer  order,  whose  manners  were  marked  more  by  force  than  ele- 
gance.    It  was  probably  of  one  of  these  that  the  following  incident 
is  related  as  happening  within  the  limits  of  this  county  :     In   the 
early  settlement  of  the  county  the  sacred  desk  of  the  minister  was 
often  supplied  from  the  humblest  walks  of  life.      And  it  was  not 
mifrequently  the  case,  that  these  impromptu  speakers,  made  telling 
points,  and  in  their  rude,  quaint  manner,  impressed  upon  the  minds 
of  sinners  the   great  danger  in  which  they  stood,  and  revealed  to 
their  startled  minds  the  frowning  face  of  offended  Deity.    But  one 
case  we  have  a  recollection  of,  in  which  the  minister  attempted  to 
draw  a  practical  illustration  of  the  various  Christian  Churches,  and 
as  the  sequel  will   show,   was  himself  disappointed   in   the  result. 
The   minister   in   question   resided   at   our   neighboring   town   of 
Greenup  (and  does  so  yet),  and  while  riding  to  the  place  of  wor- 
ship was  busily  conning  over  in  his  own  mind  the  subject  he  would 
select  to  speak  from  on  his  arrival  at  the  house  of  God,  and  Avhile 
passing  through  the  forest,  inadvertently  plucked  from  a  convenient 
twig  a  hazel  l>urr,  and  at  once  his  mind  was  made  up  as  to  the  sub- 
ject of  his  discourse.     Arriving  at  the  church,  he  ascended  the  pul- 
pit in   all  the  conscious  pride  of  one  inspired  to  speak  words  of 
truth  and  salvation  to  a  sinful  world.     Being  of  that  faith  known 
as  Christians,  or  Campbell ites,  he  was  over  eager  to  make  a  point 
in  behalf  of  the  doctrines  of  his  faith,  and  after  the  usual  prelimi- 
naries had  been  gone  through  with,  the  speaker  arose  and  opened 
his  discourse  in  a  self-possessed,  confident  manner,  by  stating  that 
there  were  a  great  many  creeds  and  doctrines  extant  in  the  world, 
and  that  theologians  were  as  far  apart  in  many  of  their  church 
forms  and  their  religious  beliefs  as  earth  was  from  heaven,  and  that 
all  could  not  be  right;  that  some  of  the  churches,  it  was  true, 
approximated  to  the  true  faith,  but  there  Avas  liut  one  church  that 
emln-aced  the  true  theory  and  practice  of  the  doctrines  inculcated 
by  the  Savior  of  mankind,  and  that  was  the  church  he  had  the 
honor  to  unworthily  represent.  "  For  instance,"  said  the  speaker  (at 
the  same  time  producing  his  hazel  burr),  "  this  hazel  burr  I  hold  in 
my  hand  represents  the  church.     "  This,"  says  he  ( tearing  off  the  burr 
from  the  nut)  "  represents  the  '  soft  shell '  Baptist,  a  mere  outer  gar- 
ment, fallilde,  easily  destroyed,  and  not  capal)l(>   of  resistance  or 
self-preservation — a  mere  nothing,  without  merit,  and  insignificant 
within  itself     The  next  substance  vou  discover."  said  the  speaker, 


172  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

"is  the  hull,  which  represents  the  'old  hard  shell'  Baptist,  and  is  ot 
a  more  durable  and  lastin<;  nature,  formed  by  nature  to  resist  to  a 
greater  extent  the  warrinof  of  the  elements,  and  the  corruption  of 
time,  yet  with  all  of  its  apparent  strength  and  beautiful  formation, 
it  is  onlv  another  g-arment  which  hides  from  your  view  the  true  and 
only  church  of  the  living  God.  Beneath  its  solid  walls  is  the  ker- 
nel, the  spirit  and  life  of  the  Christian  religion,  the  Christian 
Church  itself  ;  and  to  further  demonstrate  the  illustration,  and  lay 
bare  to  your  understanding  the  truth  of  mv  theorv,  I  will  remove 
the  shell  and  reveal  the  kernel,  which  is  the  Christian  Church,  to 
your  carnal  eyes."  And  the  speaker  proceeded  to  crack  the  nut, 
when,  to  his  consternation,  and  to  the  surprise  of  the  audience,  out 
rolled  a  hideous  black-headed  worm,  that  had  eaten  through  the  outer 
covering  of  the  "soft  shell "  Baptist,  pierced  the  solid  walls  of  the 
"  hard  shellf  and  entered  the  citadel  of  the  true  church,  devouring 
it  as  it  went.  The  speaker  was  nonplussed,  and  amid  the  surprise 
and  merriment  of  the  audience  the  meetino-  was  siumnarilv  closed, 
and  it  was  not  a  great  while  before  the  minister  also  closed  his 
ministerial  career,  and  devoted  himself  to  more  congenial  pursuits. 

The  first  church  buildino-  was  a  hewed  log  structure  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  Sumpter  Township.  This  was  long  known  as 
the  Salem  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  remarkal)le  for  its 
powerful  revivals.  It  was  built  about  1840,  and  ten  years  later  was 
the  only  church  in  the  county.  It  rotted  down,  and  was  only  removed 
in  1881  or  1882.  This  denomination  has  good  frame  churches  at 
Toledo,  Neoga,  Greenup,  Jewett,  Christian  Run,  8hiloh  and  Bethel. 
The  organization  at  Greenup  probably  dates  back  further  than  any 
other  in  the  county.  It  was  a  regular  station  iu  I83i),  and  Avas 
probably  organized  as  early  as  183.5.  An  old  log  schoolhouse  Avas 
used  as  a  i)lace  of  worship  for  years,  until,  in  1851,  the  ])resent 
frame  structure  was  erected.  The  Protestant  Methodists  have  a 
fine  brick  church  in  the  west  part  of  AVoodl)ury  Township,  known 
as  Zion  Chapel. 

Among  the  earlier  churches  built  was  the  Presbyterian  jilace 
of  worsiiip  at  Neoga  village,  in  1854.  This  was  organized  by  llev. 
Joseph  \\'ilson,  who  was  the  first  person  to  preach  in  the  village. 
This  organization  has  had  a  thrifty  growth,  and  numbers  some  130 
members.  This  denomination  had  a  consideral)le  membership  at 
Toledo,  and,  in  bSGd,  two  lots  Avere  donated  by  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors to  this  organization  for  a  building  site,  but  it  failed  to  use 
it.     The  Presbyterians  have  a  church,  also,  at  Greenup,  where  a 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  173 

neat  frame  church  buiklinc:  was  erected  about  1876.  The  Baptists 
have  an  org-anization  at  Xeoi^a,  where  they  built  a  ])hice  of  worship 
in  1872,  in  Xcoaa  Township,  in  connection  with  the  Christian 
denomination,  and  elsewhere  in  the  county. 

The  Christian  denomination  has  a  lar£:e  foUowing  in  the 
county.  Some  of  the  early  ministers  of  this  denomination  were 
Revs.  Thos.  Goodman,  Battye,  Wliite.  and  Bcnj.  Daree.  D.  S.  Conner 
was  also  an  early  itinerant  of  this  denomination.  This  denomina- 
tion has  only  been  noticeably  present  in  the  county  since  1860,  but 
it  has  organizations  now  at  Hazel  Dell,  which  has  a  frame  building 
ofitsoAvn;  at  Washington  schoolhouse,  in  Crooked  Creek  Town- 
ship; in  Union  Township;  in  the  eastern  part  of  Neoga  Township, 
where  a  frame  church  is  owned  jointly  with  the  Baptist;  Corinth 
Church,  frame  l)nilding  in  edge  of  Woodbury  Township;  at  Janes- 
ville,  which  worships  in  a  frame  church  of  its  own  ;  at  Webster 
schoolhouse,  in  Cottonwood  Township;  and  at  Plum  Grove  school- 
house,  in  Greenup  Township. 

The  Free  Methodists,  a  sect  better  known  as  the  "Perfection- 
ists," have  a  frame  church  at  Toledo,  erected  in  1888.  This  sect 
has  a  considerable  representation  in  the  county,  and  maintains  an 
energetic  crusade  in  behalf  of  their  doctrine.  A  large  tent,  known 
as  the  tabernacle,  is  moved  about  from  place  to  place  in  the  county, 
in  which  services  are  held. 

SCHOOLS. 

Schools  were  no  more  popular  than  churches  at  first.  Much  ot 
the  delay  must  be  accounted  for  on  the  ground  of  difiieulties  almost 
impossible  to  overcome,  but  early  schools,  above  all  other  consid- 
erations, recpiires  that  "  there  be  first  a  willing  mind."  There  was 
a  school  opened  as  early  as  1828,  just  north  of  the  county-line,  and 
children  attended  it  from  miles  around.  It  was  probably  1.S40 
before  one  was  built  in  Cumberland  County  territory.  This  was 
known  as  the  Owen  schoolhouse,  from  the  fact  that  Jephtha  Owen 
tauirht  singing-s'diool  here  several  seasons.  Among  the  early 
tea<-hers  in  the  county  was  Benjamin  Aleshire,  who  commenced 
about  this  time  and  taught  more  or  less  for  fifteen  years.  A.  J. 
Busick  was  an  early  teacher,  also  E.  H.  Starkweather.  The  latter 
was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  was  generally  known  as  a  "blue- 
bellied  Yankee."  He  taught  school  in  his  own  cabin  for  years. 
Greenup  had  a  very  early  schoolhouse,  perhaps  earlier  than  1.S40. 
It  also  had  the  first  brick  schoolhouse.     From  time  to  time,  the 


174  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

various  ueiofhborhoods  erected  buildings  for  thoir  schools,  and  in 
ItSoO  there  were  seventeen  in  the  county.  From  the  reports  are 
gathered  the  following  statistics,  which  indicate  the  growth  of  this 
factor  in  the  county's  development:  In  1H67,  there  were  12  school 
houses,  and  4  ncAV  ones  built;  4,192  pupils  enrolled,  and  $22,475.19 
expended  for  school  purposes.  In  1871,  the  statistics  were,  7(5 
schoolhouses,  and  8  new  ones;  5,293  pupils,  and  $21,406.65  expended. 

1872,  76  old  and  3  new  houses;  5,610  pupils,  and  $24,289.09  expended. 

1873,  77  old  and  3  new  houses;  4,234 pupils,  and  $25,331.10  expended. 

1874,  S2  old  and  2  new  houses;  3,827  pupils,  and  $21,330.03  expended. 
1877,  85  old  and  5  new  houses;  4,198  pupils,  and $21,800.91  expended; 
estimated  value  of  school  property,  $39,881.  1878,  87  old  and  5  new 
houses;  5,060,  pupils,  and  $24,501.14  expended;  property  valued  at 
$38,923.  1879,  76  old  and  no  new  buildings;  3,849  pupils,  and  $23,- 
882.76  expended;  value,  $31,879.50. 

1880,  86  old  and  2  new  houses;  4,406  pupils  and  $23,059.62:  value  of  property,  §31,844 
1881,87    "     "    3     "        "        5,525     "         "      20,732.24;       "  "  37,955 

1882,86    "     "    5     "        "        3,906     "        "      28,650.90;       "  "  40,944 

1883,73   "     "    3     "        "        3,931     "        "      28,722.92;       "  "  47,567 

In  the  matter  of  improvement  of  Iniildings,  the  reports  show 
that  in  1873,  there  were  3  brick,  59  frame  and  16  log  schoolhouses 
in  the  county.  In  1874,  2  brick,  GG  frame  and  14  log;  1877,  3  brick, 
67  frame,  13  log;  1878,  5  brick,  66  frame,  14  log  ;  1879,  5  brick, 
65  frame,  16  log;  1880,  6  brick,  66  frame.  14  log;  1881,  5  brick,  70 
frame,  12  log;  1882,  7  brick,  70  frame,  9  log;  1883,  7  brick,  60  frame, 
6  log.  In  regard  to  these  statistics  it  should  be  said  that  they  are 
compiled  from  the  Township  Treasurer's  reports,  by  the  County 
Superintendent  of  Schools.  There  are  some  inconsistencies,  Avhich 
will  be  readily  discovered,  l)ut  they  will  serve  to  show  a})proxi- 
matcly  how  the  school  interest  has  progressed.  There  are  graded 
schools  in  Toledo,  Greenup,  Jewett  and  Neoga.  The  school  at  the 
county-seat  occupied  for  nearly  twenty  years  a  two-story  frame 
building,  which  is  now  doing  service  as  a  dwelling.  In  1881,  the 
present  l)rick  structure  was  erected.  It  has  four  rooms,  but  the 
school  now  has  but  three  departments.  At  Neoga,  a  two-story 
frame  l)iiiI(liMg  was  erected  in  1867,  and  two  years  later  a  wing  was 
addcil.  furnisliiiig  four  schoolrooms.  In  is?;),  a  two-story  brick 
l)nil(ling  was  erected  at  (Ireenup,  which  siippru'd  two  schoolrooms 
below, and  one  above.  The  latter  is  so  arranged  that  a  partition 
may  be  nuuk'  up  stairs,  and  so  provide  an  additional  room  when 
neccssar\ .     At  Jewett,  a  two-storv  brick  house  was  built  in  1882, 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  175 

and  has  two  schoolrooms.  A  two-story  brick  building  is  also  in 
process  of  building  at  Janosvillc,  within  the  limits  of  the  county. 
A  greater  liberality  is  being  shown  l>y  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  in 
this  puldic  (question  of  education,  and  sixty  days  for  office  work  and 
sixty  for  school  visiting  have  been  allowed  to  the  County  Superin- 
tendent. This  is  sixty  days  more  than  has  ever  been  allowed  here- 
tofore, and  hence  the  schools  sufiered  very  seriously.  Since  the 
present  incumbent  has  held  the  office  of  Superintendent,  there  has 
been  a  marked  im[)rovement  in  the  grade  of  scholarship,  and  the 
movement  seems  to  be  toward  a  still  higher  grade. 

SECRET   ORGANIZATIONS. 

The  great  benevolent  societies  have  representative  lodges  in 
all  of  the  principal  villages  of  the  county.     At  Neoga,  the  Masonic 
Order  is  represented  Ijy  Xcoga  Lodge,  No.  279,  with  seventy  mem- 
bers.    This  lodge  meets  in  a  pleasant  hall  once  a  mouth,  and  is  in  a 
flourishing  financial  condition.    The  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fel- 
lows has  a  representative  in  Xeoga  Lodge,  No.  347,  of  about  forty 
members.      The    insurance    organizations,  Knights  of  Honor   and 
American  Legion  of  Honor,  have  each  a  flourishing  lodge  here.    At 
Toledo,  the  Order  of  Free  and  Accepted  jNIasons  has  a  lodge,  organ- 
ized October,  18(38.     It  is  known  as  Prairie  City  Lodge,  No.  578, 
and  has  some  forty  or  fifty  members.     There  is  also  a  Chapter  of 
the  Eastern  Star,  Prairie  City  Lodge,  Xo.  179.     The  Toledo  Lodge, 
No.  35.5,  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  also  finds  a  home  here. 
It  was  organized  in  18(58,  and  now  has  forty  members.     This  Order 
is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  owns  the  hall  it  meets  in,  valued 
at  some  $500.    At  Greeiuip  are  lodges  of  both  the  great  fraternities. 
Greenup  Lodge,  No.  125,  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  was  char- 
tered October  3,  1853,  with  Thomas  Coulson,  Charles  Nisewanger 
and  S.  W.  Hufl'cut.     The  lodge  has  increased  to  twenty-two  mem- 
bers.     The  lodgeroom  is  in  the  old  building  on  the  west  end  of 
Main  Street,  where  the   first  meetings  were  held  thirty  years  ago. 
Some  twelve  years  ago,  the  lodge  occupied  a  more  modern  building, 
but  being  burned  out,  it  returned  to  the  old  building.     A  lodge  of 
the  Eastern  Star  was  chartered  here  November  13,  1873,  with  Lucy 
P.  Nisewanger,  Ann  M.  Quinn,  Elizabeth  Jones,  Sarah  Ewart,  Esther 
B.  Tutewiler,  Isabella  H.  Monohon,  Sarah  J.  Shull,  Martha  J.  Mark- 
well,  Martha  E.  Starbuck,  X^ancy  Jones,  Mary  J.  Lee  and  others,  as 
charter  members.     Atalanta  Lodge,  No.   116,  of  the   Independent 
Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  was  chartered  here  October  14,  1853.     The 


176  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

charter  members  were  James  Ewart,  Philip  A^''()lcheimer,  Warren 
Covell,  S.  M.  Smith.  B.  C  Talbott  and  A.  X.  Ward.  The  lodge 
meets  in  the  same  buikling  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  own  it  in 
company  with  that  fraternity.  The  lodge  is  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion, and  has  forty-four  members. 

CUMBERLAND    COUNTY's    WAR    RECORD. 

The  people  of  Cumberland  County  were  noted  for  their  fighting 
qualities,  from  a  very  early  day  up  to  a  date  subsequent  to  the  war 
of  the  rebellion,  and  had  that  great  contest  been  decided  by  a  resort 
to  fists,  this  re<riou  of  the  country  would  have  contributed  some  of 
the  most  noted  champions  in  the  field.      It  was  not  until  the  era  of 
the  war  that  weapons   began  to   be   freely  used   here,  in  personal 
encounters,  and  hence,  while  Cumberland  County  contributed  her 
quota  to  the  armies  of  the  North  during  the  years  1860-(35,  there  was 
nothing  to  distinguish  this  section  from  the  great  mass  of  the  loyal 
North.     The  people  here  were  largely  "  Douglas  Democrats,"  and 
intimately  acquainted  Avith  Lincoln.     He  had  practiced  law  in  the 
County  Courts,  a  large  number  of  his  relatives  were  residents  here 
and  in  the  adjoining  County  of  Coles,  and  he  numbered  among  the 
leading  men  of  Cumberland  some  ot  his  most  intimate  friends.    The 
political  events,  therefore,  that  led  to  the  fatal  issue  of  the  war, 
were  full  of  interest  to  the  people  of  Cumberland,  and,  while  their 
sympathies  Avere  principally  with  the  "  Little  Giant,"  their  belief  in 
"  State  sovereignty  "  and  the  constitution  as  the  supreme  law  of  the 
land,  made  them  supporters  of  the  result  of  the  election  of  18G0. 
The  menacing  attitude  taken  by  the  South  up  to  the  commission  of 
overt  acts  of  rebellion  was  not  generally  condemned,  as  there  was 
a  strong   opposition   to   anything   like  abolition   or  coercion;  but 
when  the  echoes  of  the  attack  on  Sumter  reached  here,  the  rallying 
to  the  support  of  the  Union  was  practically  unanimous.     Prejudices 
in  regard  to  negroes,  in  regard  to  candidates,  or  any  of  the  agitating 
questions  of  the  hour,  were  forgotten,  and  every  man  and  party  was 
for  the  Union.     Political  lines,  however,  were  strictly  maintained, 
and  Seymour  and  MeClellan  received  the  full  party  vote,  notwith- 
st^mding  the  significance  of  their  election.     As  the  war  progressed, 
other  elements  entered  into  the  situation  here,  and  embittered  the 
feeling  between  the  political  parties.     Hot-headed  men  of  both  polit- 
ical elements  came  together  at  public  meetings,  with  fin-loughed  or 
returned  soldiers  on  one  side,  and  desertei*s  on  the  other,  and  a  num- 
ber  of  fatal    encounters    occurred.      There    is    no    evidence    that 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  177 

desertions  were  encouraged  by  the  people  here,  but  there  was  no  effort 
made  to  o-ive  them  up,  when  once  here,  to  the  authorities.  A  natu- 
ral suijirestion  of  the  reason  would  be,  that  these  persons  were  not 
likely  to  submit  quietly  to  arrest,  and  the  people  had  not  the  cour- 
age of  their  convictions  sufficiently  to  feel  prepared  to  shoot  old 
acquaintances,  or  be  shot  l)y  them.  The  county  gained  a  somewhat 
unenviable  reputation  on  this  account,  and  rumors  of  a  premeditated 
attack  on  the  county-seat  by  returned  soldiers  were  common.  After 
the  unfortunate  riot  at  Charleston,  in  Coles  County,  the  citizens 
here  were  in  a  fever  of  expectation,  and  several  times  the  people 
came  rushing  in  from  the  country  around  to  defend  the  county-seat 
from  an  imagined  assault. 

On  the  call  of  the  Governor  for  the  organization  of  six  regi- 
ments, there  was  not  the  spontaneous  enthusiasm  evinced  here  as  in 
many  sections.  While  generally  in  favor  of  the  maintenance  of  the 
Union,  the  prevailing  sentiment  was  opposed  to  the  war  as  a  specific 
means  to  that  end,  and  many  who  were  moved  otherwise  went  to 
other  places  to  offer  their  services  to  the  General  Government,  and 
some  250  men  enlisted  in  various  organizations  and  were  credited 
elsewhere  than  Cumberland  County.  In  18l)2,  Hon.  Thos.  Brewer 
became  (as  his  Democratic  colleagues  express  it)  "  rather  shaky  in 
his  Democracy  under  this  strain,"  and  took  an  active  part  in  encour- 
aging the  enlistments,  making  speeches  in  all  parts  of  the  county. 
It  was  about  this  time  that  the  larger  number  of  volunteers  began 
to  be  enrolled,  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Infantry  being 
raised  at  this  time.  The  Twenty-First  Infantry,  raised  in  18()1,  how- 
ever, received  a  full  company  from  Cumberland. 

In  June,  1861,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  appointed  a  committee 
of  one  from  each  toAvnship  "  to  see  to  the  wants  and  procure  such 
necessaries  as,  in  their  judgment,  shall  conduce  to  the  sustenance  and 
support  of  the  families  of  the  absent  volunteers."  This  provision, 
generous  in  its  terms  and  boundless  in  its  limits,  suggests  an  appre- 
ciative regard  for  the  soldier  and  his  sacrifices,  but  the  records  of 
the  county  and  State  nowhere  show  that  this  provision  went  fur- 
ther than  the  records  of  the  county,  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  in  the 
juilgment  of  the  larger  part  of  this  committee,  nothing  was  neces- 
sary ''to  conduce  to  the  sustenance  and  supi)ort  of  the  families  of 
absent  volunteers."  In  February,  1865,  the  Board  offered  a  bounty 
of  $400  for  each  person  "  that  may  volunteer  in  the  United  States 
service  to  fill  the  quota  of  Cumberland  County  in  the  draft  now 
ordered  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and   that  for  that 


178  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

purpose  the  Boiird  issue  county  orders  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  volunteers  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  several  towns  in  said 
county,  and  that  this  Board  levy  a  tax  of  $1  upon  each  $100 
of  valuation  of  taxable  property  in  said  county,  and  $1  cap- 
itiition  tax  on  all  males  between  the  ages  of  twenty-one  and  sixty." 
It  was  further  provided  that  bonds  should  be  specially  issued  to  meet 
the  orders  issued  for  this  purpose.  But  all  this  elaborate  machinery 
was  destined  to  be  brought  to  naught.  The  public  sentiment 
rebelled,  and  it  is  said  that  threats  of  hanging  the  members  were 
made  with  sufficient  earnestness  to  secure  the  rescinding  of  the  order 
at  the  next  meeting.  Xo  bounty  was  paid  by  the  county,  but  under 
this  call  Union  Townshij)  sent  sixteen  substitutes  to  the  field  at  a 
cost  of  Slj,500,  and  Sumpter  Township  sent  two  at  a  cost  of  $800. 
The  Adjutant  General's  report  gives  the  total  expenditure  of  the 
county  for  the  procurement  of  volunteers  at  $8,151.25.  The  same 
report  gives  the  summary  of  the  quotas  and  credits  of  the  county  as 
follows:  Population  in  1860,  8,30!>.  First  and  second  class  enroll- 
ment in  1863,  903;  in  1864,  985;  in  1865,  906.  Quotas  in  1861,  233; 
in  1862,  159;  under  call  of  February  1  and  March  14,  1864,  203; 
under  the  call  of  July  18,  1864,  154;  a  total  of  749.  The  total  credits, 
prior  to  December  31,  1864,  were  880  men,  which  made  an  excess  of 
credit  of  131  men.  In  December,  1865,  the  quota  of  the  county  was 
169,  but  diminished  by  the  excess  of  credit,  the  actual  assigned  quota 
was  only  38.  The  credit  under  this  last  report  was  40,  leaving  an 
excess  of  2  of  credit,  in  a  total  quota  during  the  war,  of  918,  and  credit 
of  920;  so  that  it  appears  that  Cumbsrland  County  contril)uted 
somethinof  more  than  a  full  reainient  to  the  Union  armies  during 
the  years  1861-65. 

These  men  cannot  all  be  traced  through  the  records,  but  in  num- 
bers of  from  5  to  20,  they  are  found  in  Company  E,  Twenty-Fifth 
Infantry;  Com])any  E,  Thirtj^-Eighth  Infantry;  Company  G,  Fifty- 
Fourth  Infantry;  Companies  Fand  II,  Sixty-First  Infantry;  Company 
C,  Sixty-Second  Infantry;  in  the  Sixty-Third  Infantry,  in  several 
com})anies;  C'ompany  E,  Sixty-Sixth  Infantry;  Company  C,  Sixty- 
Eighth  Infantry;  Company  E,  Seventy-First  Infantry:  C-ompany  B, 
Eighty-Eighth  Infantry;  Companies  I  and  E,  Ninety-Eighth  Infantry; 
Comjjany  K,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Third  Infantry,  and  Company 
G,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Second  Infantry;  beside  in  larger  mnu- 
bers  in  the  Twenty-First,  Fifty-Ninth,  Ninety-Seventh,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Third,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Fifth  Illinois  Infantry 
Kegiments,  and  the  Fifth  and  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry  Kegiments. 


vT  >o%0^c.<v^^-t/'?^— 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  181 

Twentij- First  Ulimis  Infan(nj.—Com\Miuy  B,  of  this  rogiinent, 
WHS  principally  made  up  from  Cmnbt'ilaud  County  voluntcei-s,  a  few 
momher.s  only  t'omin<>-  from  Coles  County.  The  officers  of  the  Com- 
pany were:  Captain,  J.  P.  H.  Stevenson,  till  18G3;  P.  AVolsheimer, 
till  Mareh,  18().");  Austin  Blake,  till  mustered  out.  First  Lieutenant, 
P.  Wolsheimer,  till  promoted;  C  L.  Smcidell,  till  I^IJH;  Austin 
Blake,  from  April  to  August,  18G3;  II.  A.  Ashmore,  till  mustered 
out.  Second  Lieutenant,  C.  L.  Smeidell,^Iay,  IHlil,  till  March,  18G3; 
Austin  Blake,  from  .Mtirch  19  till  April  27,  18153;  A.  Y.  Hart,  April, 
1863,  to  Ssptember,  18(j4;  O.  Goodin,  till  mustered  out.  The  regi- 
ment was  oraanized  in  the  Seventh  Congressional  District,  and  ren- 
dezvoused  at  iSIattoon.  On  the  loth  of  ^lay  it  was  mustered  into 
the  State  service,  for  thirty  days,  ])ut  on  the  28th  of  June  it  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  for  three  years,  with  U.  S. 
Grant  as  Colonel.  August  G,  18151,  Col.  Grant  was  commissioned 
Brigadier-General,  and  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  regiment 
by  Lieut. -Col.  J.  AV.  S.  Alexander,  who  Avas  killed  at  Cliickamauga. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  18i51,  the  regiment  marched  for  Missouri, 
an  innovation  in  the  usual  plan  of  moving  troops  out  of  the  State. 
Arriving  at  ^Mexico,  ]\Io.,  after  various  experiences  which  savored  of 
war,  but  without  meeting  an  enemy,  the  regiment  rested  for  two 
weeks,  when  it  proceeded  by  rail  to  Ironton,  Mo.  Here  the  Twenty- 
First  remained  until  Octobsr  20,  Avhen  it  marched  out  and  partici- 
pated in  the  fight  at  Fredericktown,  returning  after  the  engagement 
to  Ironton,  where  the  regiment  remained  until  the  latter  part  of 
January,  18l52.  At  this  time  it  formed  a  part  of  Gen.  Steele's  force, 
which  marched  on  Jacksonport,  Ark.,  but  here  it  was  ordered  to 
Corinth,  via  Cape  Girardeau,  and  reached  Hamburg  L'.inding  May 
24,  18112.  On  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  the  Twenty-First  was  placed 
in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy,  whom  it  followed  as  tar  as 
Booneville,  Miss.,  when  it  returned  and  formed  a  part  of  the  expe- 
dition to  Holly  Springs.  On  the  14th  of  August,  18(52,  the  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  join  Gen.  Buell's  army  in  Tennessee,  and,  march- 
ing via  Eastport,  Miss.,  Columbia,  Tenn.,  Florence,  Ala.,  Franklin, 
Murfreesboro  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  it  arrived  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
September  27,  18G2.  In  the  ensuing  campaign  against' Bragg,  the 
Twenty-First  bore  an  honorable  part,  engaging  in  the  battles  of  Per- 
ryville  and  Champlin  Hill,  Company  F  being  the  first  to  enter  Per- 
ry vi  lie.  From  thence  the  regiment  marched  to  Crab  Tree  Orchard, 
and  Bowling  Green,  in  Kentucky,  and  thence  to  Nashville,  Tenn. 

On  the  movement  of  the  army  from  Nashville,  in  D^^ceniber, 

11 


182  HISTORY    OF    CUMBEKLAXD    COUNTY. 

1862,  this  "reofimeiit  formed  a  part  of  the  Second  Brisrado,  First 
Division,  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and  Avas  in  the  skirmish  at  Knob 
Graj).  On  the  oOth  of  the  month,  the  Twenty-Sixth,  in  company  with 
the  Fifteentli  Wisconsin,  Thirty-Eisfhth  Illinois,  and  One  Hundred 
and  First  Ohio,  had  a  severe  engao-ement  with  the  enemy  near  Mur- 
freesboro,  where  it  charo^ed  the  famous  rebel  "  Washinofton  Lisfht 
Artillery,"  twelve  Parrott  guns,  and  succeeded  in  driving  every  man 
from  the  battery,  when  it  was  compelled  to  fall  back  by  the  advance 
of  a  division  of  infantry.  During  this  battle  this  rciriment  had 
a  fierce  struggle  and  did  gallant  duty,  losing  more  men  than  any 
other  rco-iment  engasred.  From  ]Murfreesboro  to  Chattanoosfa,  the 
Twenty-First  was  with  Rosecrans'  army,  and  took  part  in  the  skir- 
mish at  Liberty  Gap,  and  subsequently  in  the  great  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  where  it  lost  238  officers  and  men.  After  the  latter  fight, 
the  regiment  was  attached  to  the  First  Brigade,  Fourth  Division, 
Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  remained  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  till  the  lat- 
ter part  of  1803.  The  regiment  was  subsequently  ordered  to  Texas, 
where  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  and  finally  discharged  at 
Camp  Butler,  January  18,  1866. 

From  .the  publication  of  the  society  of  the  regiment,  in  1881, 
the  casualties  of  Company  B  are  given,  as  follows:  Allison,  Lewis 
F.,  died  at  Andersonville  Prison,  June  24,  18(U;  Ashmore,  Thos.  J., 
killed  at  Stone  River,  December  30,  18(32;  Ashmore,  elohn  H.,  killed  at 
Stone  River,  December  31,  18l)2;  Ashmore,  Ilezckiah  A.,  died  at  Oak- 
land, 111.,  date  unknown  ;  Akers,  Albertis,  died  at ,  III.,  date 

unknown;  Buchanan,  Wni.  W.,  died  at  Neoga,  III.,  18155;  Benge,  Linvis 
F.,  died,  place  and  date  unknown  ;Brannon, Thos.  II.,diedatXeoga,  111., 
1<S78;  Compton,  \Vm.  IL,  died  at  Andersonville  Prison,  November  IH, 
18()4;  Collins,  John  G.,  died  in  Wisconsin,  date  unknown;  Dodds, 
Thos.  IL,  diedat  Ironton,  Mo.,  October  1(),  18l31;  Devers,  Geo.W.,  died 
at  Andersonville  Prison,  April  18,  18l)4;  Furguson,  Wm.  E.,  killed  at 
8tone  River,  December  31,  18l>2;  Gordon,  Allen,  died  at  Charleston, 
III.;  (filliard,  Leander,  died  in  Coles  County,  III.;  He  lge,AV'esley,  died 
of  wounds,  at  Stone  River,  January  11,  18l)3;TIoward,  Samuel,  died  in 
Cumberland  ('ounty.  III.,  1877;  Kensell,  Wm.,  killed  at  Stone  River, 
Decembc^r  31, 18(52;  Kensell,  Ephraim,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo., 'November 
.'),1H(;1 ;  Kisc.  E  Iward,  diedat  Watseka, 111., dale  unknown;  Lake,  John, 
dii^d  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  date  unknown;  Lake,  An  Irew  ,!.,  died  since 
discharge;  Lewis,  d oh nW.,  die  1  of  wounds,  at  Stone  River,  February  8, 
1S:;3;  Miller,  Hiram  C,  died  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  18  52;  Maynard,  Jno., 
die  1  of  wounds,  at  Nashville,  Teiin.,  February  2^,  18<53;  McCormack, 


HISTOKY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  183 

Huy-li,  died  in  Rebel  Prison,  Danville,  Va.;  ^lottat,  James  M.,  killed 
at  Chiekaniaiiira,  September  20,  18(18;  Potter,  Francis  M.,  died  at  Iron- 
ton,  Mo.,  date  nnknown;  Rnssell,  Sanmel  D.,  died  at  Niles,  Cal.,  date 
unknown;  Rodfern,  John  II.,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  31,  18()2; 
Robinson,  Thomas,  died  of  wounds  at  Stone  River,  February  13,  18()3; 
Rawsey,  John  C.,  died  at  Andersonville  Prison,  May  10,  18(54;  Ross, 
Henry, dicil  in  Illinois,  place anddate  unknown;  Rhodes,  Jacol)  E.,  died 
at  Corinth,  Mi.ss.,  September  27, 18152;  Rhodes,  Franklin,  died  in  Coles 
County,  111.,  date  unknown;  Sell,  James,  died  at  Bntlalo,  Kan.,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1878;  Tefft,  Jerome,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  October  17,  18(51; 
Williams,  Daniel,  died  May  4,  18(54;  Wharton,  Henry,  died  in  Illinois, 
place  and  date  unknown;  West,  David,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
December  23,  18(53;  Willson,  Thomas  J.,  died  since  discharge.  The 
surviving  members  were  reported  at  the  same  time,  as  follows:  Cap- 
tixm  P.  Wolsheimor,  Xeoga,  111.,  Postmaster  ;  Captain  Austin  Blake, 
Thayer,  Kas.,  farmer;  Second  Lieutenant  A.  Y.  Hart,  Paradise,  111., 
carpenter;  Allil)ack,  Joseph  R.,  Xew  York  City,  commercial  agent; 
Berry,  W.  N.,  ^NLijority  Point,  111.,  farmer;  Bemer,  Chris.,  Brushy 
Fork,  111.;  Curtis,  Thos.  H.,'  Lovington,  111.,  shoe-maker  ;  Cnrtis, 
Edward,  Tuscola,  111.,  painter;  Condit,  Jacob  IL,  Xeoga,  III.,  farmer; 
Clark,  AVilliam,  Grreat  Bend,  Kas.,  farmer  ;  Clark,  Fred.  L.,  Great 
Bend,  Kas.,  farmer;  Cain,  John  G.,  Xashville,  Tenn.,  R.  R.  postal 
clerk;  Eggers,  George,  M;ijority  Point,  III.,  farmer;  Elliott,  Aaron, 
Ironton,  Mo.;  Ewing,  M.  A.,  Xeoga,  III.,  mechanic;  Forcum,  John  E., 
Xeoga,  111.,  farmer;  Filson,  James,  Mattoon,  III.,  laborer;  Gordon, 
Robert  S.,  Mount  Carmel,  111.,  druggist  ;  Goodwin,  Orville  S.,  Bell 
Air,  III.,  farmer;  Hendrix,  Samuel,  Paradise,  111.,  tarmer;  Hoover, 
Samuel  X.,  Xenia,  III.,  farmer;  Hacket,,  Charles  R,,  Great  Bend, 
Kas.,  farmer;  Hart,  Chesterfield,  White's  Mill,  Ky.,  farmer;  Ililder- 
brandt,  Francis,  southeast  corner  Twenty- Fi  ftli  Street  and  Cass  Ave- 
nue, Saint  Louis,  tailor;  Jones,  Wiley,  Jolmstown,  III.,  farmer;  Kim- 
ery,  Alfred  W.,  Xeoga,  III.,  farmer;  Kiger,  George  W.,  Whitley's 
Point,  III.,  farmer;  Landsdown,  Marion,  Oakland,  III.,  artist;  Lands- 
down,  James    E.,  Oakland,    111.,  farmer;    Martin,  James,  Carlton, 

Neb.,  farmer;  ^Mnndell,  Rol)ert, ,  Kas.,  farmer;  Xewbanks,  Henry 

M.,  Effingham,  111.,  laborer;  Poorman,  Xoah,  Earned,  Kas.,  farmer; 
Pcml)erton,  James  B.,  Xewman,  111.,  hotel  keeper;  Pliipps,  Thomas 
J.,  Xewton,  III.,  miller;  Pliipps.  William,  Shell  City,  Mo.;  Pitt, 
William,  Blue  Earth,  Minn.,  farmer;  Rice,  William;  Rhodes,  Edwin, 
Ottumwa,  Iowa,  farmer;  Stone,  John,  Xewman,  III.,  merchant;  Sayre, 
Thomas  P.,  Florence,  Kas.,  farmer;  Wilson,  Samuel  F.,  Xeoga,  HI., 


184  HISTORY   OF  CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

druofirist;  Wooley,  Horace  F.,  Riittle  Snake,  Kas.,  farmer;  Wriirlit, 
Richard,  Jonesville,  Iiid.,  former  ;  "Waller,  John  T.,  Mattoon,  111., 
locomotive  engineer ;  "Waller,  Franklin,  Keoknk,  Iowa,  carpenter; 
"Winkler,  John,  Oakland,  111.;  Bigelow,  "William  H.;  Davis,  Eli,  Jones- 
ville, Ind.;  Fergnson,  James  ;  Ilolbrooks,  Colnnibus,  Castle  Hock, 
Colo.;  Kinney,  Oliver  C.  AY.;  McComas,  Arniond  S. ;  Ziegler,  AVill- 
iam.  Spring  Rjinch,  Xeb.,  farmer. 

Fifty- Ninili  Illinois  Infantry. — Of  this  regiment.  Company  F 
was  enlisted  from  Cumberland  County.  Its  first  officers  were  Mis- 
sourians,  and  the  regiment,  as  first  organized,  was  known  as  the 
Ninth  Missouri.  The  company  officers  were:  Captains — S.  W.  Kel- 
ley,  till  April,  1802;  G.  E.  Currie,  till  Deceml)er,  18(32;  H.  W.ILill, 
till  September,  1864;  H.  C.  Baughmau,  till  mustered  out.  First 
Lieutenants — John  Kelley,  till  September,  18(J2  ;  Reuben  jNIaddox, 
till  February,  18(55;  Philip  Stump,  till  mustered  out.  Second  Lieu- 
tenants— J.  H.  Maynard,  till  March,  18(52  ;  H.  C.  Baughmau,  till 
October,  18(52  ;  George  P.  Ayres,  rank  to  date,  from  December  8, 
18(55.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Saint  Louis,  ]Mo.,  September  18, 
18(51.  The  companies  composing  the  regiment  had  been  raised  in 
the  State  of  Illinois,  and  mustered  in  at  sundry  times,  in  July,  August 
and  September.  Three  days  after  their  organization  as  a  regiment, 
they  were  ordered  to  Jefferson  City,  ]Mo.  From  thence  the  regiment 
moved  to  Booneville,  via  Syracuse  to  Otterville;  via  Warsaw  and 
Humans ville,  to  Springfield,  where  it  arrived  on  the  ,3d  of  Xovem- 
ber.  The  brisfade  of  which  this  regiment  formed  a  part  marched  and 
countermarched  about  Si^ringfield,  first  towards  Syracuse,  then 
Lamine  Bridge,  thence  to  Tipton,  Lebanon,  Cassville.  Sugar  Creek, 
Osaije  Sprina's,  and  thence  to  Cross  Hollows  on  the  22d  of  Februarv- 
On  the  12th  of  this  month,  the  title  of  the  regiment,  Avhich  had  hith- 
erto })cen  known  as  the  Ninth  Missouri,  Avaschnnii-ed  bv  order  of  the 
"War  Department  to  the  Fifty-Ninth  Illinois  Infantry. 

On  March  (5,  the  Fifty-Ninth  moved  to  Pea  Ridg<\,  and  on  the 
following  day  was  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  that  fierce  fight,  which 
lasted  all  day.  On  the  8th,  the  regiment  wa,s  a  part  of  the  force  tliat 
moved  to  )-einforce  Carr  and  Ashboth,  who  had  been  forced  to  fall 
l)a<k,  and  were  again  soon  eng-awd.  Tlie  rcirinient  lost  severelv  in 
officers  and  men.  From  tliis  time  to  the  last  of  April,  the  Fifty- 
Ninth  retraced  much  of  its  ])revious  steps,  marching  to  Sugar  Creek, 
Cross  Tim])ers,  and  Cassville;  tlience  to  Forsvthe,  Bull  Creek  and 
West  Plains  on  April  28.  Capt.  Ellett,  three  lieutenants  and  fifty 
men  were  ordered  to  report  to  the  Rim  Fleet.    The  regiment,  forming 


IlISTOKV    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  185 

n  part  of  Jeff.  C.  Davis'  division,  was  then  onlcred  to  Tennessee, 
where  it  arrived,  and  was  plaecd  in  reserve,  on  the  left  of  Gen.  Pope's 
army,  at  Corinth.  After  the  evacuation,  the  regiment  toolv  part  in 
the  pursuit  as  far  as  Booneville,  when  it  returned  to  Clear  Creek, 
near  Corinth.  On  June  27,  18li2,  the  Fifty-Ninth  started  on  a  long 
tramp,  marching  and  countermarching  through  portions  of  Missis- 
sippi, Tennessee  and  Kentuck}'.  It  visited  Holly  Springs,  Ripley, 
Jacinto,  Bay  Springs,  Avhere  it  had  a  skirmish  with  some  rebel  cav- 
alry, and  luka,  in  Mississippi;  thence  to  Eastport,  Waterloo  and 
Florence,  Alab:inia  ;  thence  via  Lawrenceburg,  Mount  Pleasant, 
Cohnnbia,  Franklin,  ^Nlurfreesboro,  and  thence  northward  with  Buell's 
army,  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it  arrived  September  2^,  18G2.  Octo- 
ber 1,  the  Fifty-Ninth  was  brioaded  with  the  Seventv-Foui-th  and 
Seventy-Fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  the  Twenty-Second  Indiana,  form- 
in<>'  the  Thirtieth  Brioade  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  In  the  advance, 
in  pursuit  of  Bragg,  the  Fifty-Ninth  moved  by  way  of  Bardstown, 
and  met  the  enemy  near  Perrvville,  at  Chanii)lin  Hills,  and  in  the 
battle  of  Octobsr  8,  was  heavily  engaged,  losing  113  killed  and 
wounded,  out  of  31)1  going  into  the  action.  The  regiment  followed 
in  the  pursuit,  and  on  the  14th  had  a  severe  skirmish  at  Lancaster, 
Ky.  Thence  the  regiment  moved  forward,  via  Crab  Orchard,  to 
E'lgcfiidd,  near  Nashville,  Tenn. 

While  here,  the  briirJide  received  the  addition  of  the  Fifth  Wis- 
consin  Battery,  and,  subse(piently,  the  Twenty-First  Illinois.  On 
Christmas,  of  18G2,  the  l)rigade  made  a  reconnoisance  toward  Frank- 
lin, and  skirmished  with  the  enemy  all  day.  The  Fifty-Ninth  pressed 
down  the  road  from  Brentwood  towards  Nolensville.  On  the  2()th, 
the  Army  of  the  Cum])erland  was  put  in  motion  for  the  Stone  River 
campaign,  this  brigade,  under  conmiand  of  Col.  Post,  taking  the 
advance  towards  Nolensville.  The  Fifty-Ninth  was  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers, and  drove  the  eneni}'  nine  miles,  until  found  in  force  at 
Nolensville.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  attack  upon  Nolens- 
ville, from  which  the  enemy  was  driven  in  confusion.  The  regiment 
was  engaged  in  the  actions  at  Knob  Gap,  and  i)ressed  the  enemy 
closely  from  Triiuie  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  was  found  strongly 
intrenched.  An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  during  the  night  of 
the  30th  to  drive  him  from  his  jjosition,  and  the  regiment  lay  during 
the  niiflit  witliin  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  works.  Early 
on  the  morning  of  the  .3 1st,  the  enem}'  turned  the  right  Hank  of  the 
Twentieth  Corps.  The  Fifty-Ninth  changed  front  to  the  rear,  and, 
supporting  the  Fifth  Wisconsin  Battery,  for  a  long  time  held  the 


186  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

enemy  in  check,  and  when  "withdrawn  ])r()ii2:ht  with  it  the  ijuns  of 
the  battery,  from  Avliich  the  hoi-ses  had  all  been  killed.  It  Avas  then 
put  in  position  on  the  Murfreesboro  pike,  which  it  held  until  Janu- 
ary 2,  when  the  brigade  crossed  Stone  River,  the  Fiftj'-Xinth  fording- 
the  river,  swollen  by  recent  rains,  and  took  position  on  the  extreme 
left  of  th(?  army,  where  it  assisted  in  driving  back  the  triumphant 
enemy.  On  January  4,  the  enemy  evacuated  Murfreesboro,  and  the 
campaign  ended. 

June  23,  18tJ3,  the  Tullahoma  campaign  was  begun.  Col.  Post's 
brigade  moved  to  Liberty  Gap,  and  engaged  the  enemy,  from  the 
24th  to  the  27th,  and  thence  pressed  the  enemy  to  Winchester. 
Here  it  remained  till  the  17th  of  August,  Avhen  it  Avas  engaged  in 
hauling  200  wagons  up  the  Cumberland  Mountains.  The  brigade 
then  made  a  march  to  Stevenson,  Sand  Mountain,  Lookout  Valley, 
Stevens'  Gap,  Crawfish'Springs,  and  thence  to  Chattanooga,  a  dis- 
tance of  122  miles  from  Stevenson,  where  it  arrived  on  the  22d  of 
November.  During  the  siege  of  Chattanooga,  the  Fifty-Ninth  was 
constantly  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  November  23, 
the  regiment  started  on  the  Lookout  campaign.  On  the  2.5th,  the 
regiment  led  its  brigade  in  the  assault  on  ]Mission  Ridge,  from  which 
the  enemy  was  driven'in  confu->ion,  the  regiment  taking  part  in  the 
pursuit  so  far  as  Ringgold,  where  it  again  attacked  him  and  drove 
him  from  his  position.  On  the  30th,  the  regiment  was  sent  on  to 
the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga  to  bury  the  dead  of  the  battle  of 
September  19  and  20.  In  the  latter  part  of  Daceml^er,  the  regi- 
ment went  to  Whitesides,  where,  on  January  12, 1864,  the  regiment 
re-enlisted  and  was  mustered  as  a  veteran  organization.  The  latter 
])art  of  January,  it  marched  to  Chattanooga,  and  on  the  (ith  of  Feb- 
ruary, started  for  Springfijld  on  veteran  furlough,  arriving  on 
the   10th. 

March  IJIth,  the  Fifty-Ninth  re-organized  and  left  Springfiold, 
via  Nashville  and  Chattanooga,  for  Cleveland,  Tenn.  May  3,  the 
Atlanta  ( ainpaigu  began,  the  regiment  taking  part  in  the  attiick  on 
Tunnel  Hill  and  on  Rock  Faced  Ridge,  which  the  enemy  aliandoned 
on  the  13th;  on  the  14tli  ami  loth,  the  regiment  was  warmly  engaged 
at  Resaca,  and  thence  to  July  12  was  engaged  in  the  various  actions 
and  skirmishes  at  Kingston,  Dallas,  Ackworth,  Pine  Tt)p,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Smyrna,  Camp-Meeting  Ground,  etc.  On  the  12th,  the 
Fifty-Ninth  crossed  the  Chattahoochie  and  took  })osition  before 
Atlanta,  and  from  tliat  time  until  the  25th  of  Auofustwas  under  fire 
night  and    day.     With    the    army,    the    regiment    inarched  around 


HI8TOHY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  187 

Atlanta  in  the  direction  of  Jonesboro,  and  did  its  share  in  the  fiirht- 
ing  which  followed  this  movement.  The  reaiment,  Avith  its  bri.L^- 
ade,  took  part  in  the  movement  to  head  oil'  Hood  from  Nashville, 
coming'  into  the  presence  of  the  enemy  at  Pine  To[).  Thence,  with 
the  army,  it  retraced  its  ronte  to  Chattanooira,  and  on  the  30th  of 
October  left  for  Athens,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Pulaski,  where  it  remained 
nntil  November  23.  Evacnatinii"  the  entrenchments  here,  it  retired 
to  Columbia  ;  crossed  Duck  River  and  attacked  the  rebel  army  in 
the  Hank  as  it  was  marching  towards  Spring  Hill.  The  tight  con- 
tinued all  day,  and  at  night  the  Fifty-Ninth  nnmdied  twenty  miles 
to  Spring  Hill.  Resting  here  only  an  hour,  the  regiment  proceeded 
to  Franklin,  and,  during  the  afternoon,  took  part  in  the  battle  fought 
here.  On  December  1,  the  regiment  reached  Nashville,  and  com- 
menced throwing  up  earthworks  in  its  front.  December  15,  the 
bittle  of  Nashville  began,  ('ol.  Post's  brigade  assaulted  Montgom- 
ery Hill,  and  in  the  language  of  Gen.  Thomas,  "  took  the  initiative 
in  the  l>rilliant  deeds  of  the  day."  The  Fifty-Ninth  was  in  the  first 
line  of  the  assaulting  column,  and  planted  the  first  colors  on  the 
captured  works.  In  the  afternoon,  it  assaulted  and  carried  the  ene- 
my's "vvorks,  near  the  Hills])oro  pike.  December  Hi.  Col.  Post's 
brigade  made  the  menumible  assault  on  Overton's  Hill.  In  this  bat- 
tle, the  regiment  lost,  in  killed  and  wounded,  one-third  of  its  num- 
ber en"-ao-ed.  On  the  17th,  the  reo-iment  started  in  pursuit  of  the 
retreatiuir  enemy,  and  continued  to  the  Tennessee  River.  From  Jan- 
nary,  iSGa,  until  the  middle  part  of  June,  the  regiment  made  Nash- 
ville its  bas3  of  operations,  participating  in  various  expeditions.  On 
the  l(;tli  of  this  month,  the  Fifty-Nintii  left  for  New  Orleans,  and 
thence  to  Indianola,  Texas.  From  thence  it  marched  to  San  Anto- 
nio, and  was  stationed  at  New  Braunfels,  Tex.,  until  December  8, 
18G5,  when  it  Avas  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  ordered  home. 

Ninety-Seventh  III i7ioi\<i  Infantri/.— Oi  this  regiment  Company  B 
was  almost  wholly  drawn  from  Cumberland  County,  a  few  men 
only  being  drawn  from  the  adjoining  counties  of  Coles  and  Jasper. 
The  officers  of  this  Company  were  :  Captains— J.  G.  Buchanan, 
till  O-'tober,  18G4;  G.  D.  Armstrong,  till  mustered  out;  First  Lieuten- 
ants—J.  A.  Goodell,  till  June,  18(;3;  Alfred  :\Iiller,  till  October,  18i;3; 
G.  D.  Armstrong, till  October,  lS(i4;  James  Rollins,  till  mustered  out; 
Second  Lieutenants— Alfred  Miller,  till  June,  l.s()3;  G.  D.  Armstrong, 
till  0;-tob^r,  18()3;  Christopher  Bradman,  rank  dated  from  August, 
1«G5.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler  in  September,  18G2, 
and  mustered  on  the  Kith  of  that  month.     On  the  3d  of  October  the 


188  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

reo-imeiit  moved  for  Cincinnati,  and  on  the  17th  marched  to  Kichohis- 
ville,  where  it  remained  until  the  10th  of  Xovember.     It  was  then 
assio-ned  to  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's  division  and  moved  to  Louisville, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  loth  of   the  month.     Two  days  later  the 
regiment  embarked  for  Memphis,  where  it  went  into  camp  until  the 
middle  of  Dscember.     On  the  20th  of  this  month  the  Xinety-Seventh 
left  Memphis  to  take  part  in  the  campaign  against  Vicksburg,  and 
taking  transports  down  the  river  landed  near  Walnut  Hill  on  the 
Yazoo  River,  occupying  a  position  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  lines 
operating  against  Vicksburg.     On  the  1st  of  January,  1863,  it  was 
moved  towards  Arkansas  Post  and  participated  in  the  battle  which 
took  place  there  on  the  11th  of  that  month.     On  the  15th  the  regi- 
ment  was   moved   down   the    river   to   Young's   Point,    where   it 
remained  till  March,  moving  then  on   the  (3th  to  Milliken's  Bend. 
Thence  on  the  15th  of  April,  the  regiment  marched  to  Grand  Gulf; 
took  part  in  the  engagement   at  Port  Gibson  on  May  1,  and  at 
Champion  Hills  on  the  IGth,  arriving  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  on 
the  19th  of  Mav.     From  this  time  forward  to  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg,  July  4,  18G3,  the  Ninety-Seventh  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
work  and  danger  of  the  siege.     The  regiment  subsequently  took  part 
in  G3n.  Sherman's  expedition  to  Jackson,  and  then  returned  to' Vicks- 
burg where  it  remained  until  tho  15th  of  August.     At  this  date  the 
regiment    embarked,  for    Xew    Orleans   and  Avent   into    camp    at 
Carrolton  on  the  27th.     This  closed  the  active  part  of  the  regiment's 
service.     It  transferred  from  one  point  to  another  and  found  its  way 
to  Galveston,  Texas,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  July 
29,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Tldrd Illinois  Infantry. — To  this  regi- 
ment Cumberland  County  contributed  more  men  than  to  any  other 
one  in  the  servIce,save,perhaps,tlio  Fifth  C:ivalry.  Company  B  was  the 
one  formed  entirely  in  this  county,  and  was  enlisted  by  Capt.  Talbott 
in  the  latter  part  of  June,  1862.  :\Ir.  Talbott,  while  a  democrat  and 
sympathizer  to  some  extent  with  the  general  sentiment  opposed  to 
the  war,  still  felt  th'it  the  cause  of  republican  form  of  government 
was  at  stake  in  the  issue,  and  deemed  this  the  paramount  interest. 
He  was  deeply  engaged  in  business  which  connnanded  his  whole 
time  and  attention  and  Ir.id  no  thought  of  going  to  the  Avar.  Enlist- 
ments were  languid;  recruiting  officers  were  drumming  up  a  man 
here  an-l  th^re,  but  there  was  no  general  disposition  to  join  the 
army.  But  during  this  time,  men  frcquiintly  said  to  Mr.  Talbott, 
"  P"  you  would  t:»ke  out  a  company  I  wou%l  enlist."     So  frequently 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  189 

was  this  said  that  the  Oiptain  one  Sunday  ^-ave  out  that  if  a  com- 
pany could  bo  organized  ju-oniptly  he  woukl  undertake  it  and  go  to 
the  field,     On  the  Sunday  following  he  reached  camp  at  Mattoon 
with  101  men,  and  all  were  mustered.     This  became  Company  B  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Infantry.     The  officers  of  the 
company  were:  Captains — Edward  Talbott,  till  April,  1864;  Mahlon 
Votaw,  till  mustered  out;  First  Lieutenants — Lemuel  Leggett,  till 
August,  1863;  Mahlon  Votaw,  till  April,    1864;   B.  C  Talbott,  till 
mustered  out;  Second  Lieutenants — Charles  Conzet,  till  September, 
1864.    This  regiment  was  enlisted  principally  in  Coles,  Cumberland 
and  Clark  counties,  and  was  mustered  into  service  September  6,  1862. 
At  this  time  Brao-o"  was  makino^  his  famous  raid  throuodi  Kentucky 
to  reach  Indiana,  and  the  Illinois  regiments  were  hurried  to  Louis- 
ville as  fast  as  practicable.      The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third 
was  ordered  to  this  point  as  soon  as  mustered  in,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  Thirty-Third  Brigade,  Tenth  Division,  Army  of  the  Ohio,  Gen. 
Terrell  commanding  the  brigade,  Jackson  the  division,  and  McCook 
the  corps.     Here  the  regiment  remained  until  Gen.  Buell,  on  the 
1st  of  October,  began  the  pursuit  of  Bragg,  who  began  to  retire  after 
baing  foiled  of  his  main  object.     In  the  operations  thus  begun  the 
regiment  marchad  through  Taylorvillc,  Bloomfi?ld  and  Mackville, 
and  enofao-ed  in  the  b  ittle  of  Perryville-     The  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Third  virtually  opened  the  fight.     M?Cook,  supposing  from 
certain  movements  of  the  rebel   cavalry  that  the  enemy   was  re- 
treating and  did  not  mean  to  fight,  instructed  Gen.  Terrell  to  move 
his  brigade  cautiously  toward  the  creek,  and  if  no  enemy  was  found 
to   allow  the  men  to  stack  arms  and  supply  themselves  with  water, 
for   the  want  of   which    they  were    sutt'ering    greatly.      The  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  was  then  in  the  lead,  but,  deploying  in 
line  of  battle  with  bavonets  fixed,  the  brigade  cautiouslv  advanced, 
only  to  discover  that  the  cavahy  movement  Avas  only  a  ruse  on  the 
part  of  the  enemy,  and  to  be  met  by  a  terrible  destructive  fire  from 
the  heavy  line  of  the  enemy's  infantry.     Gan.  Terrell  w^as  ridino;  near 
the  left  of  this  regiment,  and  near  b}'  a  new  battery  advancing  with 
the  "fcneral  line.     The  first  fire  demoralized  the  battery,  slausfhter- 
ing  the  horses  and  stampeding  the  men.     Terrell  feeling  the  emer- 
gency, but  forgetting  the  duties  of  his  position,  dismounted  from  his 
horse,  and  with  the  aid  of  one  or  two   batterymen  and  six  men 
detailed  from  Company  B,  seized  one  of  the  abandoned  guns  and 
brought  it  into  position,  the  G3neral  sighting  and  firing  the  gun 
some  four  rounds  over  the  prostrate  Company  B.     At  this  point  the 


190  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTi'. 

General  orclereJ  a  charge,  and  Companies  B  and  D  sprang  forward  to 
obey  the  command.  The  right  of  the  regiment  failed  to  get  the 
word,  and  Com;)any  D  noticing  the  failure  halted  before  reaching 
the  enemy  and  retired.  Company  B,  however,  rushed  right  on  over  the 
intervening  space  of  some  200  yards,  cleared  the  fence  of  the  enemy 
and  pushed  some  thirty  yards  beyond  b3fore  it  delivered  its  first  fire. 
Here,  finding  itself  enfiladed  by  the  enemy's  fire  and  unsupported, 
the  company  rapidly  retired,  preserving  its  order,  however.  Arriv- 
ing at  its  original  position  it  found  the  brigade  broken  and  gone. 
Continuing  its  retreat  the  company  form3d  behind  some  other  troops 
and  thd  not  see  much  further  eno-aiifement  in  that  fixht,  but  losing 
in  this  short  fight  twenty-one  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
Here  Gens.  Terrell  and  Jackson  were  both  killed.  From  this  point 
the  regiment  moved  with  the  army,  passing  through  Danville,  Leb- 
anon and  New  ]\Iarket  to  ]\Iumfordsville,  where  it  remained  several 
weeks  sruardinir  the  construction  of  a  bridire  which  had  been 
destroyed.  The  regiment  then  proceeded  to  the  Cumberland  River, 
going  into  camp  at  Ludlow  Creek,  al)out  eight  miles  above  Nash- 
ville. In  December,  imder  command  of  Gen.  Reynolds,  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  took  part  in  the  expedition  after  Gen. 
Morgan,  returning  to  Avitliin  a  short  distance  of  Mumfordsville  when 
the  pursuit  was  abandoned,  and  a  return  was  made  by  forced  marches 
to  Nashville,  arriving  in  the  early  part  of  January,  1863.  The 
reofiment  was  at  once  moved  to  the  front,  a  little  south  and  east  of 
]\lurfrcesboro,  where  it  remained  imtil  the  general  advance  in  June. 
In  the  meauAvhile  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  was  mounted 
and  armed^with  Spencer  rifles,  and  scarcely  an  interval  of  ten  days 
elapsed  between  the  various  expeditions  in  which  the  regiment  was 
engaged.  These  lead  to  the  towns  of  Lel)anon,  McMiuuville, 
Liberty,  Alexandria,  etc.,  and  involved  heavy  skirmishes.  The  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  was  here  assigned  to  Gen.  AVilder's 
Brigade  of  Thomas'  Corps,  and  in  the  general  advance  of  the  army 
in  the  latter  part  of  June,  led  the  advance  of  its  brigade.  A  light 
force  of  the  enemy  was  driven  ra})idly  back  to  Hoover's  Gap,  where 
followed  a  l)risk  skirmish,  and  ]iressing  on,  the  regiment  captured  a 
company  of  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  at  Manchester.  From  June 
24  to  2S,  the  l)rigade  moved  on  the  flank  of  the  Fourth  Division, 
cutting  the  railroad  at  Dechard,  and  driving  the  enemy  from  the 
stockade.  In  this  vicinity  the  brigade  remained  until  August 
1(J,  engaged  in  collecting  hors.'s  and  mules.  Comj)any  B  was 
detached  on  oiie^  occasion,  and   found  one   hundred  mules  gathered. 


HISTOUY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  191 

which  they  captured  and  brought  in  with  safety.  On  another  raid 
towards  Coluinl)ia  the  Seventeenth  Indiana  and  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Third  captured  1  KX)  head  of  horses. 

On  the  l(jth  of  Auiiust  the  reo-inient  witli  its  brigade  crossed 
the  Cuniberhmd  ^Mountains  and  AVakh-on's  Kidge  to  Poe's  tavern, 
forded  the  Tennessee  Kiver,  and  moved  in  advance  of  Crittenden's 
Corps  towards  Ringgold ;  on  the  1 1th  struck  the  enemy  at  Tunnel  Hill 
and  on  the  following  day  moved  back  towards  Gordon's  Mills.  Two 
days  of  light  skirmishing  were  followed  by  two  days  of  quiet,  and 
and  on  the  17th  the  enemy  began  to  feel  the  line  of  the  Union  forces. 
On  the  18th  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  was  engaged  at 
times  pretty  heavily.  By  a  flank  movement  of  the  army  the  regi- 
ment was  placed  on  the  extreme  right  and  was  pretty  severely 
handled.  On  the  19th  and  i^Oth  though  placed  in  reserve  it  Avas 
brought  into  the  flo'ht  several  times  and  heavil v  en£rai»-ed.  On  the  re- 
treat  of  the  army  toward  Chattanooga,  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
Third  made  a  halt  in  the  gorge  of  the  mountain  commanding  the  val- 
ley and  Company  B  picketed  the  point  that  night.  After  this  tight  the 
Ojie  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  with  Wilder's  Brio-ade  proceeded  to 
Friar's  Ford.  On  October  1,  in  comi)any  with  the  First  and 
Second  Bris^ades  of  Cavalry,  the  One  Hundred  andTwentv-Tliirdand 
its  brigade,  under  command  of  Gen.  Crook,  started  in  pursuit  of 
Wheeler.  Crossing  Walden's  Bridge  the  regiment  moved  through 
Sequatchie  to  the  summit  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains  on  to  Mc- 
Minnville  and  Farmington.  Here  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
Third  came  upon  the  enemy  strongly  posted  and  had  a  determined 
fio-ht,  drivino-  the  enomv  from  the  tieldat  last.  From  this  point  the 
ex[)editi()n  pursued  Wheeler  until  he  crossed  the  Tennessee  River, 
when  the  pursuit  was  abandoned.  The  regiment  then  went  into 
camp  at  Maysville,  and  remained  several  weeks.  From  this  point, 
the  regiment  moved  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  and  thence  to  Moresville, 
where  it  served  the  army  in  c(dlecting  stores  for  the  army  at  Chat- 
tanooga. In  the  last  of  March,  1864,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Coknnbia,  Tenn.,  to  Sfet  the  advantaoe  of  the  tine  grazing  in  that 
country  for  their  horses,  Captain  Tall)()tt  commanding  the  regiment 
while  there. 

In  April,  the  regiment  rejoined  the  army  at  the  front  and  took 
part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  The  regiment  proceeded  to  Lafay- 
ette, Ga.,  thence  through  a  series  of  movements  and  skirmishes  to 
Dallas;  thence  to  Marietta,  on  July  3,  to  Cross  Keys  on  the  17th, 
to  Decatur,  and  Atlanta.     In  Soptembcr,  it  took  part  in  the  cavalry 


192  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

movements  about  Atlanta,  and  in  October,  was  engaged  in  watching 
the  movements  of  llood.  In  the  spring  of  18(55,  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  Gen.  Wilson's  command,  and,  on  the  2d  of  April,  took 
part  in  the  capture  of  Selma,  Ala.;  on  the  9th,  crossed  the  Ala])ama 
Kiver  and  marched  through  Montgomery,  Columbus,  and  entered 
Macon,  Ga.  In  the  latter  part  of  May,  it  was  ordered  to  Chatta- 
nooo-a,  and  thence  to  Nashville,  and  on  June  2S,  1865,  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Fifth  lUinois  Infantry.— Com\YA\\y  I 
of  this  regiment  was  composed  principally  of  men  from  Cumb.'rland 
County.  Its  officers  wore:  M.  A.  Ewing,  Captain;  J.  T.  Ewing,  Fii-st 
Lieutenant;  T.  J.  Matthews,  Sscond  Lieutenant.  This  regiment  was 
mustered  into  the  service  for  one  hundred  days  on  June  G,  1864,  and 
was  mustered  out  September  28,  1864.  This  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Little  Kock,  Ark.,  and  served  its  term  on  duty  there. 

Fifth  lUinois  Cavalry.— Oi  this  regiment,  Companies  A  and  I 
were  enlisted  in  Cumberland  County.  The  officers  of  Company  A 
were:  Captains— E.  W.  Pierson,  till  January,  1863;  J.  M.  Cullers,  till 
January,  1865;  Gordon  Webster,  till  March,  1865*;  Joshua  Tuthill, 
rank  dated  from  October,  1865.  First  Lieutenants— Chas.  Nice- 
wanger,  till  July,  1862;  Gordon  Webster,  till  January,  1865;  John 
D.  Rawlins,  till  mustei-ed  out.  Second  L'eutenants— Gordon  AVeb- 
ster,  till  July,  1862;  J.  M.  Cullers,  till  January  1863;  Lyman  Clark, 
till  May  1864;  Warren  Harper,  rank  to  date  from  October,  1865.  Of 
Company  I  the  officers  were:  Ciptains — B.irtholomew  Junkins,  till 
April,  1862 ;B.  G.Glenn,  till  December,  1862;  E.  S-  Norfolk,  till  Mirch, 
1863;  J.  A.  Balch,  till  March,  1865;  J.  K.  Brown,  till  mustered  out. 
First  Lieutenants— E.  S.  Norfolk,  till  December,  1862;  J.  K.  Brown, 
till  April,  1865.  Second  Lieutenants— J.  F.  Smith,  till  Sei)teniber, 
1862;  J.  K.  Brown,  till  :\Iiy,  1862;  AV.  F.  Snowdon,  till  December, 
1863;  Leandcr  Cotfman,  till  June,  1865;  R.  II.  Osborne,  from  AugiLst, 
1865,  ])ut  not  mustered.  The  Fifth  C.ivalry  regiment  was  organized 
at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  November,  1861,  and  Hall  Wilson 
appointed  Colonel.  On  February  20,  1862,  the  regiment  moved  to 
Benton  Barracks,  Saint  Louis,  and  early  in  the  spring  to  Pilot  Knob. 
On  the  27th,  the  Fiftli  marched  to  Doniphan,  where  it  had  its  first 
skirmish  Avith  the  enemy,  capturing  his  camp  and  seven  prisoners. 
The  regiment,  a  tew  days  later,  nuirched  to  Pocahontas,  where  it 
remained  until  the  latter  i)art  of  June.  On  the  27th  of  this  month, 
the  regiment  marched  for  the  ^Mississippi  River,  joining  Curtis' army 
at  Helena,  July  13.     Here  the  regiment  did  forage  and  escort  duty 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY- 


193 


the  balance  of  the  year,  losing  seventy-eight  men  and  an  officer,  by 
an  attack  of  the  enemy  on  one  of  the  forage  trains.  In  Jannary, 
18(53,  the  regiment  made  an  expedition  to  Duval's  Blutf,  and,  in  Aprd, 
went  in  pn^^snit  of  Marmaduko,  who  was  retreating  from  ^Missouri. 
In  the  latter  part  of  :May.  under  orders  for  Vicksburg,  the  regiment 
cm])arked  for  Snyder's  Blutf,  and,  two  days  after  landing,  made  a  recon- 
noissance  to  ]Mcchanicsburg,  skirmisliing  heavily  on  the  way,  and  driv- 
ino-  the  enemy  ten  miles.  Forming  a  junction  with  the  forces  under 
General  Kimball,  the  combined  commaml,  consisting  of  three  regi- 
ments and  eio-ht  pieces  of  artillery,  made  an  attack  upon  the  enemy, 
who  was  strongly  posted,  and  defeated  him,  the  Fifth  losing  eight 
men,  killed  and  wounded.  On  the  6th  of  July,  the  regiment  moved 
with  Sherman's  command  to  Jackson,  and  thence,  with  a  strong 
detachment,  made  a  march  to  Canton,  where  they  destroyed  the  pul> 
lie  workshops,  after  some  fighting,  and  returned  to  the  main  army 
imder  General  Sherman. 

In  Ano-ust,  the  regiment  took  part  in  an  expedition  to  Grenada, 
capturing  wagon-trains  and  destroying  bridges  along  the  iSIississippi 
Central  Railroad,  and  reached  their  destination  on  the  17th,  driving 
the  rebels  under  Chalmers  from  the  place  and  effecting  a  junction 
with  the  command  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Phelps.     The   bridge 
over  the  Yallabnsha  being  destroyed,  the  rolling-stock  of  the  road 
captured  could  not  be  saved,  and  forty  engines  and  320  cars  were 
burned.    Continuing  their  march,  the  force  turned  toward  :Memphis, 
encountering  Blytlie's  rebel  cavalry  at  Coldwater,  in  which  engage- 
ment the  Union  forces  were  victorious,  the  Fifth  losing  some  six 
men.     Arriving  at  Memphis,  the  regiment  embarked  for  Vicksburg 
and  encamped  at  Black  River  on  the  29th  of  August.     Here  the  i-egi- 
ment  remained  until  January,   18G5,  in  the  meantime   being   in  a 
number  of  expeditions  through  Mississippi  and  Louisiana.     In  Octo- 
ber, the  reg-iment  moved  with  General  McPherson's  Corps  to  Jack- 
son, took  part  in  the  cavalry  charge  at  Brownisville,  losing  three 
men.     In  February,  moved  with  General  Sherman's  connnand  on  the 
Meriden  raid. 

In  January,  1864,  many  of  the  regiments  re-enlisted,  and  on 
March  17th  the  veterans  were  furloughed,  returning  May  10th.  At 
this  time  eight  companies  were  dismounted,  companies  A,  B,  C  and 
D,  being  fully  equipped  and  mounted.  On  July  1st  this  battalion, 
with  detachments  of  the  Eleventh  Illinois  Cavalry,  Second  Wis- 
consin Cavalry,  and  Third  United  States  Colored  Cavalry,  nnder  the 
command  of  Major  H.  P.  Mumford,  with  a  brigade  of  infantry,  Gen. 


194  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dennis  commanding  the  expedition,  moved  to  Jackson  with  con- 
tinual skirmishing.  On  the  return  march  this  force  was  attacked 
by  a  hn-^e  force  of  the  enemy,  who  was  repulsed  after  severe  fight- 
in  o-.  The  Ixittalion  lost  several  men  wounded  and  killed.  On 
Septem1)er  27  the  same  force  of  cavalry  moved  down  the  river, 
landing  at  Port  Gibson,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  place,  the 
Fifth  losing  one  man  killed.  From  thence  the  expedition  moved  to 
Natchez,  where  it  was  joined  by  the  Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry  and  a 
battery,  and  moved  on  to  Tonica  Bend.  Here  the  expedition  landed 
and  moved  to  Woodville,  where  it  captured  a  rebel  camp.  During 
the  nio-ht  a  force  of  GOO  of  the  enemy,  with  one  gun,  advanced,  but 
were  driven  in  confusion  by  a  charge  of  the  cavalry.  From  this 
point  the  expedition  returned  to  Vicksburg.  November  20  the 
Fifth  took  part  in  an  expedition  sent  out  to  destroy  the  Mississippi 
Central  Railroad,  over  which  the  supplies  of  Gen.  Hood's  army  were 
being  transported.  The  expedition  was  successful,  the  command 
destroying  many  miles  of  the  road. 

On  January  24,  1865,  the  Fifth  moved  to  ^Memphis,  where  it 
was  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Cavalry  Division.  From 
this  point  the  regiment  took  part  in  an  expedition  to  southern 
Arkansas  and  northern  Louisiana,  returning  about  the  middle  ot 
February.  In  March  the  regiment  took  part  in  an  expedition  to 
Ripley,  Mississippi,  and  on  its  return  was  assigned  to  the  duty  of 
guarding  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad.  Here  the  regi- 
ment remained  until  July,  when  it  was  moved  via  Red  River  to 
Texas.  From  Alexandria,  La.,  the  regiment  marched  to  Hempstead, 
Texas,  where  it  remained  until  October  G,  when  it  was  ordered 
home.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Springfield  on  the  IGth  of  October, 
1865;  was  mustered  out  on. the  27th,  and  received  final  payment 
and  discharge  October  30,  1865. 

Of  the  fourteen  or  more  regiments  that  drew  a  part  of  their 
numbers  from  ('umborland  County,  though  no  organizations  were 
formed  here,  the  Fifty-Fourth,  Sixty-First,  and  Sixty-Second  are  cer- 
tainly entitled,  from  the  number  of  citizens  they  contained,  to  a 
place  among  Cumberland  County's  interests.  The  Fifty-Fom-th 
Illinois  Infantry  was  organized  in  Coles,  Clark  and  Jasper  counties, 
and  in  Company  G  were  some  fifteen  or  twenty  of  Cumberland 
('ounty's  young  men.  The  Fifty-Fourth  was  organized  at  Camp 
Dubois,  Anna,  111.,  as  a  part  of  the  Kentucky  Brigade.  It  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  for  three  years,  February 
18,  1862.     A  week  later  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Cairo,  and  a  few 


IIISTOUV    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  195 

days  after  reaching  this  point  proceeded  to  Columbus,  Ky.  During 
the  tall  throe  companies  were  stationed  at  Humboldt,  Tenn.,  until 
the  middle  of  December,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Jack- 
son, Tenn.  From  the  latter  point  the  regiment  at  once  proceeded 
to  make  short  expeditions  to  various  towns  about,  in  the  meanwhile 
guarding'  the  line  of  railroad  from  Columbus  to  Jackson  until  the 
latter  part  of  ]May.  Two  companies  were  stationed  at  ]Medon  and 
two  at  Toon's  Station  during  the  winter,  Gen.  Forrest  in  the  mean- 
time capturing  the  detachments  of  the  railroad  and  tearing  it  up 
some  distance.  May  30,  1863,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Vicksburg 
and  took  position  on  Haines'  Blutf  on  the  Yazoo  River  on  the  2d  of 
June.  The  Fifty-Fourth  was  in  the  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division, 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  under  command  of  Gen.  Kindmll,  and  oc- 
cupied the  extreme  left  of  Sherman's  army  on  the  Big  Black  when 
confronting  Johnson.  In  the  latter  part  of  July  the  regiment  took 
part  in  Gen.  Steele's  expedition  against  Little  Rock,  and  proceeded 
to  Helena;  from  thence  to  Little  Rock  and  returned  to  Vicksburg  in 

October. 

In  January,  18(54,  three-fourths  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted,  and 

\Yere  mustered  February  9,  1864.     In  March  the  veterans  left  for 

Mattoon  on   furlough.     Re-assembling  at  the  expiration  of  their 

furlough,  in  April,  at  Mattoon,  the  regiment  was  thrown   into  a 

fever  of  excitement  by  the  report  of  certain  outrages  committed  on 

members  of  the  regiment  at  Charleston,  in  Coles   County.     The 

county,  and   especially  the   county-seat,  was  strongly  democratic 

and  opposed  to  the  prosecution  of  the  war.     The  Sherift',  with  a 

number  of  hot-headed  home  politicians  and  sympathizers,  got  into 

an  altercation  with  several  members  of  the  regiment  about  to  join 

their  command,  and  in  the  melee  several  were  killed  on  both  sides.    Of 

the  regiment  Major  York,  the  surgeon,  and  four  privates  were  killed, 

and  Col.  :\litchell  wounded.     An  hour  later  the  regiment  arrived 

from  Mattoon  and  occupied  the  town,  capturing  the  most  prominent 

instigators  of  the  riot.     The  regiment  left  for  Cairoon  the  12th  of 

April,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Columbus,  Paducah,  and  Little  Rock. 

In   May  it  left  for  Brownsville  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Shelby,  teaching 

Little  Rock  on  the  30th,  where  it  remained  for  about  a  month. 

From  thence  the  Fifty-Fourth  proceeded  to  Duval's  Blul'',  and  thence 

to  Clarendon,  where  it  came  in  contact  with  Shelby.     Returning  to 

Duvul's  Bluff,  the   Fifty-Fourth  was  assigned  to  guarding  sixteen 

miles  of  the  :Memphis  and  Little  Rock  Railroad,  having  five  stations 

with  two  companies  at  each  station.     In  the  latter  part  of  August 


196  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

Shelb}'  attiiokecl  an  overwhelminij:  force  and  captured  one  station. 
Six  of  the  companies  were  concentrated  at  one  stiition,  and  for  five 
honrs  resisted  tlie  attack  with  great  bravery.  The  breastworks, 
hastily  constructed  of  hay,  having  been  fired  and  destroyed  by  the 
enemj^'s  artillery,  the  regiment  was  driven  out  of  their  defences  and 
captured  in  detail.  The  regiment  lost  some  fifty  men  in  killed  and 
wounded  at  this  fight.  Companies  F  and  H  at  a  distant  station 
were  not  molested.  The  part  of  the  regiment  captured  was  paroled, 
and  reached  Benton  Barracks,  Missouri,  in  September.  December 
5,  1864,  it  was  exchanged  and  returned  to  Hickory  Station  on  the 
same'railroad,  where  it  remained  on  this  duty  until  June.  On  the 
iltli  of  this  month  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Pine  Blutf,  thence  to 
Fort  Smith,  Ark.,  and  thence  to  Little  Eock,  where  it  was  mustered 
out  October  16,  1865,  and  proceeded  to  Camp  Butler,  Illinois, 
October  26,  where  it  was  discharged. 

Sixty-First  Illinois  Infantry. — Company  H  of  this  regiment 
was  made  up  principally  from  enlistments  in  Coles  County,  with 
many  from  Lawrence  and  Cuml^erland  counties.  Company  F  sul> 
sequently  contained  quite  a  number  of  men  from  Cumberland 
Count}^  by  transfer  from  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Regi- 
ment. This  regiment  was  organized  at  CarroUton,  III.,  by  Coh 
Jacob  Fry.  Three  full  companies  Avere  mustered  February  ,5,  1862. 
On  the  21st  the  regiment  was  still  incomplete,  and  was  moved  to 
Benton  Barracks,  where  recruits  were  secured  to  complete  the 
organization.  In  March  the  regiment  embarked  for  Pittsburgh 
Landing,  where  it  was  assigned  to  the  Eighteenth  ^Missouri  Brigade 
and  Prentiss'  Division.  On  April  6,  400  men  of  the  regiment  were 
formed  into  line  to  receive  the  first  assault  of  the  enemy  in  that 
memorable  fight.  For  an  hour  and  a  quarter  the  regiment  stood 
firm  and  then  fell  back  under  orders,  only  when  every  regiment  in 
the  division  had  given  way.  Upon  retiring  the  regiment  was  com- 
])limented  by  Gen.  Prentiss  for  its  gallant  stand.  The  Sixty-First 
was  then  placed  in  supi)ort  of  the  First  Missouri  Artillery,  and  at  1 
P.  M.  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  Gen.  llurlbut,  arriving  at  a 
very  critical  moment  and  maintaining  the  line  until  relieved  by  a 
fresh  reofiment,  when  its  anuuunition  was  exhausted.  When  the 
second  line  was  broken,  the  regiment  retired  in  good  order  and  took 
up  a  position  supporting  the  siege  guns.  On  the  second  day  the 
Sixty-First  was  placed  in  reserve,  but  its  loss  in  the  battle  reached 
eighty  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Early  in  June  the  regi- 
ment moved  to  Bethel,  thence  to  Jackson  and  to  Bolivar,  in  Tennessee. 


wm 


HISTORY  OF  cl-.mhi:i:lam)  Cor.NTV.  ISJil 

111  Sopt('inl)or  the  regiment  moved  by  way  of  Jackson  and  Corintit 
to  Brownsville,  Miss.,  bnt  returned  after  tlie  battle  of  Inka.  In 
December  a  detachment  of  the  refjiment  w'ith  some  other  detach- 
ments took  a  position  at  Salem  Cemetery  and  n^jjulsed  the  enemy 
nnder  Forrest.  May  IM,  I6(i3,  t\w  Sixty-First  moved  from  Bolivar  by- 
rail  to  Memphis  and  there  embarked  for  Vieksbnro-.  On  the  3d  of 
Jnne  it  reached  Chickasaw  Bayou,  and  on  the  followinir  day  accom- 
panied an  expedition  up  the  Yazoo  River,  landino-  at  Satartia  : 
moved  thence  to  Media nicsbnro-,  Haines'  Blutf,  and  Snyder's  liluti'. 
July  17th,  the  Sixty-First  moved  to  Black  lliver  Bridije  and  re- 
turned. In  August  it  took  part  in  Gen.  Steele's  expedition  to  Little 
Rock.  The  regiment  remained  here  in  occupation.  The  reu-imeut 
np  to  ]\Iarcli  20,  18G4,  consisted  of  nine  C(mipanies.  but  at  tliis  date 
it  was  joined  by  Company  K  from  Camp  Butler,  111.  The  Sixtv- 
First  was  subsequently  ordered  to  Nashville,  and  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  there  on  Septem])er  8,  186"). 

Si.di/- Second  Illinois  Infanfry. — This  reginKMit  was  chiefly-  en- 
listed in  Clark,  Crayvford,  and  Coles  counties.  In  Company  Cwere 
a  consideral)le  numl^er  of  Cumberland  County  men,  and  few  in  each 
of  several  other  companies  of  the  regiment.  The  Sixty-Second  was 
organized  at  Camp  Dubois,  Anna,  III.,  April  10,  l.S(;2.  On  the  '>2d 
it  moved  to  Cairo,  thence  to  l^adncah  and  Columbus,  and  in  Col. 
Ditzler's  Brigade  to  Tennessee,  where  it  was  stationed  on  the  MobiU^ 
and  Ohio  K-.iilroad,  near  Crockett  Station,  with  lieadcpiarters  at 
Kenton.  In  December  the  regiment  was  moved  to  Jackson,  Tenn. 
leaving  about  200  men  sick  and  on  duty  at  Holly  Sprino-s;  aljout 
two  miles  from  Jackson  found  the  railroad  bridge  on  tire,  and  leav- 
ing the  train  inarched  to  Jackson  and  four  miles  beyond,  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy.  On  the  2od  the  regiment  marched  along  the 
railroad  as  far  as  Toon's  Station  and  returned  to  Jackson.  In  the 
meanwhile  Van  Dorn  descended  on  Holly  Springs  and  captured 
about  170  men  of  the  regiment,  and  destroyed  all  the  reo-imental 
records  and  baggage.  On  December  olst  the  regiment  went  with 
Lawler's  Brigade  in  i)ursnit  of  Forrest  and  found  him  strongly 
[losted  on  the  opposite  bank  of  tli(>  river.  Returning  to  Jackson  the 
regiment  remained  here  until  April,  ISC'}.  wJkmi  it  moved  to 
LaGrange.  In  August  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  where 
it  embarked  for  Helena,  overtaking  the  army  of  Gen.  Steele  at 
Brownsville  ;  took  part  in  the  action  near  Little  Rock  and  re- 
mained there  until  April,  18(;4,  when  it  moved  to  Pine  Blulf  and 
remained  till    August    12,    JSiU.       The   regiment    in    Januaiy    had 

12 


200  niSTOIJY    OF   CUMHEHLANI)    COUXTl'. 

reK'ulisted,  and  at  this  date  returned  to  Illinois  on  veteran  furlou2fh. 
After  the  expiration  of  their  t'urlouiili  the  recimcnt  returned  to  Tine 
Blurt',  reaehinf>-  there  November  2'),  18G4.  The  non-veterans  of  the 
reiriiiient  were  ordered  to  Illinois  for  muster  out.  Under  date  of 
April  24,  l.SG."),  the  remainin£>-  veterans  and  recruits  were  ordered 
consolidated  into  seven  companies,  and  remained  on  duty  at  Pine 
Blutf  until  July  28,  IHG"),  when  it  moved  by  river  to  Fort  Gibson, 
in  the  Cherokee  nation.  It  was  subsequently  ordered  to  Little 
Kock,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  March  6,  LSlK),  and 
ordered  to  Sprinatieid  for  tinal  payment  and  discharge. 

This  sketch  of  the  activities  of  reo-iments  in  which  this  county 
is  principally  interested  was  compiled  laroely  from  the  Adjutant- 
General's  report.  In  case  of  several  reainients  no  report  save  the 
bare  roster,  is  found  in  the  State  Avork,  and  dependence  has  been  placed 
upon  the  menory  of  those  who  served  in  the  ditt'erent  organiza- 
tions.  However  imperfect  the  attempt,  and  however  tar  short  it 
may  tall  of  the  merits  of  the  case,  it  will  serve  to  show  that  Cumber- 
land Countv  found  those  who  ably  represented  her  in  the  tield,  and 
that  many,  while  politically  at  variance  with  the  administration 
then  in  power  in  the  general  government,  put  loj'alty  to  the 
nation  above  partisan  fealty  to  a  (juestionable  policy.  In  the  Black 
Hawk  disturbance  of  1S32  the  community  here  was  too  tar  removed 
from  the  actual  operations  to  notice  them,  and  was  too  few  in  num- 
bers to  spare  any  men  save  under  the  dir(;st  necessity.  In  1847, 
while  SMn})athizing  with  the  object  of  the  war,  the  county  was  too 
thinlv  settled  even  then  to  contribute  to  the  ranks  of  the  six  regi- 
ments  enlisted  in  the  State.  There  are,  however,  some  half  do/XMi 
residents  of  the  county  now  who  Avere  in  the  Mexican  war',  but  Avho 
were  enrolled,  elsewhere. 


inSTOHY    OF    CUMHRULAM)    COUNTY.  201 


VILLAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

■T^IIEKE  was  little  at  an  early  clay  to  mark  any  particular  site  as 
-*-  especial  ly  advantageous  for  a  village.  There  was  a  great  rage  in 
platting  villages  throughout  the  West  during  a  few  years  preceding 
1837.  The  system  of  internal  improvements  projected  by  the  State 
gave  rise  to  the  most  extravagant  estimate  of  the  immediate  devel- 
opment of  the  country  to  follow,  and  villages  were  platted  in  the 
most  isolated  situations  on  the  banks  of  streams  that  now  have 
scarcely  an  existence,  and  wherever  one  of  these  enthusiasts  hap- 
pened to  have  a  plat  of  land  large  enough  to  hold  the  possible  vil- 
lage. At  this  time  there  seems  to  have  been  but  little  conception  of 
what  changes  the  ordinary  development  of  the  country  would  bring, 
and  none  at  all  of  the  wonderful  influence  of  railroads.  It  was 
therefore  natural  that  the  first  bcofinnins;  should  be  alono-  the 
National  road. 

Greenup* — Ira  B.  Rose  was  a  resident  of  ]\Iartinsville,  and  im- 
pressed with  the  advantages  likely  to  accrue  from  the  National  road 
secured  land  just  west  of  the  village  of  to-day,  and  in  November, 
1833,  laid  out  the  village  of  Embarrass.  This  little  town  consisted 
of  thirty-eight  lots,  spread  out  on  either  side  of  the  road.  Rose  was 
not  calculated  to  be  successful  in  such  an  enterprise,  and  while  tem- 
porarily promising  future  growth  it  was  eclipsed  by  its  stronger _J 
neighbor  laid  out  in  the  folloAving  year.  It  continued  for  some 
years,  however,  jocosely  called  Roseville,  or  Natchez  under  the  hill, 
and  :it  one  time  boasted  of  a  store  by  Bragg  &  Solenburg,  a  saloon 
by  W.  Stal lings,  and  the  first  tavern,  which  was  conducted  by  the 
mother  of  the  celebrated  lawyer.  Usher  F.  Linder.  The  Linders  be- 
came citizens  of  Greenup  in  1833,  coming  from  Hardin  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  a  one-horse  wagon. 

In  1834,  Joseph  Barbour  caused  the  village  of  Greenup  to  be 
platted.  It  is  located  on  the  National  road  near  the  point  where  it 
crosses  the  Embarrass  River,  forty-five  miles  west  of  Terre  Haute. 

It  assumed  the  title  of  Greenup  from  a  man  of  that  name,  who 

owned   a  large  part  of  the  land,  ui)on  which  Greenup  now  stands, 

^ind  Avho  donated  quite  a  number  of  lots  to  the  original  town,  in 

*  The  editor  is  indebted  for  the  principal  mutter  for  this  sketch  from  a  contribution  to  the  columns 
of  the  Cumberland  Democrat. 


202  HISTORY    OF    CUMIJEHLAXl)    COUXTV. 

order  that  a  town  might  be  established  here.  And  he  it  was,  it  seems^ 
'e^ho  hud  off  the  first  lots  in  Greenup.  But  Thomas  Sconce  was  the 
first  Surveyor  who  laid  ofi'and  reported  a  plat  of  this  town,  which 
he  did  on  the  5th  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1834.  Greenup  and  Barbour, 
Ewart  and  Austin,  also  Austin  and  Cook  respectively,  made  addi- 
tions to  this  town,  b}^  way  of  granting  lots.  The  first  lot  that  Avas 
laid  off  in  Greenup  is  in  Block  one,  now  known  as  the  "  New  Public 
Square,"  on  the  northeast  corner  of  said  block.  From  the  original 
town  plat,  as  made  out  by  ]Mr.  Sconce,  who  was  then  County  Sur- 
veyor of  Coles  Countj^  we  obtain  the  following  description  of  the 
original  toAvn  of  Greenup,  viz: — beginning  at  the  east  side  of  the 
new  public  square,  the  lots  number  respectively  1,  2,  3,  4,  etc.,  west- 
ward, reaching  lot  Xo.  25,  av hen  they  change  to  the  north  side  of 
Cumberland  Street  (it  being  that  part  of  the  "  National  road  "  which 
runs  through  Greenup),  commencing  in  the  west  at  lot  No.  2(),  num- 
ber eastward  to  lot  No.  50.  There  is  but  one  tier  of  lots  south 
of  Cumberland  Street,  on  the  original  plat.  Just  north  of  the 
tier  mentioned  w^iich  lies  north  of  Cumberland  Street,  and  running 
east  and  west,  is  an  alio}-  fourteen  feet  Avide.  North  of  this  alley  is 
another  tier  of  lots,  bei>inninir  on  the  cast  at  lot  No.  51,  running  west- 
ward  to  lot  No.  70.  Then  north  of  these  is  Pleasant  Street,  north  of 
Pleasant  Street  are  four  more  lots,  through  Avliich  running  east  and 
west  is  another  alley,  except  the  block  farthest  Avest,  knoAvn  as  the 
"  Old  Public  Square;"  the  last  mentioned  alley  does  not  run  through 
this  block.  Still  north  of  the  last  mentioned  tier  of  blocks,  running 
east  and  west,  is  Elizabeth  Street.  North  of  p]lizabetli  Street  is  one 
more  block.  The  whole  number  of  lots  in  the  original  plat  is  102. 
Then  commencing  on  the  west  side  of  the  "  New  Public  Scpiare," 
and  running  nortliAvard,  is  Mill  Street.  One  block  west  of  Mill 
Street  and  running  nortliAA'ard  is  Franklin  Street.  One  block  Avcst 
of  Franklin  Street  and  running  nortliAvard  is  Jefferson  Street.  One 
})lock  Avest  of  Jefferson  Street  and  running  nortliAvard  is  Washing- 
ton Street.  This  constitutes  the  original  Greenup.  But  as  has  been 
stated,  since  this  Avas  made  out  several  additions  have  been  made  to 
the  toAvn,  some  of  which  have  been  mentioned. 

The  following  references  appear  on  the  original  plat,  as  made  out 
by  iSIr.  Sconce,  viz: 

1st.  The  town  is  situated  on  the  soutliAvest  (piarter  of  Section 
No.  2,  Townshij)  No.  9  north,  of  K;inge  No.  i)  east,  of  the  third  jn-in- 
cipal  meridian,  as  designated  on  the  plat. 

2d.     The  surA'Cv  of  the  lots  Avas  made  according- to  the  ninirnetic 


IIISTOUV    OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY.  203 

noodle,  the  variation  at  the  time  being  considered  at  seventy  degrees 
ancl  thirty  minutes  east. 

ad.  The  length  and  breadth  of  the  public  scpiare  and  the  sev- 
eral lots  are  given  in  feet,  on  some  one  of  the  lines  in  figures. 

4th.  The  corners  of  the  blocks  or  sciuares  have  stones  tirmly 
set  in  and  visible  above  the  surface. 

5th.  The  Avidth  of  all  the  streets  and  alleys  are  expressed  in 
feet  on  the  jilat. 

(ith.  The  lots,  streets  and  alleys  are  laid  down  on  the  plat  on  a 
scale  of  half  an  inch  in  a  chain  of  100  links,  or  132  feet  to  an  inch. 

7th.  The  number  of  each  lot  is  expressed  on  the  plat,  near  the 
centre  thereof,  and  each  is  made  reo:ularlv  neumatical,  amounting  to 
102  lots. 

This  plat  was  recorded  by  J.  P.  Jones,  on  the  7th  day  of  May, 
1834,  he  being  at  that  time  Recorder  of  Coles  County,  and  on  it  ap- 
pears a  certificate  of  Nathan  Ellington,  dated  May  21,  1852,  who 
was  at  that  time  Circuit  Clerk  and  ex-officio  Recorder  of  Coles 
County. 

For  many  years  Greenup  slumbered  in  the  bosom  of  its  wood- 
land home,  among  the  hills,  in  apparent  solitude  and  oblivion,  mak- 
ing but  few  and  small  improvements.  Considering  the  distance  to 
general  markets,  and  the  foct  that  Greenup  merchants  were  com- 
pelled to  haul  their  goods  in  wagons  from  those  far  distant  points; 
and  the  further  fact  that  this  country  Avas  so  thinly  settled,  the  prog- 
ress of  Greenup,  from  a  village  to  a  city  must  of  necessity  be  slow 
and  tedious.  Away  back  in  that  early  day,  when  Cumberland  and 
Douglas  counties  formed  part  of  Coles  County,  all  that  vast  region 
of  country  was  so  thinly  settled  that  there  were  but  five  voting 
points  in  the  entire  county  of  Coles.  Somewhere  near  Areola  on 
Okaw  River  was  the  northwestern  point  of  holding  elections;  Ash- 
more  was  the  northeastern,  C'harleston  the  center;  Woodbury  the 
southwestern  and  Greenup  the  southeastern.  On  the  day  of  a 
countj^  election  the  voters  would  assemble  at  these  respective  places 
for  the  purpose  of  casting  their  votes.  On  the  erection  of  Cumber- 
land County,  this  village  was  the  most  important  point  in  the  new  di- 
vision and  for  a  numlwr  of  years  was  the  de  facto  county-scat.  A 
store  was  established  here  and  many  a  ponnd  of  coffee,  sugar  and  the 
like  were  carried  away  from  Greenup  by  the  early  settlers,  who  pur- 
chased these  articles  with  the  pelts  of  the  various  wild  animals  that 
infested  the  forests  of  southwestern  Illinois,  owing  to  the  scarcity 
of  monev,  and  the  market  value  of  these  peltries. 


S 


204  HISTORY    or   CU^rBEIILAND    COUNTY. 

As  countv-seat,  the  villaiife  drew  liiri»-e  numbers  from  the  vari- 
oils  parts  of  the  county,  and  as  Greenup  could  boast  of  no  "  Town 
Ordinances  "  then,  or  police  force  with  which  to  control  the  fury  of 
those  who  saw  fit  to  enter  into  pugilistic  combat,  it  often  witnessed 
bloody  noses  and  black  eyes,  on  those  election  days,  occasioned  by 
supernumerary  decoctions  of  home-made  M'hisky.  Greenup  knew 
Jim  Eaton  in  the  prime  of  his  manhood,  and  in  Greenup  many  of 
his  notable  feats  were  performed,  which,  to  an  ordinary  man,  would 
seem  an  impossibility.  Greenup  was  a  favorite  point  with  Eaton, 
and  often  while  there  he  has  held  up  a  barrel  of  whisky  in  his  hands 
and  drank  from  its  bunijhole.  Eaton  had  many  a  combat  there  in 
early  days,  and  was  never  but  once  unsuccessful.  He  disposed  of 
some  of  Georire  Wall's  finsfers  with  his  teeth.  But  he  met  his  fate 
one  day  in  the  person  of  a  showman  who  struck  him  in  the  forehead 
with  a  two-pound  weight.     He  did  not  live  long  afterwards. 

But  the  elections  were  not  all  that  drew  j^eople  to  Greenup,  for 
it  will  be  remembered  that  people  had  to  eat  in  those  days  as  well 
as  do  they  at  this  time.  And  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  mills  then,^ 
and  to  the  fact  that  Greenup  afforded  one,  man}'  a  man  made  visits 
to  Greenup  for  the  i)urposc  of  having  corn  converted  into  meal.  The 
mill  to  which  we  allude  was  built  by  Messrs.  Greenup  &  Barl^our  in 
1832,  and  was  run  In'  Avater  power.  It  was  a  grist  and  a  sash  saw 
mill,  and  was  located  on  the  river  bank,  near  where  the  Charleston 
and  Greenuj)  road  crosses  the  river  northwest  of  town.  This  remark- 
able old  mill  was  run  res]icctively  and  successively  by  Messrs. 
Greenup  &  Barbour,  Mr.  Williams,  Mr.  Hellems,  Mr.  R.  Stinson, 
Mr.  John  Snearly  and  lastly,  by  Traders.  It  ran  on  and  did  work 
until  1856.  It  fell  down  sometime  afterward,  and  some  of  the  old 
mill  stones  are  yet  to  be  seen  about  the  site.  In  those  days  it  was  a 
very  common  thing  for  a  man  to  throw  a  sack  of  corn  upon  the  back 
of  an  ox,  and  hie  to  the  Greenup  mill.  Big  boys,  who  were  com- 
pelled to  wait  a  day  or  tAvo  for  their  grinding,  were  frequently  seen 
sitting  around  a  little  tire  with  their  bare  feet  in  the  ashes,  eating 
parched  corn,  the  while.  It  was  in  the  fore-bay  of  this  old  water 
mill  that  James  B.  Freeman  fell,  during  the  time  that  John  Snear- 
ley  Avas  running  it. 

]Mr.  Greenup,  it  seems,  was  an  engineer  on  the  Cumberland  road 
about  the  time  it  was  laid  out,  and  after  the  road  was  duly  located, 
he  took  a  job  of  furnishing  the  government  with  bridge  timbers,  and 
])articularly  for  the  bridges  across  the  slough  and  river,  west  of 
Greenui).     Mr.    Barbour    put    up  this  mill,  the    primary  object  of 


HISTORY    OF    ClMnElIL.VND    COINTY.  205 

Avhioli  was  to  saw  out  these  tiinbGrs.      But  the  mill  and  its  biiihlers, 
as  well  as  those  In-idsres,  are  now  known  only  in  the  past. 

The  iireater  i)art  of  the  history  of  Greenup,  up  to  the  time  it  be- 
came the  county-seat  of  Cumberland,  is  pretty  much  the  same  old  oft 
repeated  story,  of  rouiih  western  pioneer  villaues,  such  as  is  so  well 
known  to  many  of  the  peoi)le  of  the  AVest.  From  this  time  forward 
the  villa<>:e  prospered.  The  National  road  brouirht  new  life  with  j 
its  increasing'  tra\-el.  and  it  grcAv  to  be  a  noted  point  to  travelers  far 
and  near.  There  is  no  doul)!  but  Greenup  is  well  remembered  by 
hundreds  of  persons  who  were  on  their  way  to  the  _<>(>lden  hills  of 
California,  in  search  of  their  hidden  treasures,  whos(\£i-ood  fortune  it 
Avas  to  i)artake  of  the  hospitalities  of  Greenup,  on  their  wearisome 
journey.  Charles  Conzct,  Sr.  is  undoul)tedly  remembered  as  the 
landlord  of  the  Greenup  House.  Doulitlcss  meals  obtained  from  his 
well  loaded  table,  by  the  hungry  traveler,  thirty  years  ai^o,  have 
helped  to  establish  that  reputation  as  a  landlord  Avhich  uncle  Char- 
ley so  justly  deserves. 

He  came  to  this  couutrv  from  Pliiladeli^hia,  in  1848,  and  located 
three  miles  east  of  Greenup,  where  he  pursued  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer  for  about  five  years.  He  then  l)ought  the  Greenup  House 
from  John  Shiplor,  and  entertained  the  public  here  for  years.  The 
buildino-  was  erected  by  Captain  Ed.  Talbott,  who  sold  it  to  John 
Shiplor.  It  is  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Cumberland  and 
Franklin  streets. 

Closely  connected  with  this  house  is  a  rather  laughable  anec- 
dote, for  an  account  of  which  we  are  under  many  many  obligations 
to  its  hero,  Mr.  J.  AY.  Latta.  The  incident  to  Avhich  we  allude  oc- 
curred a  short  time  before  ^Ir.  Conzet  l)ecame  proprietor  of  the 
house,  and  during  the  time  that  Simon  Lyons  was  running  it.  Air. 
Lyons,  it  seems,  was  entertaining  a  temporary  boarder,  Avho  was  at 
the  time  a  citizen  of  Missouri.  This  boarder  was  projecting  a  porta- 
ble photograi)hic  office,  which  was  to  be  carried  on  wheels.  Some 
short  words  i)assed  in  a  little  unpleasantness  in  the  bar-room,  be- 
tween the  boarder  and  Air.  Harvey  Green,  who  was  then  driving 
stage.  AVhereupon  Air.  Lutta  said  "  no  gentl(>man  or  Christian  will 
insult  me,  and  a  ])lackguard  shall  not."  At  this,  Air.  Green  informed 
him  that  he  could  not  step  out  upon  the  porch  and  say  that.  Out 
they  went,  lint  when  Air.  Harvey  saw  hands  placed  upon  pistols, 
in  casing  pockets,  performed  a  series  of  back  steps,  the  other  the 
while  advancing,  until  Air.  Lyons  cried  out,  "  Harvey!  Harveyl" 
Whereupon  the  latter  threw  up  the  sponge  and  said,  "  now  you  quit 


20()  TII.^TOin-    OF    CU3IBEKLAXD    COUNTY. 

and  I  will."  Of  course,  his  piudoncc  at  this  juncture  was  com- 
mended. And  while  joked  for  his  bravery,  in  apology  he  said:  -I 
didn't  know  but  the  d— d  old  flint  lock  might  go  off."  Hence  the 
origin  of  ••  Hint  lock  ""  in  this  locality. 

Among  the  early  prominent  men  of  Greenup,  should  be  men- 
tioned A.  k.  Bosworth.     He  came  to  this  village  in   1<S41,  with  a 
small  stock  of  saddlery  and  harness,  and  began  business  here.     He 
made  the  first  set  of  harness  that  was  ever  made  in  Greenup,  and 
sold  them  to  ]\Irs.  Eobinson  wdio  took  them  with  her  to  Kentucky. 
He  w^as  married  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Cox,  a  cousin  of  Usher  F.  Liuder,  in 
1842,  and  for  several  years  taught  school  in  Greenup  for  eight  and 
nine  dollars  a  month,  to  wdiich  we  have  already  alluded,  in  another 
chapter.     He  removed  to  Alton  in  this  State  in  1847,  but  did  not  re- 
main there  long,  and  came  back  about  the  time  this  county  was  or- 
ganized.    After  he  went  out  of  the  office,  to  which  w^e  have  alluded, 
he  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  a  house  on  lot  Xo.  lo,  in  the 
old  town  of  Greenup,  and  frequently  sold  goods  for  coon  skins,  and 
bought   '•  buck  horns  "  for  25   cents   per  pair.     And,  says    he,  "  I 
lostnioney  like  blixen  on  them,  too,  at  one  time."     He  afterward 
bought  a  iot  just  south  of  the  Ewart  House,  lot  Xo.  10,  where  he  put 
up   a    shed  and  sold   goods   in  it;   afterward  went  in  with  Clark 
8      kweathcr,  and  sold  goods  in  the  house  now  occupied  as  a  Loclge- 
room  by  the  Masons,  Avho  afterward  built  the  old  frame  house  on 
lot  Xo.  2,  which  soon  fell  into  the  hands  of  A.  K.  himself.     In  1860 
he  took  sides  with  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  was  beaten  for  County  Clerk  by 
M.  B.  Ross.     He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  dry  goods  business, 
and  continued  in  the  same  until  about  four  years  ago,  when  he  took 
in  his  son  Ross.     They  run  the  business  under  the   firm  name  of  A. 
K.  Bosworth  &  Son,  until  recently  when  they  sold  out  to  Harrison 
Jones  and  eTohn  J.  Kellum.     Mr.  Bosworth  visited  the  armies  during 
the  war.     He  relates   many  interesting  anecdotes  of  earlier  times, 
and  particularly  of  things  that  occurred  in  an  early  day  in  Greenup. 
And  when  the  county-seat  was  removed  to  Prairie  City,  the  records, 
of  course,  being  in  (ireenup,  Mr.  Bosworth,  at  that  time  being  Clerk, 
ontcrtained  an  idea  that  the  records  could  not  legally  be  removed, 
and    he   disi)uted  the  right   of    removal    in    some  hotly  contested 
law  suits.     But  they  availed  nothing,  and  when  they  came  over  from 
the  City  with  wagons  after  the  records,  it  was  indeed  a  fearfully  ex- 
citing time,  which  very  nearly  resulted    in  a  l)attle.     ^Nlr.  Bosworth 
refused  to  go  over  to  the  City  to  act  as  Clerk,  but  was  willing  to  act 
if  the  records  were  left  in  (ireenup.     Consecpiently,  A.  G.  Caldwell 


IIISTOIIV    OF    CUMBEULAXD    COUNTY.  207 

was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy,  Avhicli  hoclid.  But  Mr.  liosworth's 
passions  subsided,  and  ho  was  elected  to  the  same  office  afterward. 

In  1852,  a  railroad  line  was  surveyed  throuiih  from  Terre  Haute 
to  Saint  Louis,  nearly  coincident  with  the  \'andalia  line,  which  was 
called  the  BruH'  road.  This  road  slept  on  for  seventeen  years, 
duriiiii"  which  time  the  citizens  of  Greenup  and  of  the  various  points 
alouir  the  route  were  often  highly  elated  at  their  prospect  for  a 
railroad,  and  (piite  as  often  disconraiifed.  This  line  passed  through 
Greenup,  on  what  is  known  as  Railroad  Street,  in  Addison's  addition 
to  the  town  of  Greenup,  and  is  about  four  blocks  north  of  where  the 
railroad  now  is.  This  railroad  prospect  failed  and  the  hopes  of  a  rail- 
road died  outimtil  the  present  road  was  surveyed,  and  other  and  bet- 
ter men  assumed  the  contract  for  its  construction.  It  Avill  be  remem- 
bered that  the  Saint  Louis,  Vandalia  &Terre  Haute  Railroad  was  built 
in  1(S()S-;),  and  that  the  first  train  of  cars  that  ever  visited  Greenup, 
"svas  during  tlu^  holiday  of  that  winter.  It  was  a  proud  era  in  the 
history  of  Greenup,  and  the  anticipations  of  mau}'^  of  Greenup's  citi- 
zens knew  no  ])ounds.  New  additions  were  made  to  the  town,  new 
lots  laid  oft",  large  increases  of  population,  buildings  went  np  daily, 
and  Greenup  for  once  was  aroused  from  her  long,  deep  slumber,  and  to 
a  newness  of  life  and  activity.  And  as  the  number  of  trains  increased 
and  their  screams  echoed  np  and  down  the  valleys  of  Cumberland 
and  Jasper,  a  new  disi)osition  seemed  to  settle  over  the  people,  and 
to  assume  the  i)lace  of  the  dull  monotonous  despondency  that  had  so 
long  low^ered  over  them.  Now  farms  were  cleared  up,  and  a  spirit 
of  indiLstry,  energy  and  enterprise  shown  that  had  never  before  been 
manifested  in  this  locality. 

Greenup  has  always  been  a  good  milling  point,  and  its  later  busi- 
ness has  taken  this  direction  and  pioneered  the  way  to  steam  mills. 
In  18o4,  J.  &  W.  Madison  established  a  saw  mill  in  Madison's  addi- 
tion to  the  town.  This  was  the  first  steam  saw  mill  ever estal)lislied  in 
this  part  of  the  country.  The  Madisous  run  this  mill  until  the  latter 
part  of  1857,  when  they  sold  it  to  ]\Ir.  Henry  Stum[).  Stump  ran  it 
until  18(U,  when  it  was  sold  to  other  parties  and  removed  to  other 
I)arts.  During  the  time  Mr.  Stump  ran  the  mill.  Puny  Phelps  at- 
tached to  it  a  carding  machine,  which  (with  great  credit  to  Mr. 
Pli(dps)  performed  aduiirably,  and  called  to  Greenuj)  considerable 
wool  trade.  This  carding  machine,  it  will  lx>  remembered,  was  no 
small  enterprise,  for  the  reason  that  flax  hackles  and  spinning  wheels 
were  the  principal  means  of  obtaining  clothing,  and  no  very  great 
attention   was   devoted  to    the  raising  and  improvement  of  sheep. 


208  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Hence,  Mr.  Piielps  iiiioht  Ncrv  justly  be  denominated  the  hero  of  the 
new  era  of  the  ck^thing  department  in  this  county.  But  the  mill 
and  Phelps"  carding  nuichine  have  passed  aAvay  and  others  have  taken 
their  places. 

Some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  1.S.53,  Captain  Edward  Talbott 
))uilt  what  is  now  caUcd  the  "  Cumberland  Mills."  They  are  situa- 
ted on  the  St.  L..  Y-  Sz  T.  H.  R.  11.,  at  the  point  where  the  Greenup 
and  Palestine  road  crosses  the  railroad,  in  the  south  part  of  toAvn. 
Mr.  Talbott  ran  them  himself  until  1S55,  at  which  time  he  took  in 
Warren  Covill  as  a  partner.  This  partnership  continued  about  tAvo 
years,  when  Mr.  Covill  sold  his  interest  back  to  Mr.  Talbott.  In  l<s,)i> 
Mr.  Talbott  took  in  ]Mr.  Benjamin  Talbott  as  a  partner,  which  part- 
nership continued  until  the  latter  part  of  1<S64.  Mr.  Edward  Tal- 
bott Avent  into  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Regiment  of  Illi- 
nois Volunteers,  as  Captain,  in  1S62.  During  the  time  the  Captain 
Avas  in  the  army,  the  mills  were  leased  to  William  Leslie,  of  ]M;ir- 
shall,  Avho  managed  them  for  about  two  yeai-s,  theremainder  of  Avhich 
time  they  were  managed  by  a  ]Mr.  Stump,  who  ran  them  nearly  a  year. 
Sometime  in  the  fore  part  of  the  year  1865,  Messi"s.  HuH'cuttand  Mil- 
ler rented  the  mills  and  managed  tliem  for  nearly  two  years.  Mr.  Tal- 
bott noAv  runs  the  mills  himself.  For  some  consideraljle  time  after 
their  construction,  a  carding  machine  AA'as  attached  to  the  mills  and 
did  excellent  Avork. 

In  1854  a  saw  mill  was  built  in  the  northeastern  part  of  toAvn. 
This  mill  was  built  by  Philip  Wolchimer  and  ]\Iahlon  VotaAv.  These 
men  ran  this  mill  until  some  time  in  1858,  Avhen  it  was  purchased  by 
Mr.  Arthur.  Tnnnediately  upon  the  purchase  by  Mr.  Arthur,  he  at- 
tjiched  to  it  a  carding  machine,  and  h:is  since  then  continued  to  run 
it,  doing  excellent  Avork,  and  much  of  it. 

A  famous  fishing  resort  in  an  earh'  day  was  near  Greenup,  and 
so  Avonderful  a  place  could  hardly  be  omitted  in  a  sketch  of  this  vil- 
lage. JustAvest  of  the  village  and  east  of  the  old  bridge  near  the 
Cumberland  road,  is  the  •' slough"  or  the '"  Greenup  fishing  rink," 
in  Avhich  thousands  of  pounds  of  fish  are  sometimes  left,  after  the 
abatement  of  high  waters.  An  incident  is  mentioned  of  a  fishing-party 
to  this  slough,  organized  by  Dr.  Rliodabough,  during  the  time  he 
Avas  a  citizen  of  Greenu[).  The  Doctor  is  very  fond  of  fish  and  as 
fond  of  the  sport  of  catching  them;  and  is  never  Avithout  a  seine. 
So  the  Doctor,  in  company  with  Mrs.  Khodal)ougli,  William  AVyldc 
and  ladv,  A.  Carson's  lady,  Georsfe  Dav  and  others  started  for  the 
slough.     The    Doctor  beiuii"  a  fleeted  with   rheumatism  concluded  he 


IIISTOUV   OF   CUMBEHLAM)   COUNTY.  20t> 

would  not  iro  into  tlio  water  (tlio  o-roatcr  part  of  which  Avas  niiid  of 
the  worst  character),  and  that  he  wonhl  h)()k  after  the  unlucky  fish 
when  caufjfht.  So  it  wa-s  arranu^cd  that  Mr.  Wylde  and  George  Day 
do  the  seining-  (the  seine  being-  small  and  easily  managed),  so  in  they 
went  and  made  a  draij  takini":  over  a  hundred  very  fine  butfalo  fish 
and  other  kinds,  some  of  which  weighed  thirty  pounds,  l^ut  before 
they  reached  the  bank  (the  Avater  being  shallow),  the  Doctor  beheld 
the  fish  and  forgetting  his  ailments,  plunged  into  the  mud  and  water 
over  his  knees,  and  began  slinging  the  fish  on  the  bank,  with  an  eager- 
ness incompreliensible  to  any  but  those  who  have  had  experience  in 
such  business.  And  it  is  said  that  the  eager  Doctor  slung  them 
(juite  often  against  the  excited  ladies  who  stood  upon  the  ])ank.  After 
taking  nearly  a  thousand  pounds  of  fish  from  the  slough,  they  re- 
paired to  their  homes  Avith  high  anticipation  of  the  morrow's  break- 
fast. This  fish  story  would  not  perhaps  compare  Avith  those  of  the 
New  Testament,  but  it  is  nevertheless  affirmed  to  be  true,  and  such 
is  the  oft  repeated  history  of  the  "  slough,"  by  various  parties,  from 
year  to  year. 

Owing  to  the  great  increase  of  population  in  Greenup,  occasioned 
by  the  establishment  of  Greenup  as  a  railroad  toAvn,  and  to  tl^e  in- 
dependent dispositions  of  the  sons  of  Erin,  Avho  worked  upon  the 
road  in  18(i8-()y,  it  became  necessary  to  esta])lish  a  guardian  of  the 
public  peace  in  Grecnu}). 

Accordingly  on  the  28d  day  of  Januar}-,  1870,  a  meeting-  Avas 
called  in  Greenup,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  steps  toAvard  the  incor- 
poration of  Greenup,  as  a  toAvn,  and  to  take  the  vote  of  the  people 
for  or  against  incorporating.  On  motion  of  John  J.  Kellum,  S.  W. 
Quinn  Avas  elected  President  of  the  meeting,  and  upon  motion  of 
David  Carson,  Jr.,  Peter  Shade  was  elected  clerk  of  the  same.  Officers 
Avere  then  sworn  Avho  proceeded  to  take  the  yeas  and  nays  on  incor- 
poration, Avhich  vote  resulted  in  forty-seven  yeas  and  four  nays,  gi\'- 
ing  yeas  a  majority  of  forty-three.  It  was  determined  at  this  meet- 
ing to  hold  an  election  on  the  8()th  of  January,  18()1),  tor  the  purpose 
of  electing  a  Board  of  Trustees.  On  that  day  the  following  persons 
Avere  elected  Trustees  for  the  town  of  GrecMuip.  constituting  Green- 
up's first  ToAvn  Board,  viz.:  A.  J.  Ewart,  P.  Shade,  Charles  Conzet, 
Jr.,  T.  L.  Norman,  and  G.  Monohon.  This  Board  held  its  first  meet- 
ing on  the  4tli  day  of  February,  18(39,  and  elected  G.  Monohon,as  its 
President,  and  P.  Shade  as  its  Clerk.  On  the  following  day,  viz.: 
February  5,  l.SIJil,  the  first  code  of  ordinances  (seven  in  number) 
Avere  draAvn  up   and   passed.     On    the  last  mentioned   day  it  Avas 


210  HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

detcrniinod  to  hold  an  election  on  the  18th  day  of  February,  l'SG9, 
for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  police  magistrate,  on  which  day  A. 
Cook  -was  elected  to  that  office,  and  shortly  afterward  Z.  Davee  was 
appointed  police  constable. 

The  village  is  now  greatly  disturbed  over  the  question  of  the  re- 
location of  the  county-seat.  The  constitutional  re(piirement  of  a 
three-fifths  vote  seems  to  put  it  beyond  the  power  of  Greenup  ever 
regaining  the  distinction  of  being  the  seat  of  justice,  and  yet  its  enter- 
prise seems  to  bo  waiting  for  this  improlwble  event.  A  large  public 
square  is  left  unfenced  and  unimproved;  business  is  generally  satis- 
fied with  rather  inferior  frame  buildings,  and  the  spirit  of  Micawber 
seems  to  have  possessed  the  larger  part  of  the  community. 

Woodbury. — This  village  lives  now  only  in  the  memory  of  the 
older  citizens  and  in  the  name  of  the  township.  It  was  platted  on 
land  belonging  to  AVilliam  C.  Greenup  and  George  Hanson,  in  183.5. 
It  was  named  for  George  \Yoodbury,  who  built  a  cabin  here  as  early 
as  1831.  In  1833,  Levi  Beals  came  here,  built  a  cabin  and  was  soon 
^afterappointeLl  postmaster.  The  mail  carrier  stopped  at  his  place, 
and  occasionally  travelers.  Subsequently,  D.  T.  AVisner  settled  here 
and  l^ept  a  small  store  and  postoffice  for  years,  but  the  place  is  no 
more  recognized  as  a  village.  Originally,  it  consisted  of  fifty-two 
lots,  twenty-six  on  each  side  of  the  National  road,  and  divided  into 
five  blocks  by  three  cross  streets,  thirty-three  feet  wide,  denominated 
First,  Second  and  Third  streets.  There  is  some  prospect  now  that 
certain  railroad  shops  may  be  located  at  this  place  and  the  al)andoned 
site,  or  the  near  vicinity,  once  more  assume  the  importance  of  a 
village. 

Johnstoion* — This  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in  the  coun- 
try. As  far  back  as  1827-28  John  Tally  had  a  little  water-mill  and 
distillery  above  Johnstown  on  the  jNIuddy.  To  this  mill  the  few 
settlers  of  the  country  repaired  to  get  their  grists  ground  and  their 
jugs  filled  with  whisky.  About  the  year  183.')  Tully  started  a  horse- 
mill,  which  he  ran  when  the  water  was  too  low  to  run  his  water-mill, 
and  he  had  to  go  out  among  the  settlers  in  search  of  corn  to  grind, 
and  David  Bruster  says  that  when  he  was  quite  a  small  l>oy  he  re- 
members Tnlly  coming  to  his  father's  (Mr.  Davis  Bruster's)  house  on 
the  old  Thraldkill  place  in  Kickapoo  Point  for  corn.  Tully  staid 
at  Johnstown  iinlil  about  the  year  l-s;')?  or  1838,  when  he  sold  out 
liis  mill  and  distillery  to  Bol)  Dixon  and  Walter  Patterson,  who 
laid  out  a  town  and  named  it  "  Sheffield."     Th(\v  also  opened  a  small 

*  Many  of  the  facta  for  this  sketch  arc  derived  from  a  publication  l)y  George  E.  Mason. 


HISTOUY    OF    CUJLBEllLAND    COUNTY.  211 

store,  biiyinir  their  goods  to  stoek  it  from  Bill  Todd,  of  Charleston. 
Dixon  and  Patterson  remained  in  Shethchl  imtil  about  the  year 
1S4(),  when  they  were  elosed  out  by  Morton  *&  Dei-ker,  of  Charles- 
ton, into  whose  hands  the  land  ui)on  which  the  town  is  located,  the 
mill,  distillery,  etc.,  fell.  The  town  then  went  down,  and  the  peo- 
ple moved  away  to  other  localities.  About  the  year  1846  Alfred 
Alexander  purcha.sed  the  town  site,  and  shortly  after  his  son,  John 
W.  Alexander,  revived  the  town,  changing  its  name  to  "Johnstown," 
after  himself.  About  the  year  1851  or  1852  Deal  &  Johnson  brought 
a  stock  of  goods  to  Johnstown  and  connnenced  business,  and  from 
this  small  beginning  our  friend  "  Zay"  has  risen  to  be  president  of 
the  Fii-st  National  Bank  of  Charleston,  and  a  wealthy  and  influential 
man.  Here  Abe  Highland  also  formerly  cut  quite  a  figure.  At  the 
time  Deal  &  Johnson  opened  their  store  a  postoffice  was  established 
at  the  place.  The  early  days  of  Johnstown  is  replete  with  historic 
interest.  It  was  at  Tully's  mill  that  the  early  settlers  met  to  decide 
their  difterences  and  hear  the  news  from  the  outside  world.  And 
later,  it  has  been  the  scene  of  many  fiercely  contested  political 
battles  between  contending  candidates,  and  Ed  Norfolk  relates  that 
in  1860  when  Uncle  Jimmy  Cunningham  and  Jim  Kobison  were 
candidates  for  congress,  and  Henry  Rhoads  and  riiil  AVolchimer 
were  candidates  for  sheriff,  he  went  to  Johnstown  on  election  day 
and  found  all  the  "groceries"  chartered  by  the  Whigs;  so,  seeing  that 
the  day  was  lost  unless  something  was  done  to  check  the  current 
against  the  democracy,  at  once  purchased  several  gallons  of  whisky 
and  some  cups,  and,  placing  a  table  in  the  middle  of  the  street, 
opened  a  "  free  grocery,"  and  triumphantly  carried  the  day  for  his 
party. 

Originally  the  village  was  platted  on  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  east  half  of  the  southeast  cpiarter  of  Section  27,  Township  11 
north,  Kangc  8  east.  It  consisted  of  twelve  blocks  of  eight  lots 
each,  and  a  public  scpiare  the  size  of  one  1)l()ck.  The  streets  were 
sixty  feet  wide,  and  in  its  beginning  was  planned  for  a  thriving 
village.  The  character  of  modern  development,  however,  has  left 
the  village  stranded  in  the  intcnior.  It  has  a  store,  a  few  shops,  and 
two  or  three  members  of  the  professions  to  keep  up  the  character  of 
a  village.  \ 

Jeweft.*— This  village  dates  from  the  old  town  of  Pleasantville, 
which  originally  was  situated  on  the  east  half  of  the  southeast 
(luarter  of  Section  24,  and  the  east  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of 

♦Many  of  the  facta  for  this  sketch  are  derived  from  a  publication  by  George  E.  Mason. 


212  HISTORY    OF   CUMBEIILAND    COUNTY. 

the  same  section  in  Township  9  north,  Eauirc  8  east.  It  consisted 
of  IK)  lots,  three  rows  deep  on  the  north  side  and  four  on  the 
south  side  of  the  National  road.  Pleasantville  was  platted  in  1844; 
Thomas  Sconce,  surveyor;  plat  recorded  June  12,  1844;  Otis  Perrin, 
recorder.  Jewett  is  on  the  Cumberland,  or  National  road,  is  live 
miles  south  of  Prairie  City,  and  tive  miles  southwest  from  Greenup. 
Hull  Tower,  the  projn-ietor,  an  old-time  Methodist  preacher,  lives 
jit  Oakland,  Oregon,  having  emigrated  about  18.50.  The  town  was 
once  noted  as  a  great  stage  station,  stopping  place,  etc.,  when  Owen 
Tuller  had  the  line  from  Terre  Haute  to  Saint  Louis.  Until  recently 
the  widow  Beals  occujiied  the  old  homestead  a  short  distance  from 
town,  which  was  once  an  "ancient  hostelry." 

After  the  "  Brough  Survey"  collapsed  and  the  T.  H.  A.  &  St. 
L.  R.  R.  was  built,  the  stage  and  telegraph  line  was  discontinued, 
property  became  almost  worthless,  and  many  of  the  old  settlers 
al)andoned  the  town  for  more  prosperous  localities.  Dr.  L.  C. 
Churchill,  Levi  Beals,  Joseph  Russell  and  John  Laughter,  the 
Lawsons,  old  John  Gillham,  Dan  Marks,  B.  R.  Russell,  now  in  Cali- 
fornia, ^Meredith  and  Wiley  Ross,  of  Prairie  City,  were  old  settlers 
in  or  near  Pleasantville.  The  Ilamiltons,  John  Ivens,  'Squire 
CuUum,  the  Russels,  Jim  Morrison,  AY.  L.  Trostle,  "  Old  Jack 
Pickering,"  John  Ilollinhan,  Russell,  ^Morrison  and  Luughter,  and 
others  are  among  those  remembered  as  early  citizens  who  abided  by 
the  old  place. 

In  the  early  days  the  sin-rounding  country  was  heavily  timl)ered, 
and  many  a  buck  fell  beneath  the  unerring  aim  of  Uncle  Jo  Russell, 
Jolni  Talbott,  "old  Jack  Pick,"  and  others.  Pioneer  sports  were 
freely  indulged  in,  consisting  of  shooting  matches,  horse  and  foot 
races,  pitching  cpioils,  etc.,  interlarded  with  practice  in  the  "manly 
art  of  self-defence."  The  junction  of  the  National  and  now  Prairie 
City  roads,  on  the  east  bank  of  ]Mu(ldy,  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
town,  was  a  great  stamping  ground  foi-  the  pioneers  from  all  parts 
of  the  country  in  the  olden  time.  Amonof  the  names  of  the 
champions  in  pugilistic  encounters  were  John  Kingery,  Joseph 
lierry,  Sr.  (both  dead),  and  old  Dan  Needham,  who  yet  lives  to  re- 
count the  liistory  of  their  exi)loits.  Duid  T.  AVisner,  at  Wood- 
bury, two  miles  southwest  of  Pleasantville,  occupies  a  prominent 
plac<'  in  the  history  of  those  times,  1I(>  removed  to  Missouri  and 
died  therein  1^72.  Old  Jo  Kirkpat  rick,  who  dropped  dead  in  the 
streets  of  Charleston  about  l.s;)i)-'(;(),  formerly  resided  about  one  and 
oncMpiarter  miles  west  of  town,  and  was  burned  out  by  his  (>nemies 


IIISTOKY    OF   CUMBKKLAXD    COUNTY.  218 

who  were  too  cowarclly  to  seek  reveiiire  by  other  means.  The  old 
landmarks  have  many  of  tliem  disappeared.  The  Churchill  build- 
iniis  liave  hiteh'-  become  a  wreck.  The  Lannhter  Mill,  which  was  so 
prolific  of  litigation  in  l)S.3iJ-'G(),  has  long  since  disappeared,  as  has 
also  the  old  log  church  and  schoolhouse. 

Among  the  early  business  men  were  I)ani(d  ]Mark,  Colonel  and 
Morgan  Rush,  Benjamin  Russell,  Meredith  Ross,  and  some  others, 
but  the  change  of  the  county-seat  and  the  development  of  railroads 
elsewhere  sapped  the  prosperity  of  the  place,  and  it  was  almost 
deserted.  Up  to  the  advent  of  the  Vandalia  Railroad  ever;)'thing 
had  al)out  flattened  out  and  dihipidated,  until  its  building  revived 
things  in  18()il-70.  In  LSTO  Jewett  was  platted;  W.  H.  Rissler, 
surveyor;  E.  S.  Norfolk,  recorder.  Addition  (connecting  the  towni 
to  Pleasantville)  platted  1873;  recorder,  Andrew  Carsen.  Millions 
of  feet  of  limiber  have  been  manufactured  and  shipped  at  this  point, 
walnut  and  white  oak  bcini>-  the  principal  kinds  shipped.  Until  the 
building  of  the  P.  D.  &  E.  R.  R.  this  was  the  shipping  point  for 
Toledo  and  the  western  jjortion  of  Jasper  County,  and  the  town 
rapidly  took  on  an  appearance  of  business  thrift.  This  road,  how- 
ever, made  some  change,  but  Jewett  is  a  pleasant  village,  with  several 
good  stores,  churches,  schoolhouse,  and  the  nsual  complement  of  shops. 

Toledo. — The  count3'-seat  was  platted  in  18.54  by  Nelson  and 
John  Berry,  Lewis  Harvey  and  Wm.  P.  Rush.  Its  site  covers  the 
geographical  center  of  the  county,  and  was  originated  for  the  pur- 
pose of  accommodating  the  seat  of  justice.  The  site  was  not  espe- 
cially adapted  for  a  village,  but  its  location  made  it  more  desirable 
than  other  locations  which  were  competitors  for  the  distinction. 
The  early  growth  of  the  village  was  ra})id.  The  courthouse  was 
erected  in  18.37  and  the  county  records  removed  in  that  year.  This 
necessitated  the  presence  of  the  County  oflicers  at  least,  and  the  town 
rapidly  l)uilt  up.  Wm.  P.  Rush  was  the  first  storekee[)er,  and  Lee 
and  Norfolk  the  second.  Business  graduall}^  increased,  but  not  with 
large  strides  until  after  the  building  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  and 
Evansville  Railroad  in  1877.  Three  years  before  this  the  village 
business  and  inhabitants  are  given  in  the  Democrat  as  follows: 
"The  village  contains  twenty  business  houses,  namely,  Bruster  & 
Sons,  two  stores,  dry  goods,  clothing,  etc.,  and  provisions  and 
groceries;  Rono  Logan,  groceries,  etc.;  Miles  Moore,  li(juors  and 
confectionai'ies;  ]Mike  Barrett,  dr}^  goods,  groceries,  etc.;  Israel 
Yanaway,  drugs,  medicines,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  etc.;  Mrs. 
Mary  Bradshaw,  milliner  and  dress  maker;  Charles  Hanker,  furniture 


214  HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

dealer;  Mat  Hurst,  saddler;  E.  B.  Jones,  druo^s,  medicines  and 
orooeries;  D.  H.  AVohlcr,  lioots  and  shoes  and  boot-maker;  Levi 
Ross,  irroeeries,  provisions,  eonfectionaries  and  ice-cream  saloon; 
R.  Bloonitield,  dry  .fifoods,  elotliin<r,  notions,  groceries,  etc.;  Sam 
Harvey,  oroceries,  provisions,  restaurant,  etc.;  Logan  &  Eskridge, 
drv  goods,  clothing,  notions  and  groceries;  R.  M.  &  C.  O.  Ray, 
liquors,  eonfectionaries,  tobacco  and  cigars,  etc.;  Dr.  J.  H.  Yanaway, 
druo-s,  medicines,  paints,  oil  and  groceries;  A.  A.  Lovins,  hardware, 
tinware,  tanning  utensils,  stoves,  etc;  ]Mrs.  ^leCartney,  milliner. 
We  have  one  No.  1  hotel,  the  '  Brown  House,'  two  printing  oifices, 
the  Cumberland  Democrat  and  the  3IaiI,  six  physicians,  ten  lawyers, 
and  four  preachers.  We  have  one  excellent  grist  mill,  with  as  good 
a  miller  as  there  is  in  the  State.  There  are  eighty-two  families 
inside  the  incorporate  limits  of  the  village,  namely,  those  of  William 
Shaw,  H.  B.  Decius,  L.  L.  Logan,  J.  H.  Yanaway,  Thomas  White, 
Rev.  J.  ]M.  Baker,  Charles  Selby,  Wiley  RosSj  Harris  Orr,  Josiah 
AVhite,  Lewis  Brookhart,  Alfred  PaAiie,  Andrew  Carson,  W.  H. 
]\lc Donald,  R.  Bloomfield,  Joseph  ^Morgan,  C.  Woods,  H.  T.  Woolen, 
Henry  Rhoads,  J.  L.  B.  Ellis,  :\I.  Hurst,  G.  E.  Mason,  W.  D.  Mum- 
ford,  A.  J.  Lee,  A.  G.  Caldwell,  Amos  Stead,  It  Long,  Wm.  Brown, 
Wm.  Peters,  ]M.  Barrett,  ]Mary  liradshaw,  Chas.  Hanker,  E.  B.  Jones, 
D.  H.  Wolei-s,  Levi  Ross,  D.  Bruster,  Polly  White,  X.  L.  Scranton, 
John  Prather,  A.  A.  Lovins,  Mary  Bright,  John  Lee,  D.  B.  Green, 
J.  AV.  jNlcCartney,  Betty  McCartney,  Samuel  Harvey,  Al  Rosen- 
crans,  Henry  Green,  D.  Corderman,  Joel  Smith,  AV.  Humphrey, 
Simony  Lee,  AVm.  Logan,  Fiavius  Tossey,  Ed.  Miles,  \o\  Clark. 
Chas.  Akins,  John  Berry,  F.  Baichley,  W.  H.  Shull,  Anna  Hannah. 
Bob  Ray,  ^Nlary  Croy,  ]\1.  B.  Ross,  AY.  L.  Bruster,  Sam  MeAlahon, 
R.  E.  &  ]\I.  L.  ]Mumford,  Elias  Armor,  AYiley  Shaw,  Rev.  Schlosser, 
Tom  Brewer,  Tom  Shiplor,  Coleman  Ray,  LcaWs  Harvey,  1).  li. 
Green,  AVm.  Richardson,  Geo.  Starger,  — —  Hays,  Perry  Cox,  A\'m. 
Cottenhara,  Levi  Brewer. 

On  the  10th  day  of  June,  1866,  a  public  meeting  was  held  al 
the  courthouse  to  determine  whether  the  town  should  be  incorpo- 
rated or  not,  and  a  vira  roce  vote  taken,  which  resulted  in  the  atKrma- 
tive.  \Vhereupon,  R.  Bloomfield  was  chosen  president  of  the  meet- 
ing aud  James  E.  Alumford,  clerk,  who  were  duly  (pialitied  to  poll 
the  legal  vote  of  the  town,  which  resulted  in  the  untinimous  voice 
•  for  incorporation.' 

The  Clerk  then  posted  up  notices  of  election  for  the  election 
of  five  trustees  of  said  town,  and  upon  the  23d  day  of  July,  1863,  an 


/ 


Illsrnin     ol"   Cl  .MliKK'I.WK    ('orNT^.  217 

• 

olcctioM  was  held,  and  llic  f'()ll()\vini>-  persons  clioscn  tnistoos.  vi/.: 
l^  IJIooniiicld.  M.  !>.  Koss.  .hxd  Smith.  ,1.  II.  Vaiiawuv,  and  L.  L. 
L()i;an.  Tpoii  the  first  nu'ctiiii!-  of  tlic  lioai'd.  wliicli  look  place  on 
the  2Stli  day  of  .July.  LSlli;,  it  was  found  that  L.  L.  Loaan  was  in- 
eliiiihle  to  serve  as  trustee  on  ac(.'onnt  of  not  having-  resided  in  the 
town  loiiii-  enouiili.  and  that  \\.  liloonitiidd  was  also  inelii>i'>U'  on  ac- 
count of  l)v'in_<i-  Probate  .ludi^-e  of  thi'  ("oinity:  whereupou  anew 
election  was  orchn'ed  to  take  ))lace  on  the  <sth  (hiy  of  August.  ISdii. 
for  a  new  lioard.  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  doel  Smith,  ]M.  V>. 
Koss,  1).  r>.  (ireen,  Jauu's  K.  Mumford  and  A.  (J.  ('aldwell,  as  trus- 
toe.s  of  said  tow  n.  who  were  duly  swoi'u  in  as  such,  and  on  the  iMst 
day  of  Auiiu^t  the  lioiu'd  met,  oi-_£>aiiiz('d  aud  electetl  D.  IV  (Jrecn. 
President.  A.  (i.  Ctildwcdl.  Clerk,  and  M.  B.  Ross.  Treasurer,  and  ap- 
pointed ('.  S.  Mumford.  street  connuissioner.  and  Tlionias  \\'hite. 
town  cousta1)le. 

'idle  village  has  been  considerably  end)arrasseil  to  secure  a  name 
that  would  harnioui/e  all  interests.  Theori<>-inal  nanu'  of  the  town. 
Prairie  City,  was  found  to  coidlict  at  thepost-afliee  depai'tment  with 
another  village  in  the  State,  and  in  establishina-  an  olHcc  here  hit 
upon  t  he  name  of  Mtijority  Point  as  its  desio-nation.  This,  of  course, 
)Jecam(>  to  the  outside  world  the  name  of  the  \  illaiic  l)ut  to  the 
citizens  tlu-re  was  a  distiuetion  which  leoal  forms  reipiired  to  bi- 
maintained.  In  the  early  i)ai't  of  1S74.  a  mei'tinii-  of  the  citizens  was 
had  to  remedy  this  defect.  'I'here  was  a  wide  diHerence  in  the  choice 
of  names,  but  the  issue  was  tiually  narrowed  down  to  a  (  hoice  l>e- 
tween  Toledo  and  Ahijority  Point,  the  final  vote  bcino-  thirty-nine  in 
favor  of  the  former  and  seventeen  in  favor  of  the  latter.  A  feu 
weeks  later  the  postoHice  of  the  villai^-e  was  named  in  harun>ny  with 
the  lU'W  name  adopted.  Subs(>(iuenlly  when  the  railroad  was  put 
in  operation.  I)\-  some  ijravc  carelessness  the  material  for  this 
station  was  printed  ^lajority  Point,  and  now  the  three  names  of 
I*rairie  City.  Toledo,  and  Majoi'ity  Point  vex  the  citizen  and  confuse 
the  sti*ani;-er. 

In  I'cportini;-  thi-  (dian<>'e  of  name,  the  Dprnorrat  takes  pains  to 
i;i\(' the  sionitirance  of  the  new  name  as  follows:  "The  word  "Toledo" 
is  of  Hebrew  orii^iu,  and  in  the  oriiiinal  lanunaijc.  is  proiu)unced 
'  7o-/rw/o///.'  the  interpretation  or  meaniui:'  of  which  is  •  o'enera- 
tions,"  ■  tiimilies."  •  race>."  The  Latin  pi'onunciation  of  the  woid 
is  '  7o-/e-^^/>//.'  the  ."*^[)anish  pronmiciatiou  of  the  word  is  •'r<)-h(-tli>' 
the  Kniilisji  pronunciati(ni  of  the  word  is  'I'o-lk-do,  and  means  thai 
the  n-eueration  of   men   now  inhabitini:   this  town   and  \  icinity  ha\e 

13 


21,S  mSTOin    ol'   Cl'^rHEKLANI)   coixtV. 

fhaiiiTPfl  tlio  uncouth  and  inapi)ro|>viat('  nnnic  of  our  town  and 
post-office,  to  Olio  of  historical  note.  Ihal  i>  easily  spolh-d.  easily  i)ro- 
iK.iinccd.  and  will  l»i'  easily  adopted. 

••  The  Spanish  City  of  Tolkdo  is  noted  for  its  superior  swords, 
;ind  its  famous    'Toledo  Bladks  '  have  a  world-Avidc  re])utation. 
The  Spanish  Republic  recently  presented  President  Grant  with  one 
of  these  elegant  swords,  through  its  former  patriotic  President,  Senor 
Castelar.     So  we  have  a  name  for  our  town  not  only  of  ancient  and 
siiiuiticant  origin,  but  one  of  historical  interest."     The  editor  seems 
to   have  overlooked   the   special    ai)[)ropriateness   of  the   name,    it 
another  legend  which  is  asserted  with  a  good  deal  of  assurance  be 
true.     It  is  said  that  when  the  -'  oldest  inhabitant  "  arrived  tit  this 
spot,  he  said  to  himself,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  heaving  mass  of  green, 
emerald-genuned.  as  it  were,  with  frogs:   "^Now  lettest  Thou  Thy 
servant  depart  in  i)eace,  since  I  have  seen  this  great  country,  tlowing 
with  mud  and  frogs."     Suddenly  addressing  himself  to  the  little 
troo-s,  who  had  been  sitting  on  their  hunkers,  gazing  at  him  in  unaf- 
fected astonishment,  unable  to  speak  a  word,  he  said  :  "  ]My  children, 
what  do  you  call  this  land  :^ "      And   as  he  turned,  each   little  frog 
Hipped    its    hinder-parts    into    the    air    and    chippered    gleefully. 
"  T  "  leedo  '.  "  T  "  leedo  !"  And  ever  afterward  the  name  of  that  place 
was  called  Toledo.  ^ 

The  villaire  is  now  showing  evidences  of  rai)id    imi)rovement. 
The  business  houses  are  disposed  about  the  co\n-thouse  square.    Thus 
far,  frame  buildings  have  satisfied  the  merchants,  some  of  which  are 
of  a  somewhat  antiquated  ])attern.  but  the  coming  year  will  see  con- 
siderable  improvement    in    this  direction.      One  or  two   tine    brick 
blocks  are  projected,  and  material   now  being  placed  prei)aratoiT  to 
building.     The  grist-mill  is  to  be  replaced  by  a  fine  bri<'k  one.  near 
the  railroad,  witli  all  the  modern  imi)rovements.     A  tine  iron  fence 
about  the  i)ublic  square  will  soon  add  to  its  attraction,  and  with  the 
impetus  given   by  a    new  courthouse  and  jail,  urgently  neediMl  and 
certainly  soon  to  be  built,  the  county-seat  will  not  only  be  the  capi- 
tal, but  clearly  the  metropolis  of  the  county.    In  the  matter  of  inter- 
*    nal  improvements,  but    little  has  been  attempted.     Sidewalks  have 
been  built,  and  are  in  fair  rt'pair;  the  streets  have  been  '•  piked  ""  and 
<lraiiied  by   oi)en   ditches;  slock  is  allowed  the   liberty   of  the  city, 
and  hogs   are   especially  numerous  and  annoying.     There  is  now  a 
movemeiil  to  al)ate  the  latter  nuisance,  and  when  effected  there  will 
be  at  lea>t   moi<'  inducement   to  ornament  enclosures  and  keep  the 
marufin  of  the  walks  in  neat  ajipearanee. 


uisTonv  OF  fr^ri'.F.ni.AND  rorxr^'.  219 

Ne.ofjn. — This  villago  is  pleasantly  situatctl  on  tlio  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  npon  the  western  conHnes  of  the  county,  and  boasts  of 
heini!  thr  lari>-est  lowii  in  po[)Mlatioii  in  tlio  county,  as  avcH  as  one  of 
its  principal  connnereial  centers.     Situated,  as  it  is,  in  the  midst   ot 
one  of  the  finest  ai>Tieultural  reuions  in  the  State,  with  an  energetic, 
go  ahead,  intelligent  farming   po])ulation    to  hack    it.  it    has  all  the 
materia]   advantages  abundantly  supplied  to  contribute  to  its  com- 
mercial and  social  prosi)eritv.     The  village  was  platted  in  1<S')(),  on 
land  owned  by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and  Bacon  &  Jennings, 
speculators,  who  had  purchased  the   land.     The  name   is  of   Indian 
(nMgin,and  signities  -a  deer."'    The  station  bore  this  name  before  the 
town  was  thought  of,  but  is   quite  appropriate   to  the  region  where 
deer  were  once  so  numerous.     The  first  train  of  car>  ran  through  the 
place  August  1.  I8r)4,  and  killed  a   bull   belonging   to  S.  Parks.      It 
appears    that    the   bidl    was    of  a    belligerent  disposition,   and   had 
learned  to  lock  horns  with  everything  that  crossed  its  ])athAvay.   But 
this  was  an  untried  experiment,  and  he   found   himself  worsted  and 
sent    to  the  pastures  of  his  fathei's  to  graze  iu  piece.s.     The  tirst 
dwelling-house  erected  in  the  viihige  Avas  built  by  Dr.  G.  W.  Albin. 
The  tirst  business  house  was  1)uilt  by  AVm.  House,  who  also  opened 
the  lirst  store;  the  tirst  hotel  was  ])uilt  and  kept  by  C.  D.  Green,  Sr.; 
the  first  postmaster  was  (t.  W.  Albin;  the  tirst  Justiee  of  the  ]*eace 
was  Philii)  AA'elcheimer,  the  first  sermon  ever  preached  in  the  plaee 
was  delivered  by  Rev.  Joseph  AVilson,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church; 
the  tirst  station  agent  was  Cajit.  Ileutig;  the  first  church  Avas  Iniilt 
by  the  Presbyterians  in   1S."')4  ;  and  the  fii*st  saloon  ever  kept  in  the 
village  was  owned  by  T.  Patterson.     In  lS(j8,  the  Methodist  denomi- 
nation erected  a  fine  place  of  worshi]),  and  the  Baptist  in  1872.     The 
following  interesting  sketch  of  the   Presbyterian  (-hurch  is  written 
by* Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  and  is  given  i)lace,  as  follows:     '*  The  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Xeoga  originated  in  two  p»arts.     The  first  part  was 
organized  .\pril  .").  18r)l,  by  the  Rev.   John  JI.  Russ,  of  Alton  Pres- 
bytery, at  the  house  of  John  G.  Morrison,  at  Long  Point,  about  four 
miles  southeast  of  Neoga,     The  spot  was  central  to  the  population, 
and  Imd  begun  to  ))e  a  center  of  business.     The  original  ten  members 
of  the  ehundi   were.  Jno.  (i.  Morrison   and    I"iliza    N.  Morrison,  his 
wife;  James  II.  Morrison  and   Sarah  C.  Morrison,   his  wife;   Nathan 
Goidd  and   Martha  R.  Gould,  his  wife;   Sarah  Moi-rison,    Mtirgaret 
Morrison,  Tirzah  ^Morrison  and  Marv  Ann  Parkerson.     Xalhan  Goidd 
and  Jolm  G.  Morrison  were  chosen  elders.     The  church  voted  to  I)e 
called  ' 'i'he  Presbyterian   ('Inn'cii  of  Long  Point.*  .ind  to  apply  to 


220  HISTORY    OF    Cl'.MBElil.AM)    COL  X'H  . 

tho  "\Va])ash  Pivs])ytovv  to  Ik-  taken  inidor  its  care.  ]\v\ .  Joliii  H. 
Riiss  siij)])lio(l  the  church  for  two  years,  one-fourth  of  tlie  tin)(>;  Ke\ . 
Joseph  NN'ilson  was  supply  for  one-half  of  the  time,  from  the  Spi-ino- 
of  18o4  till  Oetoher,  IHi'A),  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months 
between  8epteml)er,  1857,  and  A})ril,  lsr)<S,  (hn-inii-  whieh  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Ward  was  su})|)ly  for  the  whole  time.  l)nrin<r  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  AVilson,  a  church  l)nildin<»- was  erected  at  Xeoi;a.  in  si/e  liftv-tive 
feet  hy  thirty-six,  at  a  cost  of  nearly  S.'J.OOO.  It  was  dedicated  April 
29,  1S(>0,  dnrino- a  session  of  \\'abash  Presl)vter\'  with  thai  <  hurch. 
The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached  by  Kcn  .  W .  R.  Palmer,  ol 
Danville.  The  Presbytery  chani>ed  the  name  of  the  church  to  '  The 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Xeooa.'  The  chani;-e  was  made  because 
Neojia  had  been  established  as  a  station  of  the  Central  Railroad,  and 
was  the  more  promisinij-  church  center,  as  well  as  business  center. 
October  1,  1<S(;,'),  Kev.  , lames  P>.  lirandt  became  supply  pastor. 

•'  The  other  i)art  of  the  Neo<>-a  church  was  or^-anized  Se])tend)i'r 
oU,  1857,  by  Rev.  James  jNlcDonald  and  Ehlers  I.  d.  Monfort  and 
David  Dryden,  connnittee  of  Palestine  Presbytery,  with  tlies(>  thir- 
teen members,  viz:  dames  ^^'ilson,  Ann  AVilson,  Jonathan  l\.  Dry- 
den, Nancy  F.  Dryden,  Ihinnah  M.  Dryden,  Andrew  H.  (iray,  ]\Iary 
Gray,  Jose[)h  (iribson,  Maria  d.  (iibson,  fb>hn  H.  Mc(^uo\\n.  Robert 
M.  Hunter,  Sarah  Hunter,  Sarah  C.  (xrciMie.  dames  Wilson.  John 
H.  McQuown  and  Jose])h  (iibson  were  chosen  elders.  Rev.  R.  K. 
Lilly,  of  Champaign,  sup[)li(Ml  the  church  one-half  the  lime  durini:- 
the  tirst  year;  Uev.  John  Elliott,  of  Pleasant  Prairie,  one-half  the 
time  for  about  three  years.  Rev.  Nathaniel  \\'iHiams.  of  Mattoon. 
was  sup])ly  when  this  chundi  unit(Ml  with  tlie  First  Church. 

"Up  to  fluue  II,  18ill),  Ht'tcen  years,  the  First  Church  of  XeoLia, 
N.  S.,  had  received  110  mend>ers,  and  the  ('hurch  of  Ncoira.  O.  S., 
had  received  tVn'ty-eia'ht  members.  At  that  date  the  two  churHies 
became  one.  anticipatino- the  re-union  of  the  two  hi-anches  ol'  llie 
Presbyterian  Church  hy  about  four  years.  Accordiui;-  lo  ])re\  ions 
arran«»"ements,  the  elders  of  both  churches  resiji'neil;  the  uni((Ml  church 
voted  to  connect  with  ^^'abash  Presbytery.  Si-Ncn  eldei's  Avere 
chosen,  four  from  the  X.  S.  part  of  the  church  and  three  iVoni  the 
().  S,  part.  They  wcri':  dohn  (i.  Morrison,  Ivlie  Slewai-t,  .Vlexan- 
der  W.  Kwini;-.  William  Clark,  Joseph  (iibson,  John  R.  Mitidu'lland 
James  Kwini:-.  Re\ .  John  P>.  IJrandt  was  (diosen  minister,  lie 
remained  initil  OiMober.  l<Sii7.  Re\ .  W  ]\\.  l\.  Paris  succeeded  him  in 
Di'cendn'r,  1<S(>)S,  and  remained  until  his  death,  XoNcndxM'  I.  1<S71. 
December  28.  1871,   Rev.   X.  S.    Dickev   was  enii'aiicd  for  one    \ear. 


HISTOKV    OV    f  rMIJKKLAM)    (  Ol'NTV.  221 

Dcfciulx'r  ;)I.  ISTi?.  \v-\ .  .1.  M.  .loliMstm  Ix-camc  piistor,  and  ^^till 
n'inains.  Tli<'  roturv  svslciii  of  cldci-shi))  was  adopttM]  I)v  thcchuivh. 
The  prcsi'iit  iiiiinl);'!'  ot"  mciubcr-'  is  1  12." 

TIio  Methodist  Ki)is<()pal  ('liuivh  of  Noou-a  is  conti-ilmtcd  as  fol- 
lows: '*  The  first  class  was  fonucd  in  the  villau-c  sidioolliousc,  about 
the  year  ls,")i;,  l>v  doscpli  Uislio]),  a  "local  prcaclior  from  the  Loni^- 
Point  nciuhhorhood.  four  miles  southeast  of  the  villa iic.  and  who 
died  in  iSil^,  and  d.  Wesley  Turner,  an  exhortcr  IVoin  the  same 
neiuhhorhood,  who  is  now  a  physieian  in  Fainnount,  III.  The  (das.s 
was  (piite  small  at  the  beuinninir.  but  soon  inereasod  in  numbers. 
Anu)n.<i-  the  iirst  members  were:  d.  T.  Waller,  now  an  eniiineer  on 
the  Louisvill(>  c^  Xashville  Kiilwa\  :  Fletcher  Clem,  Miss  :\Iaria 
Waller,  Mrs.  ^^'ln.  Ik'H,  Miss  Sarah  K.  liell.  Miss  Hannah  liell,  Mr.s. 
Lucretia  Davis  ami  Wni.  Hiiii^ins.  S.  T.  Allinof,  a  physician,  came 
to  Neoii-a  about  this  time,  and  became  station  a_n(Mit  lor  the  Illinois 
(Vntral  Ktiilroad,  which  position  he  continued  to  hold  for  abo\il 
twenty  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allini:-  were  mend)ers  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  may  truly  be  said  to  have  been  the  nrainstay  of  the 
Church  in  Xeoiia  for  many  years. 

•'  Key.  (VXeil  was  the  first  preaeher  in  chariie,  and  [)rea«died  in 
the  villao-e  schoolhouse  every  two  weeks.  .Vftei'  the  Presbyterian 
brethren  erected  their  house  of  worshii),  it  was  allowed  to  be  used 
by  the  Methodists  for  some  years,  but  afterw^ards,  for  some  reji.son, 
its  use  was  denied  them.  They  then  used  the  seho<dhouse,  the  hall 
and  the  Illinois  Central  Uailway  depot  until  the  buildinii-  of  their 
present  house  of  worship  in  18iiS.  The  following-  ministers,  amon^- 
others,  have  served  the  Xeoi>a  Methodist  Church:  l\ey.  Wm.  Mit<di- 
ell,  two  years;  Amos  Weeden,  one  year;  d.  Mnirliead,  one  year;  d.  T. 
Orr,  oiH'  year;  Charles  Vantreese,  one  year;  Is:iiah  V'illars,  two  \-ears; 
Key.  MoriiJin,  one  year  ;  d.  F.  McCann,,  one  year;  R.  C.  St.  Clair, 
one  year;  Salem  lled<res.  two  years;  Peter  Slavic,  one  year; 
d.  W.  Anderson,  two  years;  Uriah  Warrin«iton.  one  year; 
Frank  Pooiman,  one  year;  ,1.  ( ).  Collins,  two  years.  11.  C.  Tm-ner 
i.>  the  present  pastor,  who  is  just  elosini:-  up  his  seeond  year.  The 
Methodist  Sabbath-school  was  bei>un  in  isiis.  with  Dr.  S.  T.  Allini;-. 
now  of  Champaiiiii.  111.,  as  su[)erintendent.  which  [)()sition  he  contin- 
ued to  till  very  etliciently  for  about  ten  years,  C.  1).  (ireene  was  his 
successor,  and  he  in  tm-n  Avas  succeeded  by  Ilandine  dones,  the  jires- 
cnt  superintendent.     The  school   is  in  a  tlourishini>-  condition. 

•'  Duriuir  the  pastorate   of  the    Rev.   Tsaiah  Villars,   18(J7-l<S(ill. 
the   present  house  of  worshii)  was  begun  and  completed.     It   is  a 


222  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

substantial  brick  struotiiro,  situated  on  the  avcsI  ^idc  ol"  tlir  villasrp; 
dimensions,  thirty-six  feet  l)y  sixty  foi't,  and  cost  So,()()0. 

"The  society  nunibcrs  at  the  ju-esent  time  about  seventy-tive 
members,  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  It  is  only  just  to  record 
the  taet  that  in  Ihe  erection  of  the  church  building,  Dr.  Ailing, 
Henry  Reynolds,  uncle  'Jacky'  "^'oung  and  others  bore  a  leading- 
part  in  biMring  the  tinancial  burdens  incurred  in  the  enterprise.  The 
present  lioard  of  Trustees  consists  of  the  following  ii-entlemcn  : 
Jose])h  M.  Young,  C.  D.  Greene,  AVni.  H.  Singer,  Ilaniline  .lones  and 
Wesley  Hickernell." 

Xeoo-a  takes  the  lead  amonii'  the  \  illaiics  of  tin-  eountx'  in  neal- 
ness,  in  the  moral  tone  of  its  community,  and  in  business  thrift.  The 
men  who  tirst  pitched  their  tents  here,  and  were  principally  instru- 
nienlal  in  forming  the  early  character  of  the  connnunity,  were  men 
(»f  culture,  and  the  popular  taste  leads  to  the  su[)port  of  schools  and 
churches,  of  puldic  inn)rovements,  and  to  oi)pose  those  institutions 
that  lead  to  a  contrary  result.  Stock  is  closed  out  of  the  streets,  the 
sidewalks  are  in  good  re[)air,  and  the  village  has  a  thrifty  appear- 
ance. Among  the  earliest  citizens  of  the  village  are  named:  P. 
Welchimer,  G.  W.  Albin,  S.  D.  Parks.  Wni.  Bell,  John  Young,  C. 
1).  Green.  H.  G.  M.  Reynolds.  Thomas  Templeton,  James  Hart, 
Simson  Kingery,  James  Ewing,  J.  G.  Morrison,  Wm.  Higgins,  S.  T. 
Ailing,  J.  K.  Rogers,  N.  C  Greene,  S.  D.  Taylor,  Samuel  Dryden, 
Thomas  Lacv,  etc. 

Situated  upon  the  earliest  line  of  lailroad  constructed  through 
the  territory  of  the  county,  the  village  had  unrivaled  advantages  to 
grow,  and  considering-  that  its  origin  was  more  of  a  speculation  than 
a  demand  of  the  situation,  it  has  made  the  most  of  its  advantages. 
In  187.").  the  business  of  the  village  was  Munmed  up  as  follows:  •'  2 
druiif  stores,  o  drv  goods  stores.  1  hardware  store,  '2  confectionerv 
stores.  2  millinery  stores,  1  furniture  store.  I  banking  house.  2  grain 
esta])lishments,  1  tailor  shop,  2  shoe  shoi)s,  4  blacksmith  shops.  1 
silversmith.  1  mantuamaker,  2  wagon  sho[)s.  2  steam  floui-  mills.  2 
hotels.  1  livery  stable,  1  printing  ottice,  o  sewing  machine  ofhces.  1 
jail  house,  (not  very  often  used),  'A  lawyers,    !  ministers. 

"  Xeoga  can  boast  of  two  as  good  grist-mills  as  there  are  in  the 
country.  The  Neoga  mill,  owned  by  Singer,  A\'aller  tVc Co.,  is  a  tine 
establishment,  and  has  a  capacity  of  tifty  barrels  of  Hour,  and  100 
barrels  of  meal,  ])er  day  of  twebc  hom-s  run.  It  is  sup])lie(l  with  a 
ste^un  dryer  for  corn  meal,  a  Horn*  packei',  and  other  modern  iniproxc- 
ments.     The  \eoi>a  (Jitv  Mills,  owned  )n   D.  ^^' .  IJaiisdale,  is  also, a 


HISTORY    OF    riMBEHLAM)    COUNTY.  223 

vorv  fine  mill,  and  is  noted  for  its  •r,,,),!  work."  Tlicr.'  aro  now  twelve 
hnsiness  hons(>s,  .uid  a  <rrisl-niill  willi  a  capacity  of  sixty  barrels  of 
Hour,  and  120  bushels  of  meal  per  day.  It  is  provided  with  the 
roller  jjrocess.  The  village  was  incorporated  A[)ril  17,  1S()1),  by  an 
aot  of  the  legislature. 

Jin in.'^hnrf/.— Th\s  was  located  near  Shiloh  ('hurch,  in  Sumpter 
Township,  in  l.s.")tJ)y  Henry  Williams.  II  consisted  of  eighty  lots, 
and  was  projected  as  a  competitor  for  the  county-seat  in  the  election 
(.f  ISA."),  but  it  failed  of  this  notoriety  and  lapsed  into  its  original 
i-ural  simplicity. 

(fciifcrrillc  was  another  of  the  competitors  lor  the  sulVrage  ol 
the  people  in  the  county-seat  contest  of  IS.V),  and  was  phitted  on  the 
northeast  (piarter  of  Section  2(;,  in  Townshii)  10  north.  Range  .s 
east,  in  IS.')!.  The  ambitious  village  had  its  site  in  Sumpter 
Township,  near  the  '•  Muddy  Bridge,"  and  is  often  referred  to  as 
••  Hildad,"  though  Ichabod  is  written  over  its  history. 

I[a::d  i>e//.- -Following  the  chronological  order  mixes  the  living 
with  the  dead  ;  those  whose  existenoe  Avas  (mly  in  the  records,  and 
others  that  remain  to  this  day.  Of  the  latter  (dass  is  the  village 
mentioned.  It  was  platted  in  ISliii,  on  the  D.,  O.  &  ()•  R-  Railroad, 
in  Crooked  Creek  Township.  It  consisted  of  some  sixty  lots  origi- 
nally, and  has  in  the  meanwhile  grown  beyond  the  original  limits 
somewhat,  and  is  a  thriving  village  with  its  comi)lenient  of  stores, 
shops,  (duirehes  and  grist-mill. 

JdiiesviUe  is  a  village  on  the  county-line,  in  Cottonwood  Town- 
ship. It  was  laid  out  in  1H7!I.  by  John  Furray.  on  the  line  of  the 
railroad— P.,  1).  eSc  E.,— on  land  belonging  to  him,  in  (!oles  County. 
At  the  same  time,  S.  P.  Reed  laid  out  an  addition    in   Cmnberland 

County. 

iJiotia  is  another  \illage  grown  up  on  the  county-line  m  I  nion 
Township.  It  has  never  been  platted,  but  it  is  one  of  those  sponta- 
neous growths  that  arise  in  response  to  the  demand  of  an  agricultu- 
r.il  connnmiity  for  a  rallying  point.  A  post-othce  and  store,  with  a 
cluster  of  houses,  mark  the  spot. 

Br(i<lhiir;i  is  the  name  of  a  [)ost-ortice  in  the  central  part  of  Cot- 
tonwood Townshi)).  A  store,  two  dwellings  and  a  blacksmith  shop, 
mark  the  s])ot. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


CITY  OF  TOLEDO  AND   SUMPTER   TOWNSHIP. 

.lOllX  F.  ASin\'ILL.  fai-mcr  .-iikI  (l<'i)iitv  .sluTill"  of  ("iinihcr- 
lainl  County.  w:is  honi  in  Delaware  (  ounty.  Ohio,  Jiinuary  11.  Is.").'): 
son  of  Ixoherl  and  .Mai-y  ,].  (A\'liite)  .Vsliwill,  is  the  ehlest  in  a  fam- 
ily ol"  nine  rhihjren,  and  is  ol'  KniiJish-Gernian  origin.  'I'iie|)arenl> 
of  Mr.  Asliwill  came  to  ('und)erland  County  from  Ohio  in  iMili. 
remained  one  year,  and  then  removed  to  AN'ilson  County.  Kansas. 
They  still  I'eside  there,  ^^'hen  the  suhjeet  of  this  notice  was  ele\cn 
vears  of  ;i<j;v  he  came  to  ( 'ninl>erland  Conntv  Avith  his  parents:  he 
went  to  Kansas  with  them  and  remained  until  is?.!,  when  he  re- 
turned to  ('uml)erland  ( "onnty.  Illinois,  and  here  he  has  since  resided. 
The  lite  of  Mr.  Asliwill  in  Kanstis  was  that  of  a  farmer.  lie  was 
married  Se[)teml)er  i^").  l-SS^.  to  ^Nliss  Viola  Docius,  daniihter  of  .Indite 
II.  B.  Decius  and  Harriet  Deeius.  Mrs.  Ashwill  was  born  in  Toh'do, 
Illinois.  Iler  i)arents  were  anion i;-  the  most  ]irominent  citizens  of 
Cumberland  County.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  viz.: 
Orreii.  The  same  is  deceased;  died  July  oO,  ISS^.  Politically.  ]Mr. 
.\shwill  is  [a  Ke[)ublican:  east  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Hayes. 
Ill  danuary,  IST-S,  Mr.  Aslnvill  wasappointed  deputy  sheriti"  of-Cuni- 
l)erland  County.  This  position  he  still  retains:  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F..  Toledo  Lod<>-e,  No.  ;>."),").  Mr.  Ashwill  owns  :VM)  acres  of 
ifood  land  in  close  ])ro\imit3'  to  Toledo:  he  is  of  an  industrious, 
enterprisini;- spirit,  in  o-ood  eireumstanees,  and  one  of  the  most  in- 
lluential  yoiiui;-  men  of  Cumberland  County. 

J.  H.  .\T('IIIS()\,  attoi'iiey-at-law.  isa  natixcof  Irtdand.  From 
the  most  reliable  information  that  <-an  be  obtained  is  drawn  the  con- 
(dusion,  that  the  subject  of  our  notice  was  born  in  ls,");5.  His  earlv 
life  is  not  w(dl  known  and  seems  to  him  as  leo-endary.  When  very 
yoiinii'  he  left  his  iiativ<'  counti'y  in  company  with  his  parents  for 
America.  1  )iiriiii;-  t  he  voyao-e  his  fat  her  died,  and  was  followed  in 
death  by  hi- mot  licr  soon  after  reacliiiia'  New  \'ork  City.  After  the 
death  of  his  mother  he  was  ])lace(l  in  t  he  Childreirs  Home  in  tlie.Mc- 
tro|»olis.     In  the  fall  of  ls,")!i,  he  w  ms  sent  as  one  of  a  lari^c  numl)er 


CITV    or   TOLEDO    AM)    NUMPTKH    lOWNSHIP.  22^ 

of  frifiulloss  cliildroii  from  New  York  Citv  to  Daiivillr.  Illinois,  and 
was  ii"iv(Mi  a  Icniporarv  homo  in  the  lamily  of  lv(>v.  Kin«^sbi'iTy. 
a  IVosbytcrian  divine.  This  clcrufynian  was  then  i)rcaehini>  at  Xeo^a, 
Ciimherland  County,  111.,  and  soon  succeeded  in  sccnrinj^  a  home 
for  the  suhjeit  of  this  mention  in  tiie  family  of  a  man  wlio  lived 
al>ont  five  miles  from  Neoaa  by  the  name  of  ,I()hnson,  and  with 
whom  he  lived  only  a  short  time  when  he  went  to  live  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nathan  Cfould,  andin  whose  family  he  stayed  until  he  was  eight- 
een years  of  aiic  wIkmi  he  boaan  the  scenes  of  life  for  himscdf; 
worked  on  a  farm  in  the  sunnnerand  attended  school  in  the  lo^r  school- 
house  duriuii- the  cold  months.  Durinii'  the  winter  of  IS72-78,  he 
tauiiht  his  first  school.  The  same  was  at  HrowiTs  schoolhoux'  in 
Coltonwood  Township.  For  a  number  of  years  he  t a uiiht  school, 
in  bs?.'),  he  beiian  the  sl\idvof  the  law  at  Toleclo,  Cumberland  Count  v, 
in  the  office  of  Loiian  tSc  Scranton:  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 
September,  I.s7(5.  lie  is  now  a  i)artner  in  the  law  business  with 
.lndii(>  L.  L.  Loiran.  and  is  enjoyin<»-  an  extensive  [)ractici'.  He  was 
nrirried  July  2,  IS?."),  to  Miss  Mimiie  M.  >ryler.  To  the  marria,a-e  has 
been  born  four  children,  viz.:  Dora  B.,  Arthm"  .V.,  Lulu  C.aud  fJen- 
nie  I.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  thorouiih  Rci)ublican  and  one 
of  the  most  prominent  youni>-  lawyers  of  his  judicial  district. 

HON.  THOMAS  BREWER^  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Indiana,  was  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  was  born 
Novend)er  I.").  ISll),  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Nhlvniuht)  Brewer, 
and  is  of  Scotch- Hnulish  extraction.  The  parents  of  Mr.  lirewer 
were  of  North  Cai-olina  birth.  In  l.s.'lS.  they  cmiiirated  to  Coles 
(now  Cund)erlan(l)  County,  Illinois,  and  settled  five  miles  north  of 
Oreenup.  In  this  county  the  i)arents  of  ]Mr.  Brewer  died,  mother  in 
l'S4.">,  and  father  in  l'S74.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  our  notice  was 
one  of  the  i)r()miuent  men  and  pioneers  of  (^nnberland  County. 
When  the  nineteenth  birthday  of  Mr.  Brewer  canu'  around  it  found 
him  hard  at  work,  and  earnini>-  his  own  way  through  life  aiul  work- 
\\\rr  for  himself.  The  first  year  he  worked  by  the  mouth  on  a  farm. 
The  marriaire  of  Mr.  Brewer  was  solenmizod  September  H,  1.S14,  to 
Miss  Mary  Ilutton.  To  this  union  was  born  nine  children,  vi/,.: 
G(M)r«>:e,  William,  Li'vi  N.,  Sarah  K.,  John  W.,  Mary  L..  Ihinid  J.. 
Melvin  and  Thomas.  Mrs.  Brewer  cVuhI  in  November,  IMiJ.  Two 
years  later  Mr.  Brewer  was  married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  K.  Kirklina',  who 
was  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  Four  years  from  this  time  Mrs.  Brewer 
died.  In  January,  1S7.'?,  he  was  niarried  to  his  ))resent  wife,  a  .Mrs. 
Mar\  Smith,  whose  maiden  name  was  Bloxom.     Thev  have  had  four 


22fi  BIOGRAPHKAr.    SKKTfHKS — CTMBEnLAND    rOlNTV: 

cliildrcn.  vi/,.:  ;iii  iiilaiil.  that  dicil  iiiuiaiiH'tl.  lifll.  Luorotia  B.  and 
Walter.  'I'Im'  ^^iibjci't  of  our  notice  is  a  tliorouLili  Dnuocrat.  In 
1  Shi.  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  IVaee.  In  lsls.hr  was  County 
(\)roner.aud(decteil  Associate  Judiiciu  isHl.  In  is.");;,  he  was  elected 
Sherilf  of  the  county.  In  IS.').'),  he  bciian  practicino-  law  at  Grceuu]). 
in  partnership  with  K.  II.  Starkweather.  In  IsiiT  he  came  to 
Toledo,  and  has  l>e(Mi  in  acti\<' practice  since,  save  t  wo  years.  In  1S.")7. 
he  represented  the  counlies  of  ( "nnd) 'rland  and  Sludby  i]i  the  Lower 
House  of  the  State  (Jeneral  Assembly.  In  1.S72,  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  S;'uate  from  ('uud)erlan(l.  Sludhy  and  Kftinuham  counties. 
For  thirtv  years  he  has  heen  inaetive  politics,  and  was  nominated  for 
couiiress  in  ISdS.  .Mr.  Urewer  has  loui^- heen  kuowii  as  one  of  the 
prominent  men  of  eastern  Illinois:  was  a  warm  personal  friend  ol 
Steplien  A.  Douglas.  I  le  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  lias 
heen  a  mend)er  of  the  Methodist  Ki)iscopalChurch  for  thirty-five  years. 
History  is  iniomplete  without  a  notice  of  this  noble  and  charitable 
man.     His  works  do  follow  him. 

LEVI    \.  BKLWKH.  attorney -at-iaw.  wa>  born  in   ('nnd)erhind 
County.  Illinois,  danuaiw  l^.\.    ls.")().  is   the  son   of  Hon.  Thomas  and 
Maiy  (Tlutton)  Brewer,  i^-  the  third  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and 
of  Scotch-Kiiiili^h  descent.     Mr.  Brewer  beuan  the  labors  of  life  for 
himself  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  aii'e,  carryiuii'  on   farming-  for  a 
number  of  years.      In  1  ST-i.  he  beuan  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  olHce 
of  .hulii-e  II.  I).  Decius:  wasadmitted  to  practice  at  the  Cumberland 
Connty  Bar  in  1S7(>.  and  at  once  formed  a  partnershij)  with  Jnd,i:t> 
Decius.     Tile  partnership  lasted  imtil    1S7S,  when  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  his  father,  \\hich  existed  until    ISSI.  since  whi<di  time 
Mr.  Brewer  has   ))een   alone   in    the    practice.      He    was    married   in 
March,  1S7().  to   Miss  Kli/.a  A.  \'andyke,  daughter  of  John  and  Mar- 
•i-aret  Vandyke.      Mrs.  Brewer  is  also  a  nati\ c  of  Cund)erlau(l  C-ounty. 
Illinois.     They  have   six  children,  three  boys  and  three  irirls.  vi/.: 
N(dlie,  Mollie.   Carrie.  John.  Thomas,  and  (lolden.      Mr.  lirewcr  is  a 
Democrat.    He  has  moi-e  tiian  an  ordinary  education;  is  of  an  cutcM- 
prisin«i-    spirit,   one   of    the    first    lawyers    in    Cmnberland    County, 
and  on<'    of  Toledo's    most    prominent    citizens.      The    pros[)ects  of 
Ml',    lirewer  as  a  lawyer  and  a  ])olitician  are  most  brilliant. 

WILLIAM  L.  iilU'STLK,  Circuit  Clerk,  is  a  native  of  Coles 
(ounty.  Illinois.  l)()rn  Decemlx'r  10,  isl'.l.  son  of  David  and  Lli/a- 
beth  (Glenn)  Bruster.  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  two  children,  and 
is  of  Germiin-Irish  lineajjc  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of  the 
subject  of  our  notice,  in  ls,")(;.  he  came  to  (Annberland  County,  Illinois, 


CITY    OF    TOLEDO    AM)    Sl'MPTER   TOWNSHIP.  227 

and  tor  :i  (iiuc  he  lived  witli  and  worl^i'il  lor  an  uikIi'.  In  l-Soli, 
Mr.  Hnistcr  came  to  Praiiic  ( 'ity  (  now  ToU-do),  and  t'or  t  wo  vcars  his 
time  was  dixidcd  botwccn  attciidini:-  (he  cominon  district  m-IiooI  and 
clcrkiiii;'  in  his  tuthcrs  store.  In  1-S71,  he  hpcamc  a  |)artncr  in  ^cn- 
cral  iiu'rcliaM(hsin«i-  withliis  father.  The  nKirriauc  ot"  Mr.  lirustcr  oc- 
curred June  IS,  lS(;s,  to  ^Nliss  Sarah  K.  Brewer,  (huifrhter  of  Hon. 
Thomas  and  Ahuy  Hrewer.  Mrs.  Uruster  is  a  native  of  Cundx-riand 
County,  Illinois.  To  this  uidon  has  l)een  horn  four  <'hil(lrcn,  vi/.: 
Mollie  E.,  llattie  M.,  Xetti(>  G.  and  Georiria.  Of  these  chiUlren  tlie 
Iwo  eldest  are  deceased.  ^h)llie  Iv  died  in  1.S72,  and  llattie  M.  two 
years  later.  Mr.  liruster  is  a  thorouah  Democrat  and  is  one  oi'  the 
most  pronn'neni  of  his  party  in  Cumberland  ( "ounty.  In  JNTii.  lie 
was  (>leeted  C^ircnit  CUerk.  and  foni'  years  later  he  was  re-elected  to 
the  same  othce.  He  is  a  niend)er  of  the  Masonic  Frati'rnity;  Avas 
made  sucli  in  isyo.  and  has  been  AVorshi|)ful  .^hlster  of  Prairie  CWy 
Fjodiic  for  foni' years.  In  l-ST."),  Mr.  Bruster  erecte(l  his  preseid  resi- 
dence in  Toledo,  and  the  same  does  much  credit  to  the  town.  Mrs. 
Bruster  is  a  mend)er  of  the  Methodist  Ei)iscoj)al  Church.  In  point 
of  public  s[)irit  and  enterprise  there  are  none  in  the  county  that  sur- 
))ass  Mr.  Bruster.  For  t>venty  years  he  has  been  an  active  politician, 
and  each  year  he  i;rows  stroni>-er  in  his  ])arty.  .\s  a  county  othcial 
his  ability  and  trust  arc  un(|uestioned.  lie  is  an  honorable  man  and 
a   citi/.en  of  sterlini:-  merit. 

JOHX  E.  CHAMBERS,  M.  I).,  was  born  in  Owen  Clounty,  In- 
diana, Octobers,  1S")(),  son  of  Isaac  and  Martha  A.  (Dunn)  C'ham- 
bers,  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  three  children,  and  is  of  Scoteh- 
Eiiiilish  linea_<>-e.  Dr.  Chambers  worked  at  home  on  tlu'  farm  until 
Ik!  was  twenty-two  years  of  aije.  His  literary  education  was  con- 
fined to  the  common  district  schools  of  Owen  County,  and  the  Stati" 
I'niversity  at  Bloominiiton,  Indiana.  In  IS74.  Dr.  Cliand)ers  be*>an 
studyinir  meilicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  .M.  Stuckey,  at  (iosport,  In- 
diana. In  the  fall  of  1S74,  he  entered  the  flefferson  ^ledical  Colleiic 
at  Phila(lel])hia.  and  attended  that  Institution  from  ls7f  until  March. 
1S77,  when  he  liradnatetl  with  honors.  .Vfter  his  liraduation 
he  1)e<ian  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Owen  County,  Indiana; 
|)racticetl  for  eiiihteen  months  and  then  entered  the  Missoin'i  Med- 
i<'al  College  at  Saint  Louis,  receiving-  from  that  Institution  March, 
1S7II,  the  aif  eimdeijt  do}xv('v  of  liraduation.  Durini;-  the  next  year 
he  was  in  Philadelphia  preparini:-  for  an  examination  before  the  Ma- 
rine Hospital  Board,  but  was  taken  ill,  and  deprived  of  the  examina- 
tion.    In  the  fall  of  is.so,  he  began  practicinu- at  Spencer,  Indiana, 


22S  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — Cl.MBEKLAM)    COUXTV: 

there  reiiiaiiu'il  until  .Mnrcli.  1SS2.  w  lion  he  <:iiiic  to  Toledo.  Ilore 
ho  has  since  resided  and  has  succeeded  in  llie  practice.  lie  is  a  Demo- 
crat:  is  a  niendu'r  of"  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  Knights  of  Pyth- 
ias. He  is  one  of  the  best  read  pjiysieians  in  southern  Illinois,  and 
a  most  thorough  licntleman.  The  medical  outlook  of  Mr.  Cliam- 
hers  is  far  beyond  the  average,  and  much  prominence  aAvaits  him. 

DAMKL  F.  ('II.VP.MAX.  M.  I).,  is  a  native  of  Cook  C'oimty. 
Illinois,  born  on  L:dce  Erie,  March  1.").  ls44,son  of  C  C  and  Xancy 
(Lucas)  Chapman,  is  third  in  a  family  of  seven  (diildren,  and  is  of 
Enirlish  descent.  His  parents  were  l)orn  in  .Massachusetts.  They 
came  to  Chicaifo  in  ls44.  and  there  resided  until  their  death.  His 
mother  died  in  ISC"),  and  his  father  in  1^74.  His  father  Avas  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  Avar  of  1S12.  The  literary  education  of  the  subject  of 
this  mention  was  contined  to  the  public  schools  of  Chicauo  in  an 
earlv  dav,  and  the  Wheaton  Academy. at  Wheaton,  Illinois,  uraduat- 
ini>- from  the  latter  in  iSiJd.  In  iSlJo,  he  bcijan  rea(hn_i:- medicine  in 
Sprin<rtield.  Illinois,  in  the  ofhcc  of  Dr.  Henry  AVohlirarmoth.  In 
May.  lX()Jt,  he  iiraduated  from  the  Fclectie  Medical  Collciic  at  Cin- 
cinnati. Previous  to  his  <j;raduation  he  i)racticed  his  profession  at 
Sprini^tield.  Illinois,  about  two  years.  In  1.SH7  he  came  to  Toledo 
and  continued  his  ])ractice  (save  the  time  he  spent  at  Cincinnati) 
until  IHSl,  Avhen  he  retired  from  the  practice.  As  a  physician  h«> 
was  very  successful.  He  was  married  June  1.5,  1S71,  to  Miss  Kittie 
Miles.  Mrs.  Chapman  was  l)orn  in  Terre  Haute,  Indiana.  They 
have  had  three  children,  viz.:  Charles  C.,  Nettie  and  Ura.  The  tirst 
is  deceased.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Owns  1,!)70  acres  of  o-ood  land. 
Dr.  Chapman  now  eni^'-aiics  himself  in  suj)erintendiuii-  his  farm,  and 
dealinir  in  stock.  He  is  one  of  the  most  enter[)risiuii-  men  in  Cum- 
berland County,  and  one  of  its  h^adinii' citizens.  Mrs.  Cha|)nian  is 
a  most  amial)le  woman.  In  l'SS2  she  was  a  candidate  before  the  l\c- 
publican  Convention  for  (  ounty  .Superintendent  of  the  Schools  of 
( 'und)erland  Cotmty. 

LEWIS  DFCirS,  altorney-at-law.  and  cousin  of  the  Hon.  II. 
1').  Decius,  was  boi'u  February  17.  1'S.')(k  in  ("oshocton  ('oinity.  ()lii(). 
and  is  the  son  of  Cornelius  and  Catharine  (  Davis)  Decius.  His  grand- 
father, Frederic  Decius.  was  born  in  HanoNcr.  (Jermany.  He  served 
as  a  physician  and  sin\i;-eon  in  the  Hessian  army.  The  father  ol'thc 
>ubieet  of  this  mention  was  born  in  the  Iy<n:iy  \'alhy.  \'iri;inia,  and 
his  mother  is  a  native  of  Morgan  ( 'ounty,  ( )hio.  The  parents  of  ^Nlr. 
Decius  left  Ohio  in  Issi,  and  eniiiirated  to  Nebraska,  where  they 
still   reside.     The  education  of  Mr.    Decius,  as  far  as  schooling  is 


CUV  oi'   rojLKix)  AM)  sr.MPiKi;  townshii'.  229 

conccrnod,  was  coiitincMl  to  tlio  advaiilaocs  <riv(Mi  at  the  acadomios  of 
Uoscoo  and  Coshocton,  Ohio.  He  taught  his  tirst  school  in  the  win- 
ter of  1JS77-7.S.  at  \VMlhondin<>-,  Ohio.  In  1X><\  Ik-  came  to  ('nniber- 
hmd  Connty.  Illinois,  and  has  since  continued  his  profession  of  teach- 
inii'.  lie  has  been  princijjal  of  the  Toledo  and  Jewctt  public  schools, 
and  is  at  present  principal  of  the  (ireenuj)  schools.  In  l.S.Sl,  he 
beiian  the  study  ol"  law  in  the  oHice  of  DeciustSi.  Kverharl.at  Toledo: 
was  admitted  to  the  Bai'  in  iss,;.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
lie  i.s  a  nieinl)or  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  made  such  in  iHH'ii.  He 
i.s  the  third  in  a  family  ot  tivc  boys.  As  a  teacher,  he  has  been  suc- 
cessful, nont'  standiui!'  hinher  iu  the  county.  As  a  student,  he  is 
])ersistent  and  untirinu'.  That  which  Mr.  Decius  po.s.se8.ses,  in  all 
particulars,  he  lias  gained  throuiih  his  own  cnersfy  and  efforts.  The 
j)rofessional  outlook  of  Mr.  Decius  is  most  promisinii-.  He  is  the 
senior  member  of  the  law  tirm  known  as  Decius  iSc  Miller. 

WILLIAM  T.  DKITKN,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in 
Millville,  Ohio,  duly  30.  LS'ni,  sou  of  Hiram  and  Ellen  d.  ( Evans) 
Deppeu,  and  is  of  Dutch-Welsh  lineauc.  The  father  of  Mr.  Dep])en 
was  l)orn  in  I'ennsyhania  and  his  mother  in  Ohio,  ^^'hen  the  sub- 
ject of  this  notice  Avas  iiincteen  yeais  of  a2"0,  he  bei«-an  the  trials  of 
life  for  himself.  In  l-Stl.")  he  c:ime  to  Ound)crland  Oounty.  Illinois, 
and  settled  one  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  Toledo.  Here  he  still 
resides.  He  now  owns  !()")  acres  of  ijood  land.  I()4  acres  of  which 
are  moderately  well  improNcd.  Since  he  was  uineteen  years  of  aiic 
he  has  been  en<>ai>ed  in  tradiui;-  iu  hous,  cattle,  sheep,  etc.,  and  was 
one  of  the  members  of  the  tirm  of  McCandlish  *Sc  Company  iu  the 
pork-packino- business  in  Toledo.  This  tirm  did  the  first  pork-pack- 
iuii"  in  Cumberland  Count V.  Politicallv  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
served  two  terms  as  Township  (\)llcctor:  has  tak(Mi  an  active  part 
in  politics.  Mr.  Deppen  is  blessed  with  a  fair  connuon  school  educa- 
tion. He  is  one  of  the  most  euterprisini>- youuii'  men  in  (Jund)erlan(l 
County,  ^^'hat  Mr.  Deppen  has.  he  has  o-ained  throui>h  his  own  ef- 
forts; comnu'uced  life  ^vith  nothinii-.  and  has  I)een  successful  thus 
far.  He  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  a  i)leasant  uentleman.  Life 
prosj)ects  for  Mr.  I)e})pen  arc  (piite  tlatterini>-,  and  he  already  cujoys 
an  enviable  reputation.  Tis  uncommon  for  one,  so  youui;-  in  years, 
to  possess  .such  a  charitable  spirit. 

\V.  S.  E\'ERIIART.  attorney-at-law,  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
State,  born  Novend)er  IS,  l<S.">().at  Leesburi;',  HiiihlandCounty,  isason 
of  Captain  l*hilli])  and  Susanmi  (Slaley)  ENcrhart,  is  the«'l(ler  in  a 
famih  of  two  ejiiidfeii  and  comes  of  (jcrman  l)lood.     The    father  of 


•2'M)  BIOGRAPHTCAI.    SKETCHES — CIMBEKLAXD    COrXTY: 

Mr.  Evorhart  "vvas  born  in  Jefferson  County.   Ohio.  ^Inrdi   is.    1824, 
and  his  mother  was  ))orn  in  Franklin  County.  Pennsylvania.  May  «!. 
ls-21.     The  Kverhart  family    has  always  been    loyal  to  the  eause  ot 
American  Indejx'ndenee  and  perfect   tVeedom  to  o-eneral  humanity. 
His    paternal  i>Tandfather  was  a  soldier   in   the   Revolutionary   and 
1812  Avars,  and  his  orrandfather  Staler  was  also  a  soldier  in  the  latter. 
The  father  of  the  subjeet  of  this  notice  eidisted  in  the  United  States 
army  in  the  fall  of  18(51,  in  Company  C,  Fifty -First  Ohio  A'olun- 
teers,  as  a   private.     Soon  after  his  enlistment  he  was  commissioned 
Second-Lieutenant,  then  First,  and  afterwards  Captain    of  Company 
C,  which  position   he  retained  until  his  discharofe  in  the  si)rin_<>-  of 
1805.     He  withstood  tlie  hardships  and  }n-ivations  of  army  life  for 
more    than   four   years;    Avas    severelv    Avounded    at    the   battle    of 
Stone   River.      Ca])tain    Kverhart   uoav   resi<les   at    Xeoija.  (Jumber- 
land    County,   Illinois,  and  is    one    of   the   leading    citizens  of  the 
county.     He  still  ])ossesses  his  patriotic  spirit,  and  is  in  every  sense 
a  nol)le  man.     The  subject  of  our  notice  emigrated  Avith  his  ])arents 
in  186(5.  from  Ohio  to  Shelby  County,  Illinois.  Avhere  the  faniilv  re- 
mained  for  a  short  time,  or  until  18(58,  when  it  came  to  Cumberland 
County.     Mr.  Evcrliart  remained  at   home   until   September.   1871. 
when  he  entered  the  Illinois  University  at  Urbana.  Illinois,  Avhere  be 
remained  until  ,Iune.  INT.").  when  he  graduated  Avith  honors  from  llu- 
Institution,  and  then  came  to  Xeoga  where  his  parents  lived.     In 
September,  187."),  he  c<mnnenced  the  study  of  laAV  in  the  office  of  Hon. 
H.  B.  Decius,  at  what  Avas  then    knoAvn  as  Prairie  City,  uoav  known 
as  Toledo.     In  January,    1878,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and  in 
March  following  he  formed  a  partnership  with  II.  B.  Decius.  Avhich 
continued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Sei)lember  S,  1882.     Shice 
the  death  of  Judge  Decius,  Mr.  Everhart   has  been  alone  in  the  laAV 
business,  l)ut  in  the  spring  of  188;>  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Will- 
iam r.    Bruster,  in  real  estate  and  loan  business.     In  January,  188,5, 
he  Avas  admitted  to  practice  in  the   United   States  District  Court  of 
southern  Illinois.     Politically,  the  subject    of  this   notice  is  a  stanch 
Rei)ublican.  always  advocating  the  principles  of  that  party.     He  is  an 
eminent  man.  and  already  stands  at  the  head  of  his  profession. 

DR.  J.  W.  ( JOOl )  WIN.  (\)uuty  Treasurer,  is  a  native  of  Put  nam 
County,  Indiana.  l)orn  August  -JI.  isll.son  of  J.  C.  and  Evalina 
(Johnson)  Goodwin,  is  next  to  the  yomigcst  in  a  I'amily  of  si-A'-en 
children,  and  is  of  (ierman  extraction.  The  j)arents  of  Dr.  (loodwin 
were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  left  that  State  in  childhood.  They 
left  "OhI  Kaintuck"  with  their  parents  and  went  to  Clark  County, 


( nv  (»K  lOLKDo  A.\r)  >r\ri'Ti;i;   iomnshii'.  231 

Iii(li;m:i.  whoro  tlicy  were  inMlrimonially  hound,  .iiul  nt'torward  ro- 
movcd  to  Piitnain  CoiinlN .  Indiana.  In  IN.'>.'>  they  canic  to  Jaspor 
County.  Illinois.  The  niotlicr  of  Dr.  (Joodwin  died  in  Putnam 
County.  Indiana,  in  l'S.')i^  and  liis  father  in  Jasjx'r  ( 'onnty.  Illinois, 
in  lf^l'2-  riic  subject  of  our  sUctcJi  w.-is  oivcu  the  privileges  of  the 
eonnnon  district  schools  of  Illinois.  At  eiu"hteen  yeai's  of  ai^e  he 
hcuan  tcachini:'  school,  and  al)ont  the  sanu'  time  heii'an  readini;' 
nu'dicine.  Durinii'  the  winter  of  IsiiS-Cl)  he  attended  the  Kcl(>ctic 
Medical  Institute  at  Cincinnati,  and  in  the  sprini>'  of  1S()1>  hei^an  the 
practice  of  his  ])rofcsi<ion  at  (Irecnni).  Cmnherland  County,  Illinois. 
He  continued  in  active  and  succes.sful  [)ractice  foi- 1  weUc  years.  The 
marriai>e  of  Dr.  (xoodwin  took  i)lace  March  -Jl.  l.S(!!>,  to  Miss  Martha 
.1.  Davee,  daughter  of  Z.  ^^'.  and  Kli/aheth  Davee.  They  have  had 
six  children,  viz.:  Elizabeth  E.,  Willard  L..  Charles  ()..  Lulu  M.. 
Lena  P.  and  Ixayniond  1).  ^Irs.  ( Joodwin  dii'd  February  <i,  l.S8o. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  a  most 
amiable  wonian.  Dr.  (roodwin  is  a  stanch  Kepublican.  In  1S77  he 
was  elected  Treasurer  of  Cumberland  ('onnty,  was  re-elected  in  1S7H, 
and  elected  again  in  ISSI  to  serve  four  years.  Xotwithstandinir  the 
fact  that  Cumberland  County  is  about  two  hundred  Democratic,  the 
majority  of  Dr.  (xoodwin.  in  1S77.  was  144,  in  l<S7t>,  240,  and  in  1881. 
137.  Dr.  Goodwin  is  one  of  the  most  encri>'etic  men  of  Cumber- 
land County,  and  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens.  He  is  a  meinlier 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F..  and  now  resides  in  Toledo. 

DAVID  B.  GKEEN,  attorney-at-law.  is  a  native  of  Fairlield 
County,  Ohio,  born  October  8,  182H,  son  of  James  ami  Mary  A. 
(Babb)  Green,  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  is  of 
Euiilish-Irish  extraction.  The  father  of  Mr.  (ircen  was  born  in 
Richmond,  \'a..  and  his  mother  in  Ohio.  'The  iii'eat-orandfather  of 
Mr.  (xreen  was  old  Nathaniel  Green  of  Revolutionary  fam(\  The 
iiraudfather  of  Mi-,  (irecn  was  a  Ca])tain  in  the  war  of  1.S12.  In 
1834  the]  subject  of  this  notice  came  from  Ohio  ria  Maysville,  Ky.. 
with  his  father  to  Coles  County.  Illinois.  His  father  raised  blooded 
horses  in  Ohio,  and  brouijhl  three  horses  and  a  jack  to  Illinois  with 
him.  F"rom  Maysville,  Ky.,  to  Charleston,  Coles  County,  Illinois,  the 
subject  of  this  notice  rode  the  jack.  The  father  of  Mr.  ( ircen  dicil 
in  Cumberland  County  in  181."),  and  his  mother  in  1  ss^.  in  Toledo. 
In  18.34  Mr.  Green  came  to  this  county  and  has  i-esidcd  here  c\(T 
since.  Ill  18GG  he  came  to  Toledo,  and  here  now  lives.  He  was  mai- 
ried  January  2i;,  18')4,  to  Miss  Lucy  E.  Starkweather.  Mrs.  Green 
was  born  in  Vermont.     Thev   have   had   eiiiht    children,  viz.:   Amni 


232  ino(}i{APin('AL  skeithes — (tmheim.am)  (oimv: 

M.,  Alice  A.  (cloooasoil),  Floronco  N.,  Elisha  J.,  Lucy  \'..  Jaiiics  (".. 
Isidore  N.  and  Harriet  E.  In  l.S.')S  ho  heaan  the  study  of  the  law. 
under  the  instruction  of  ,Iudof<'  Hiram  B.  Deeius  and  Hon.  Thomas 
Hj-e\ver,  and  was  achnitted  to  the  liar  in  1)S()2;  has  ))een  in  active 
piacliee  ever  since.  For  numy  years  Mr.  Green  was  the  moj<t  ex- 
tensive hmd  owner  iuCumlu'rhind  County,  and  now  owns  about  seven 
iuni(hi'd  acres,  tive  Innulred  acresof  Avhich  are  improved.  Mr.  Green 
has  made  his  own  way  in  life.  As  an  advocate  he  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful, and  is  yet  one  of  the  prominent  lawyers  in  eastern  Illinois. 
He  is  a  Kepublican.  is  a  man  of  mueh  force  of  charaeter.  and  an 
influential  citizen. 

lIKMiV  ^^^  GKEEX.ex-sheritfand  farmer,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Kentucky,  fluly  (S,  1«27,  son  of  flames  and  Nancy 
(  \\'arren)  (rreen.  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  and  is  of 
Scotch  (h'scent.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Alarvland  and  his  mother 
of  Kentucky.  His  father  died  in  Kentueky  in  l<S,");i.  His  mother 
still  resides  in  that  State.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1(^12.  In  1S47  the  subject  of  this  notice  enlisted  in  Company  1, 
Fourth  Kentucky  Volunteers,  of  tlu^  war  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico:  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1848.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Mar«»-aret  McAllister.  Auo-ust  1.').  1841».  Thev  had 
one  child.  \  i/..:  Francis  A.  Mrs.  Green  died  in  May,  18.J1.  Mr. 
Green  was  next  married  iji  October,  18.")2,  to  America  J.  AVhite. 
They  had  threes  children,  viz.:  Adaline,  Joseph  B.,  and  Lewis.  Mi*s. 
(Jreen  di(Ml  in  October.  18')7.  His  third  marriage  occurred  in  18')!i 
to  Mrs.  Hulda  Moore.  Mrs.  (rreen  was  deceased  in  October,  1870. 
His  last  mairiage  took  place  July,  1871,  to  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  Munford. 
In  18r)2  Mr.  (ireen  emigrated  from  Kentucky  to  Morgan  County. 
Indiaiui,  and  there  remaiiu'd  six  years  and  then  came  to  Cumberland 
County.  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Greenup  Township,  and  there  he  lived 
some  time.  In  1S70  he  came  to  Toledo;  now  resides  heri'.  He  is  a 
l)enH)erat.  In  lS72  he  was  elected  SheriH"  of  Cumberland  (\)unly: 
was  re-elected  in  1877.  Was  (U'puty  sheritf  in  1870  and  1871.  Ib- 
is a  ni<'nil)cr  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  Mr.  (Jreen  is  a  self-made 
nnin  in  every  particular;  now  owns  four  hundred  acres  of  well  im- 
])roved  land:  has  made  his  own  way  in  life.  Sinct^  the  exj)iration  of 
his  term  of  ofiice  he  has  given  his  attention  to  farming.  He  is  a 
le;iding  citi/en  and  an   intluential   num.     Success  has  attended  him. 

CHAlvLFS  HAMvEK.  furniture  dealer,  is  a  native  of  Witten- 
berg, (i.M'many.  born  May  4, 1843,  the  son  of  Charles  W.and  (Christina 
(Thiemc)  IlanUer.  is  the  vounjrest  in  a  familv  »)f  lour  children,  and 


CITY    OF   TOLEDO    AND   SUMPTEK    TOWNSHIP.  235 

of  Gorman  doscoiit.  Tlu;  tat  her  of  Mi".  Hanker  was  horn  in  Saxony, 
Oermany,  and  his  mother  in  Prussia.  In  1«G3  his  parents  started 
to  America.  His  mother  died  whihi  erossini^  the  Athmtie.  His 
father  settled  in  Saint  Clair  ( !onnty,  Illinois.  There  he  died  in  18(i5. 
In  I8G7  the  subject  of  this  mention  came  to  Toledo,  Cumberland 
County,  and  here  has  since  liv(Ml.  While  he  was  in  Saint  Clair 
County  he  served  an  apprenticeshii)  "^  three  years  at  cabinet  making. 
Upon  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Hinker  in  Toledo  he  began  the  furniture 
business.  Has  been  successful  in  business.  Is  the  pioneer  furniture 
dealer  of  Toledo.  Ho  was  married  eFuly  10,  18(5S»,  to  Miss  M:Uonia 
Struz.  Mrs.  Haidvcr  is  also  a  native  of  Germany.  Came  to  America 
wh(Mi  two  years  of  age.  They  have  four  children,  viz. :  Lsna,  Bertha, 
William  and  Frederick.  Mr.  Hanker  is  a  Republican;  has  been  a 
mend)er  of  the  Town  Council;  is  President  of  the  Loan  and  Build- 
ing Association;  is  a  membor  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.;  joined  in  1868, 
Toledo  Lodge  No.  855.  Mr.  Hanker  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
men  of  Toledo.  He  came  to  the  town  in  very  limited  circumstances, 
but  is  now  worth  about  $10,000.  He  is  a  thorough  gentleman  and 
a  most  honorable  citizen.  Mr.  Hanker  is  building  a  brick  block 
110x80  feet,  three  stories  high,  which  will  cost  at  least  $8,030.  It 
will  be  the  finest  bloc^k  in  the  town.  Mr.  Hanker  is  one  of  the  most 
energetic  men  in  Cumberland  County,  and  is  thoroughly  known  for 
his  honesty  and  uprightness. 

F.  J.  IlEID,  railway  agent  at  Toledo,  was  born  in  Pekin,  111., 
June  8,  18oo,  is  theson  of  Conradand  Magdalena  (Herring)  Ileid,  the 
eldest  in  a  family  of  four  children,  and  is  of  German  descent.  The 
tathor  of  Mr.  ILiid  was  born  at  Heidelberg,  Germany,  and  his  mother 
at  Worms,  on  tiie  river  Rhino,  in  the  same  comitry.  In  1849  his 
parents  came  to  "America  and  settled  at  Pekin,  III.,  and  here  his 
tather  died  Dacembor,  1880.  His  mother  still  resides  at  Pekin. 
The  sid)ject  of  this  mention  opened  the  scenes  of  life  for  himself  by 
first  clerking  in  a  hardware  store  in  Pekin,  in  May,  1877.  There 
he  remained  more  than  three  years.  In  Soptembor,  1880,  he  began 
learning  telegraphy  in  the  P.,  D.  E.  Railway  otfice  at  Pekin.  In 
April,  1881,  he  came  to  Toledo  and  has  sincre  been  railway  agent 
and  telegraph  operator  for  the  Peoria,  D.M'atur  &  Evansville  Rail- 
way (yompany;  also  represents  the  Pacific  Express  Company. 
Politically  ho  is  a  Democrat.  Il(>  is  one  of  the  enterin-ising  young 
business  men  of  Toledo;  has  a  good  business  education  and  is  an 
honorable  genth^man;  has  an  interest  in  the  Cknnberland  County 
Agricultural  Association,  and  the  Cund)erland  County  Building  and 

14 


286  BK^aUAPIIICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Loan  Association.     Il'^   possesses  an    ciitci-prisini;"  s])ivit  and  many 
noble  qnalities. 

8.  C  II()LSA1*PLE.  Snixn-intcndcnt  of  the  County  Poor  Farm, 
was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  February  21,  184(j,  son  of  elolni  and 
Rebecca  (Rinker)  Holsapple.  He  is  of  German  oriij-in.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather  Avas  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  In  the  s})ring  of  18(50, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  8um])ter  Township,  Cumberland 
County,  111.  H':!re  he  has  since  resided.  In  February,  l.S(i4,  he 
enlisted  in  the  late  war,  in  Coinpany  F.  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
Eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  for  one  year,  and  was  discharged  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  September  1.3,  18i)5.  He  was  married,  February  7, 18«)<j, 
to  Miss  Harriet  Carrel.  Mrs.  Holsapple  is  also  a  native  of  Morgan 
County,  Ind.  To  this  union  has  been  born  six  children,  viz.:  Flora 
B.,  Rebecca  A.,  John  W.,  L-^vi  F.,  Mary  A.,  and  Julia  A.  Two  are 
deceased.  H-^  is  a  Republican.  In  1872,  he  was  appointed  Superin- 
tendent of  the  County  Poor  Farm;  served  one  j'^ear.  In  1877,  he 
again  took  possession  of  the  County  Farm,  and  in  this  position  he 
has  since  been  retained.  Under  his  administration  the  farm  has  been 
successfully  managed.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd-F'ellows,  Toledo  Lodge,  No.  3)').  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holsapple  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  F})iscopal  Church.  He  now  owns  a  good 
farm;  has  a  good  common  school  education,  is  an  honorable  citizen 
and  a  highly  respected  gentleman.  The  management  of  the  County 
Farm  could  not  l)e  jdaced  in  more  competent  hands. 

ALEX.  HUGHES,  manufacturer  of  tinware  and  wholesale  dealer 
in  notions,  was  born  in  Highland  ( -ounty,  Ohio,  December  18,  1842; 
son  of  Richard  T.  and  C.  E.  (Keys)  Hughes,  and  is  of  Irish  descent. 
The  father  of  Mr.  IlughciS  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  mother  in 
Pennsylvania.  In  1852,  they  cam?  to  Clinton  County,  111.,  and  there 
his  father  entered  land,  and  in  that  county  his  mother  died  in  18,")'), 
and  his  father  died  in  Effingham  C'ounty,  111.,  in  1S77.  ^^'hen  the 
subject  of  this  notice  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  began  t  h(»  scenes 
of  life  for  himself.  For  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  herding  (^attlc 
in  central  Illinois  and  northern  Indiana.  In  18')7,  he  began  learn- 
ing the  tinn(;rs'  trade  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  in  the  store  of  G.  Y.  and 
C.  C.  Smith.  Here  he  served  an  ap})renticeship  of  four  years.  In 
April,  1801,  hv  enlisted  in  Company  C. Eleventh  Indiana  N'olunteer 
Infantry,  for  three  months.  He  then  re-enlisted  in  C-ompany  F. 
Thirty-Fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Saint  Louis,  Mo.;  served 
three  years;  dischirg.'d  in  September,  1S()4.  He  enlisted  again  in 
Company  K,  One  Ilundrcl  and  Fiftieth  Illinois  Volunteer  ^Infantry : 


CITV    OF    TOLEDO    AM)    SL'Ml'TKH    TOWNSIIII'.  237 

dLschaiii-eil,  in  ISIJT,  at  Atlanta,  Ga.  He  has  held  three  coniini.s- 
sioued  and  three  non-commissioned  ottioes.  He  was  first  wounded  at 
the  bitlle  of  Chiokamaiii>a:  received  four  other  wounds.  In  1875. 
Mr.  Hiiirhes  came  to  Toledo.  He  was  married  May  il,  18GS,  to  Maiy 
E.  Keys.  Mrs.  Hui^fhes  was  born  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  Tiiey  have  two 
children,  viz.:  Maud  S.  and  Flora.  He  is  a  thoroujjfh  Republican; 
east  his  Hi-st  Presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  Mr.  Hu<^hes  is 
engaged  in  the  wholesale  tinware  and  notion  business,  and  nianutac- 
tures  his  own  tinware;  has  employed  five  men.  When  he  C4ime  to 
Toledo  he  was  in  very  limited  circumstances,  but  is  now  worth  about 
$(3,000.  He  has  made  his  own  way  in  life.  He  was  a  good  and  brave 
soldier,  is  of  an  enterprising  spirit,  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
Cumberland  County. 

WESTERN  R.*^  HUMPHREY,  druggist,  was  born  at  Westport. 
Ky.,  March  80.  1828,  is  the  son  of  Jolni  M.  and  Fi'ances  (Nay)  Humph- 
rey, the  eldest  in  a  family  of  six  cJiildren,  and  is  of  Scotch-German 
descent.  His  parents  were  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  grandparents 
on  both  sides  were  natives  of  Virginia.  Tlu^  Humphreys  originally 
Ciime  from  Scotland.  In  182i),  the  parents  of  the  subject  of  this 
notice  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Washington  County,  111.  Here 
they  remained  until  1832,  when  they  emigrated  to  Edgar  County, 
111.,  there  remained  four  years,  removing  then  to  Clark  County,  111. 
In  18.58,  they  came  to  Cumborland  County,  and  settleil  northwest  of 
Toledo.  Here  his  father  still  resides.  In  18.57,  Mr.  Humphrey  came 
to  Cumberland  County  from  Livingston  County,  Mo.,  where  he  had 
resided  four  years.  The  early  life  of  Mr.  Hum})hrey  was  that  of  a 
farmer  principally;  taught  school  a  nundjci-  of  winters.  He  is  a 
Republican;  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Lincoln.  In  1873,  he 
was  elected  Clerk  of  Cumberland  Couuty.  The  county  was  at  that 
time  400  Democratic,  but  he  received  124  majority.  He  enlisted  in 
his  country's  cause,  August  7,  i8ij2,  in  Company  H,  One  Hundreil 
and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war;  was.  promoted  to  the  position  of  Quartermaster-Sergeant  in 
18(J3.  Tiiis  position  he  held  until  the  war  ended.  He  was  married 
September  23,  18)2.  to  P.  Ami  Daughty,  of  Casey,  111.  Mi-s. 
Humphrey  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.  They  have  had  these 
i'hildren,  viz.:  Fannie  J.,  Floretta  A.,  John  M.,  Rosji  M.,  Laura  A. 
and  Charles  A.W.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  the  drug  l)usiness,  in  partnership  with  J.  A.  Conner. 
He  is  of  an  enterprising  spirit;  has  24.5  acres  of  improved  land.  He 
is  a  citizen  of  sterling*  worth,  and  an  influential  man.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


238  BIOGKAl'inCAL    SKETCHES — CUMBEULAXD    COUNTY: 

Humphrey  are  inerabers  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  oue  of  the 
moj?t  accurate  accountants  and  best  penmen  that  the  County  has 
ever  had. 

1).  D.  JUDSON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  N.  Y., 
February  5, 1832,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Margaret  ( Bouk)  Ju<lsou, 
the  eldest  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  is  of  Yankee-German 
ori<''in.  His  father  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  his  mother  in  the 
Empire  State.  His  mother  died  in  1844,  and  his  father  died  in  New 
York,  in  1881.  He  was  married,  March  24,  1858,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Hickle.  Mrs.  Judson  was  also  born  in  Delaware  County,  Oliio.  They 
have  two  children,  viz.:  Mary  A.  and  Willit'.m.  In  18")3,  he  came  to 
Sumpter  Township,  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  settled  five  miles 
northeast  of  the  countj^-seat,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  first 
bouo"ht  forty  acres;  now  owns  about  300  acres  of  Sfood  land;  has  a 
o-ood  residence,  built  in  1883.  He  is  a  Demo?rat,  and  served  two  terms 
as  Township  Supervisor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of 
Sumpter  Township,  and  a  most  honorable  citizen.  He  Avas  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources  at  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  since  that  time 
he  has  striven  for  himself.  Through  energy  and  perseverance  he 
has  been  successful. 

CAPTAIN  ANDREW  J.  LEE,  postmaster,  was  born  in  Mon- 
roe County,  Indiana,  June  11,  1829,  is  the  son  of  John  W.  and  Etiie  K. 
(Hester)  Lee,  the  third  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  is  of  German- 
Irish  origin.  The  Lee  family  has  long  been  known  in  America.  Mr. 
Lee's  paternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Lee  was  CqI.  John  AY.  Lee,  Avho  was  born  in  South 
Carolina.  His  mother  was  born  in  Indiana.  In  18i34,  Mr.  Lee  came 
to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  settled  in  Toledo,  and  here  he  has  since 
resided.  The  education  of  Mr.  Lee  is  far  beyond  the  average.  It  was 
confined,  however,  to  the  conmion  district  schools  of  Indiana,  the  Indi- 
ana State  University  at  Bloomington,  and  Asbury  University  at 
Giecncastle,  Indiana.  He  graduated  from  the  law  de[)artment  of  the 
State  Univei-sity  in  1858.  In  August,  1852,  the  subject  of  our  notice 
enlisted  in  his  country's  cause,  in  Company  E,  Fifty-Fourth  Indiana 
Volunteers.  In  18112  he  was  commissioned  Captain  of  his  Com- 
l)any;  was  honcn'ably  discharged.  Mr.  Lee  was  married  Ortobcr  25, 
18(5.'<,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Rader,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Emily  Rider. 
Tliey  had  two  children,  viz.:  Thomas  J.,  and  John  L.  (deceased).  Mr. 
Lee  is  a  radical  Republican.  He  was  commissioned  postmaster  at 
Tohido,  in  1877.     The  position  he  still  retains.     He  is  a  member  of 


CITY    OF   TOLEDO    AND    SUMPTER   TOWNSIIII'.  2,-i9 

the  Masonic  Fniternity.  He  is  a  thorough  gentloman  and  an  honor- 
able citizen. 

GUY  M.  LEMEN,  Comity  CUerk,  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
Illinois,  June  21,  lS48,is  the  son  of  Joseph  E.  and  Caroline  8.  (Mar- 
ney )  Lonien,  the  tifth  in  a  tamily  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Scot^-h- 
Irish  origin.  The  parents  of  ^Ir.  Lemen  were  born  in  Saint  Clair 
Comity,  Illinois.  His  ancestors  were  among  the  first  pioneers  of  Illi- 
nois, ihe  father  of  Mr.  Lemen  died  in  Madison  County,  Illinois,  in  1878. 
His  mother  now  resides  in  CoUinsville,  Illinois.  The  life  of  Mr.  Le- 
men was  that  of  a  farmer  previous  to  his  coming  to  Cumberland 
County,  in  1870.  He  was  railway  agent  and  telegraph  operator  at 
Greenup,  this  county,  for  almost  twelve  years.  In  November,  1882, 
he  was  elected  County  Clerk  of  Cumbarland  County.  He  came 
to  Toledo  in  January,  1883.  He  was  married  November  12,  1871,  to 
Miss  ]Mary  E.  Peters.  Mrs.  Lemen  was  born  in  Terre  Haute,  Indiana. 
They  have  had  two  children,  viz.:  an  infant  that  died  unnamed,  and 
Piatt  O.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  Mason,  and  also  a  member  of  the 
1.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  .a  prominent  citizen  and  an  influential  man.  The 
people  of  Cumberland  County  could  not  have  imposed  their  tiiist  in 
a  more  honorable  or  noble  man.  Mrs.  Lomen  is  a  most  amiable  woman, 
and  is  among  the  most  prominent  ladies  of  Toledo. 

WILLI  A:\I  LOGAN,  general  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Hendricks 
County,  Indiana,  born  February  :>,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Benjamin 
and  ^largaret  (Butler)  Logan.  He  is  the  eighth  child  in  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  and  of  Gorman  blood.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Logan 
were  natives  and  pioneers  of  Indiana,  and  were  deceased  in  that  State. 
When  the  sixteenth  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  the  subject  of  this 
mention  came  round,  it  found  him  engaged  in  learning  the  blacksmith 
trade  at  Clermont,  Lidiana.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  of  one  year's 
duration,  and  after  working  for  a  time  at  Clermont,  he  went  to 
Brownsburg,  Indiana,  and  there  he  continued  his  trade  until  August 
15,  18(52,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Saventy-Ninth  Indiana 
Volunteers.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Ciiickamauga  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  and  a  score  of  less  important  engagements.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service  June  15,  186'i.  After 
return! no-  from  the  war,  he  bogan  general  merchandising  at  Fayette, 
Indiana,  where  he  only  remained  a  brief  period,  and  in  the  fall  of  18()5 
he  removed  his  stock  of  goods  to  Toledo,  Cumberland  County,  Illi- 
nois. He  is  still  ensrasrod  in  the  same  business,  and  now  is  general 
manager  for  the  firm  known  as  Logan  &  Brother.  This  firm  has  one 
of  the  most  complete  lines  of  general  merchandise  ever  carried  in 


240  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Cumberland  Coullt3^  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married,  Saptem- 
bor  22, 1869,  to  Miss  Elmyra  Eskridgc,  a  native  of  Cumberland  County. 
Mrs.  Loo-an  was  deceased,  August,  1870,  and  three  years  later  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Alice  M.  McCon.  They  had  one  child,  viz.:  Warren 
E.,  who  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Logan  died  in  August.  1875.  Mr.  Logan  was 
next  married  Septcrabin-  11,  1882,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Prather.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  independent,  alwa3's  voting  for  the  men  who  in  his  judg- 
ment are  the  best  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O-  0.  F.,  Toledo  Lodge^ 
No.  35.^).  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Cumbr-rland  County, 
and  one  of  the  leading  merchants. 

A.  A.  fjOVINS,  Townshi[i  Supervisor,  was  born  in  Shelby 
County,  Illinois,  November  27,  1833,  the  son  of  J.  W.  and  ISIariam 
(Siler )  Lovins,and  is  of  English-German  descent.  The  parents  of  Mr. 
Lovins  were  born  in  Tennessee.  His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1829, 
and  settled  in  Shelby  County,  and  there  he  still  resides,  and  is  eighty- 
three  years  of  age.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Lovins,  died  in  Shelby 
County,  in  1 843.  When  the  subject  of  this  notice  Avas  tAventy  years 
of  age,  he  bc^gan  life  for  himself.  He  went  to  Missouri  and  settled  in 
Grundy  County,  and  there  was  married,  December  27,  1854,  to  Miss 
Nancy  George.  ISIrs.  Lovins  is  a  native  of  Clay  County,  Illinois; 
they  have  had  nine  children,  viz.:  Minnie  E.,  Mary  V.,  Samuel  H., 
Ricliard  V.,  Mattie  D.,  Sarah  O.,  Ora,  William  M.  and  Maud.  Of 
these  children  three  are  deceased.  In  1868,  Mr.  Lovins  came  to  Cum- 
berland County,  and  the  next  year  he  came  to  Toledo,  where  he  still 
re-sides.  He  is  a  Democrat.  In  1869,  he  was  elected  County  Clerk; 
served  four  years.  lie  was  nominated  for  a  second  term,  receiving 
four  hundred  and  eighty  majority  in  the  convention,  but  was  defeated 
at  the  election.  In  1883,  he  Avas  elected  Township  Supervisor.  He 
has  been  in  the  hardAvare  business  for  seven  years  in  Toledo,  but  is 
noAv  cnsraired  in  the  ofrocery  business.  Ho  is  one  of  the  most  enter- 
jirising  men  in  Cumberland  County. 

JAMES  A.  McCANDLISH,  Sherifl'  of  Cumberland  County,  is 
a  native  of  Perry  County,  Ohio,  born  December  8,  1810,  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Rebecca  (Ross)  McCandlish,  the  second  son  in  a  family 
of  five  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  linkage.  The  parents  of  Mr. 
McCandlish  were  both  nativ^es  of  Ohio,  and  lived  in  their  native 
State  until  then-  death.  His  father  died  in  Perry  County,  in  1847, 
and  his  mother  in  the  same  county,  in  1874.  In  1866,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  came  West  and  lived  in  Jasjier  County,  Illinois,  one  year, 
and  then  <anie  to  Cu)nberlan(lj  County  and  settled  in  CottouAVOod 
Township.       In    Auijust,    1862,   he   eidistol    in    Company    G,  One 


CITV    OK    TOLKIX)    AM)    SlMI'Ti:!;    TOWNSHIP.  241 

Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Ohio  Volunteers,  at  MaxviUe,  Perry  County, 
Ohio,  served  three  years,  and  was  honorably  diseharged  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  August  17,  1<S(;.").  and  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Houston, 
Texas.     The  marriage  of  Mr.   McCandlish  took  ])lace  Septend)er  4, 
18()9,  to  Miss  Melcenia  Johnston,  daughter  of  William  and  Maria  E. 
Johnston.    Mrs.  MeCandlish  was  born  in  lOttingham  County,  Til.     To 
this  marriage  has  been  l)orn  four  childrcMi,  viz.:  Izetta  M-,  Lulu  B., 
William  E.,  and  James  C     He  is  a  Republican ;  first  l*residential  vote 
was  cast  for  Lincoln.    Tn  l'S78,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Cund)erland 
County.    He  was  re-elected  in  1880,  and  elected  again  in  1 8,S2.    He  is  a 
mend)er  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  Mrs.  McCandlish  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Ei)isc()pal  Church.     As  an  officer,  he  has  fulfilled  his 
whole  trust.     As  a  citizen,  he  is  enterprising  and  greatly  respected. 
SAMUEL  C.  M I LLFR,  County  Superintendent  and  Principal 
of  the  Toledo  Public  S(diools,  and  also  a  junior  member  of  the  law  firm 
of  Decius    &   Miller,  is  a  native  of  Jamestown,  New    York,    born 
March  14,  18B0,  the  son  of  Rev.  John  (J.  and  Margaret  (Trousdal) 
Miller,  the  fourth  in   a   family  of  seven  children,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction.      The   p:iternal  grandfather   of    Mr.    Miller  was 
born  in  Scotland.     His  father  was  born  in  \ew  York;  so  was  his 
mother.     The  parents   of  Mr.  ^Miller  came  to  Illinois  in  1862,  and 
settled  in  Chicago,  where  they  resided  until  1865,  when  they  removed 
to  Ncoga,  Cumi);'rland    County,  Illinois.     Here  they  have  since  re- 
sided, the  mother  dying  here,  however,  in   September,  1881.     The 
education  of  l\Ir.  Miller,  as  far  as  schooling  is  concerned,  has  been 
confined  to  the  public  schools  of  Neoga,  and  the  Xorthern   Indiana      ; 
Normal  S  diool  at   Vali)araiso.     In    1878,  he   entered    the  school   at  ;2(^         / 
Valparaiso,  and  graduated   in  the  scientitic  courses   in   1880.     Cen- 
Uuinial    Year,   Mr.   Miller    taught    his  first   school    in  ( ^nnberland 
County,  five  miles  south  of  Xeoga,  at  the  White  Hall  schoolhouse- 
The  year  1882-83,  he  w^as  principal  of   the  public  s(diool  at  Greenup.  v 

In  April,  1881,  he  began  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  ofiice  of  Decius 
&  Kverhart,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  May,  18S8.  In  June,  the 
same  year,  he  fornuMl  a  partnership  with  L.  Decius.  In  November, 
1882,  he  was  elected  (bounty  Superintendent  of  the  [)u])lic  schools 
of  (jumberl  and  County,  for  a  term  of  four  years.  He  has  charge  of  the 
Toledo  schools.  He  is  a  Republican,  having  cast  his  first  Presidential 
vote  for  (l:ufield.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  thorough,  practical  man.  He 
made  his  own  way  in  life.  He  has  more  than  an  ordinary  education, 
and  is  one  of  the  mo^t  energetic  young  m  mi  in  Cumberland  County, 
having  already  gained  an  enviable  prominence  and  reputation. 


242  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMIJEIJLAM)    COUNTY. 

W.  !)■  .Ml.MFOKI),  oc'ucral  nicrcluint.  was  l)()rn  in  Knox  County, 
Ohio,  S('ptf'nil)Oi-  IH,  1844,  is  the  .son  of  James  E.  and  Mariii^aret  A. 
(McGinnis)  Munit'onl,  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  seven  ehiltlren, 
five  boys  and  two  girls,  and  is  of  Irish-8t'otoh  descent.     His    father 
was  born  in  New  York  and  his  mother  in  Pennsylvania.     The  mater- 
nal orandfather  of  Mr.  Mumford  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1.S12. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Mumford  left  New  York  when  a  young  man  and 
settled  in  Ohio.     He   died  in    Hardin    County,  Ohio,  in    18')().     His 
mother   died    in    Cumberland    County,  111.,  in    1872.      The  subject 
of  this  mention  came  to  Illinois  in  18(30,  and  lived  a  short  time  in 
Crawford  Countv.     In  ISOl,  he  came  to  Cuml)erland  County  and  set- 
tied  at  Toledo,  where  he  has  since  resided,  save  one  year.     For  four 
years  he  worked  in  the  printing  othce  of  his  brother,  who  was  then 
publishing  the  CumleAand  Expoaitov.     \\\  18G5,  he  located  at  Olney, 
Illinois,  and  i)ublislied  the  Olney  Tme.s.     Ho  remained  one  year,  then 
returned  to  Toledo  and  engaged  in  the  hardware   business.     In  this 
he  continued  seven  jears,  then  engaged  again  in  the  newspaper  busi- 
ness, in  partnership  with  George  E.  Mason,  publishing  the  Cumber- 
land Democrat,  and  in  1878  bought  the  interest  of  his  partner.     Mr. 
Mumford  continue!  the  newspaper  business  until  February  10,  1877, 
but  is  now  engaged  in  general  merchandising.    He  is  the  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  known  as  Mmnford  t*c  Tossey,     He  was  married  May 
16,  18()(),  to  Miss  Ella  Fletcher,  of  Hen  Iricks  County.  Indiana.     To 
this  union  has  been  born  three  children,  viz.:     Fletcher,  fb'nnie,  and 
Scott.     The  last  two  arc  deceased.    Mrs.  ]\Iumford  died  February  10, 
1877.     He  was  next  married  to  Miss  Almyra  Tossey,  of  Jewett,  Illi- 
nois, February    4,  lS7i).     To  this    union    has    been   born  one  child, 
viz.:  Dorr  ().     He  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity.    He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  in  Tolc^do,  and  one  of  its 
most  prominent  citizens. 

A\'.  W .  l*AlvK,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  l)orn  at  Carlinsville, 
Illinois,  February  17,  1831),  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  E.  E.  and  Susan  M. 
(Wilkins)  Park.  He  is  third  in  a  large  family,  and  is  of  i^nglish 
descent.  His  [)arents  emigrated  from  Indiana  to  Illinois  about  18.')8, 
and  were  anionir  the  early-comers  of  the  townshii)  in  which  th(»v 
lived.  \\\>  parents  both  died  of  cholera  in  ISMI — father  while  on  his 
way  to  California,  and  mother  at  (ireenvillc,  111.  In  1S(>1,  the 
subject  of  this  inciition  b 'gin  studying  m 'dicine  at  Greenville,  III., 
in  the  ollicc  of  Dr.  T.  S.  lirooks.  lie  enlisted  in  the  canst'  ot 
his  country  in  (J'tober,  lS(;i>.  in  Compiny  (J,  First  Ohio  \'olunteers, 
served  imtil  the  close  of  the  war.  and  was  hoiioiablv  discharged  in 


CITY    OF    TOLKDO    AM)    SL.Ml'TKK    TOWNSllll'.  243 

October,  1865.  In  1  SiJG,  he  was  iniirrieJ  to  Miss  Hannah  Pony.  Mm. 
Parks  Avas  born  in  Posey  County,  In  1.  I'hey  have  had  four  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Ollio  M.,  Elmund  E.,  Eva  M.,  an  1  William  C  Eva  M. 
is  deceased.  In  18(57,  he  began  practicing  medicine  at  Loogootce, 
Illinois.  In  1881,  Dr.  Park  came  to  Toledo,  Illinois,  from  Mount 
Rose,  Effingham  County,  where  ho  had  1)oen  for  three  years.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  tirst  Presidential  vote  for  Douglas.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  As  a  practitioner  of  medi- 
cjpic  he  has  been  successful,  and  is  an  honorable  citizen  and  a  pleas- 
ant ijentleman.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episco])al  Church. 

T.  P.  PKATHEK,  hardware  dealer,  is  a  native  of  Cumberland 
County,  III.,  l)orn  May  20,  18")7,  and  is  the  son  of  elohn  and  Mary 
(Kibble)  Prather.  He  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  four  children, 
and  is  of  Scotch-German  origin.  AVhen  the  subject  of  this  mention 
was  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  began  the  trials  of  life  for  himself,  work- 
ing for  some  time  by  the  month,  then  farming  two  years.  In  187(j, 
he  went  to  Carpentersville,  In<l.,  and  for  two  years  he  clerked  in  a 
drug  store.  In  December,  1882,  he  came  again  to  Toledo.  In  May, 
he  bogau  the  hardware  business,  having  about  $4,00)  invested  in  the 
business,  and  in  which  he  has  been  successful.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and 
cast  his  tirst  Presidential  vote  for  Hancock.  He  is  of  an  enterpris- 
ing spirit,  advocating  all  movements  that  are  for  the  best  interests 
of  the  town  and  countv.  He  has  a  good  business  e  lucation,  and  is 
a  prominent  young  business  man. 

I.  J.  PUGH,  grain  and  sto:'k-dealer,  was  born  in  lacking  County, 
Ollio,  October  la,  18:M),  is  the  son  of  AVilliam  an  I  Lydia  (Adams) 
i^igh,  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  fi/e  chil  Iren,  and  is  o-"  Scotch-Irish 
extraction.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Pugh  were  born  in  Virginia.  When 
the  subject  of  this  mention  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  settled  in  Sumpter 
Townsliip.  Here  his  lather  died  in  ISG;}.  Mr.  Pugh  remained  at 
home,  and  worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  He  was  married,  January  •22,  18(51,  to  Miss  Margaret 
A.  Bloxom.  Mrs.  Pugh  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ind.  They  have 
had  five  children,  viz.;  Mary  J.,  All)ert,  Oscar,  Serena,  and  Aledora. 
Of  these  children,  Albert  and  Oscar  are  deceased.  Mr.  Pugh  enlisted 
in  his  coimtry's  cause  in  August,  1S()2,  in  Comi)any  P,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  \'olunteer  (Mounted)  Infantry,  and  was 
honorably  discharge, 1  in  duly,  18(55.  Ho  was  woun-led  October  8, 
18(52,  at  the  battle  of   Perrvville,  Kentuckv.     Mr.  Pugh  has  been  a 


244  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMUEIJLAM)    COUXTV. 

resident  of  Cuinberljuul  County  ever  since  18:)3.  He  is  a  Repnblictm. 
He  came  to  Toledo  in  1881,  and  here  he  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pu.ijh  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  He  is  engaged 
in  dealing  in  stock  and  grain;  has  a  well  imi)roved  farm,  two  and  a 
half  miles  west  of  Toledo.  Ho  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  (Jumber- 
land  County,  and  is  a  man  of  just  principles  and  fair  dealing.  His 
success  in  life  indicates  as  much. 

A.  J.  REEVES,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  native  of  Hancock 
County,  Ind.,  born  June  22,  1851,  is  the  son  of  B.  F.  and  Caroline 
(Harlan)  Reeves,  the  oldest  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  comes 
of  English  extraction.  The  paternal  parent  of  Dr.  Reeves  was  born 
in  Ohio,  and  emigrated  to  Indiana  at  a  very  early  day,  and  is  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Hancock  County,  Ind.  He  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent men  in  the  township  in  which  he  lives.  He  has  been  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  seventeen  years.  He  still  resides  in  that  count v-  Dr. 
Reeves  worked  at  home  for  his  father  until  he  had  reached  his  major- 
ity, attending  school  in  the  winter  and  lal)oring  on  the  farm  in  the 
summer.  In  1872,  Dr.  Reeves  began  reading  medicine,  under  the 
instrnction  of  Dr.  R.  A.  Smith,  at  Grant  City,  Ind.  Here  he 
remained  two  years.  The  winters  of  187;5-4  and  1874-5,  he  attended 
lectures  at  the  Physic  Medical  College,  at  Indianapolis,  graduating 
from  that  institution  February  18,  1874,  and  in  March  following,  he 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  at  Grant  City,  Ind.  Here  he 
remained  about  two  years,  then  went  to  Maple  Valley,  Ind.,  and  there 
remained  until  May,  1882,  when  he  came  to  Toledo,  111.  He  has 
been  successful  in  the  practice.  He  was  married  February  C.  Cen- 
tennial year,  to  Adella  Farmer,  of  Cumberland  County,  111-  They 
have  had  three  children,  viz.:  Ann  F.,  Maggie  ]M.,  and  Benjamin  F. 
The  eldest  is  deceased.  He  is  a  Democrat;  is  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd-Fellows.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  physi- 
cians of  Cuml)erland  County,  and  is  an  honorable  and  pleasant  gen- 
tleman. 

HENRY  RHOADS,  farmer  :ind  hardware  dealer,  is  a  native  of 
Muskingum  Countv,  Ohio,  l)orn  danuary  81,  1824,  the  son  of  Abra- 
ham  and  Elizabeth  (Slater)  Rhoads.  the  eldest  in  a  family  of 
four  children,  and  is  of  German,  English  and  Irish  descent;  German 
on  his  father's  side,  and  a  mixture  of  th(>  English  :ind  Irish  on  his 
mother's  side.  The  father  of  Mr.  Rhoads  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  mother  in  Virgini:).  His  father  Avas  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1H12,  and  was  at  Hull's  s>n-render.  When  the  subject  of  this  notice 
was  five  vears  of  aire,  his  parents  left  Ohio  ;ind  came  to  Vermillion 


(  rT>     OK    roF.KDO    AM)    >rAIPTKi;    TOAVNsmi*.  245 

County,  liul..  and  then  removed  to  Coles  County.  111.,  and  there  the 
parents  died,  father  in  May,  18r)8.  and  mother  in  April,  18()4.  In 
1850,  the  snbjeet  of  this  sketch  came  to  Cumberland  County,  aad 
settled  at  Greenup,  and  began  olerkinu'  in  the  store  of  Brewer  & 
Fieklin.  In  1853,  he  began  the  mercantile  business  in  Greenup,  and 
there  remained  six  years,  and  then  came  to  Toledo;  came  to  this 
town  November  20,  1800,  and  here  has  lived  ever  since.  He  was 
married  DecemlH>r  !),  1855,  to  Miss  Marnaret  E.  Shull,  daughter  of 
Michael  Shull.  Mrs.  Rhoa-ls  was  also  born  in  Ohio.  To  this  mar- 
riaee  was  born  tive  children,  viz.:  Laura,  William,  John  B.,  Robert 
S.,  and  Brother,  of  whom  all  are  deceased  cxce]:)t  John  B.  Mr. 
Rhoads  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  18G0,  was  elected  Sheritf  of  Cumber- 
land County.  In  18(i8.  he  was  elected  Treasurer,  and  in  1S()(;,  he 
was  elected  Sheritl"  for  a  second  term.  lie  has  taken  an  active  part 
in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity;  mad(^  a  Mason 
about  1871.  In  1881,  Mr.  Rhoads  began  the  hardAvare  business  in 
Toledo,  and  this  he  still  continues.  Mr.  Rhoads  is  one  of  the  pio- 
neei-s  of  Cumberland  County,  and  one  of  its  most  respected  citizens. 
He  has  many  friends,  but  no  known  enemies.  He  is  one  of  those 
plain,  common,  every  day  kind  of  men  in  whom  the  honest  will 
always  tind  a  benefactor. 

LEVI   B.    ROSS,   ex-County   Clerk,  was  boi-n  in    Cund)erland 
County,  III.,  Xoveml)er  4,  1843,  is  the  son  of  Meredith  B.  and  Chris- 
tina ( Beals)  Ross,  the  tliird  in  a  family  of  twelve  children,  and  is  of 
German-English  descent.     The  father  of  Mr.  Ross  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  his  mother  in  Pennsylvania.     The  maternal  grandfather 
of  Mr.  Ross  was  a  Major-Genera  1   in   the   Black  Hawk   war.     The 
parents  of  Mr.  Ross  came  to  Cumberland  County  in  a  very  early  day, 
and  settled  in  Woodbury  Township,  near  the   old  town  of  Wood- 
burj-.     In  the  spring  of  18')2,  the  subject  of  this  mention  came  to 
Toledo,  and  here  has  since  remained.     The  marriage  of  Mr.  Ross 
took  place  May  20,  18(j(),  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Rhoads.  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham Rhoads.     Mrs.  Ross  was  born  in  Coles  County,  111.     They  have 
had  five  children  born  to  them,  viz.:  Nevada,  Lewis  B.,  Lula,  ^linnie, 
and  an  infant  that  died  unnamed.     Politically,  Mr.  Ross  is  a  Demo- 
crat; cast  his  tirst  Presidential  vote  for  McClellan.     In  1S77,  he  was 
elected  County  Clerk;  served  five  years.    He  has  been  deputy  county 
clerk,   and  deputy  circuit  clerk,  and  deputy  sherift'.     He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.     In   1881,  Mr.  Ross  engaged  in  the 
hay  business.     In  1882,  he  shipped  about  800  tons.     He  has  a  farm 
of  1(?0  acres,  two  miles  northwest  of  Toledo,     ^li'.  Ross  is  one  of  the 


24tl  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTT: 

pioneers  of  Cumberland  County,  having  lived  in  the  county  contin- 
ually for  forty  years.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Cumber- 
land County. 

GEORGE  STARGER,  proprietor  of  the  Toledo  City  Mills,  is  a 
native  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  bom  February  23,  ISM],  the  sou 
of  George  W.  and  Dorothea  Starger,  the  third  in  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren, and  of  German  descent.     The  parents  of  Mr.  Starger  were  born 
in  Germany.     They  died  there,  mother  in  1870,  and  father  in  1880. 
His  father  was  enterprising  in  his  nature,  and  one  of  the  prominent 
and  highly  respected  men  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.     His 
business  was  that  of  a  general  merchant  and  trader.     In  18(15  the  sub- 
ject of  this  mention  came  to  America.     After  Mr.  Stai'ger  came  to  the 
United  States,  he  worked  one  year  at  his  trade  (that  of  a  miller)  in 
Syracuse,  New  York,  then  came  to  Ripley  County,  Indiana,  remained 
one  year,  then  went  to  Cincinnati  and  worked  three  and  a  half  yeai's 
for  one  of  the  greatest  millers  of  Ohio.     He  then  came  to  Effing- 
ham County,  Illinois,  remaining  three  years  and  six  months.     In  De- 
cember, 1872,  Mr.  Starger  came  to  Toledo  and  rented  a  half  interest 
in  the  City  Mills  for  tln-ee  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
purchased  the  latter  hal  f.    He  is  now  sole  proprietor  of  the  Mills.    Mr. 
Starrer  has  beofun  the  erection  of  a  new  brick  mill,  35x40  feet,  with 
an  engine  room  30x40  feet.     The  same  will  cost  about  $1,400.     The 
mill  will  contain  all  the  modern  improvements.     Mr.  Starger  was 
married  September  23,  18(59,  to  Rachel  Marher.     Mrs.  Starger  was 
born  in  Jackson   County,  Indiana.     They  have  three  children,  viz.: 
William,  Charles,  and  Mary.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.     Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Starger  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.     In  addition  to 
the  milling  business,  he  is  engaged  in  stock  dealing.     He  is  one  of  the 
best  millers  of  eastern  Illinois,  and  the  Starger  Hour  is  noted  far  and 
near  for  its  excellent  quality.     He  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  men 
in  Cumberland  County,  and  advocates  all  enterprises  that  are  for  the 
good  of  the  county,  and  general  humanity.     He  is  an  honorable  citi- 
zen, and  one  of  the  leadins:  business  men  of  the  countv-     In  business 
he  has  been  successful,  and  has  made  liis  own  way  through  life. 

JOHN  B.  TOSSEY,  dealer  in  general  merchtindising,  was  born 
in  Toledo,  111.,  June  K],  181)1,  is  the  son  of  Stephen  D.  and  Sarah 
(Graham)  Tossey,  the  fifth  in  a  familj'^  of  eight  children,  and  is  of 
Enirlish-French  lineaiie.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Tossev  were  born  in  the 
Buckeye  State.  They  came  to  Cumberland  County,  Sumpter  Town- 
ship, 111.,  in  Is.")!.  They  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the 
Township.       The  parents  died  in  this  county,  father  in   1873,   and 


CITY    OF   TOLEDO    ANO    SU3IPTER    TOWNSHIP-  247 

mother  in  1878.  In  1881,  Mr.  Tosspy  begun  business  in  Toledo  in 
the  drug  line,  continued  the  druc"  business  a  short  time,  and  then 
beofun  the  business  of  general  merchandising.  He  is  thejunior  member 
of  the  tirm  known  as  Mumford  &  Tossey-  They  keep  a  complete  line 
of  dry  goods,  h:its,  caps,  boots,  shoes,  groceries,  etc  Mr.  Tossey 
has  a  good  business  education.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the 
Town  Board  of  Toledo.  He  has  been  succcessful  in  business,  and  is 
one  of  the  principal  business  men  of  Toledo.  Tlirough  energy  and 
prudence  he  has  succeeded.  He  is  also  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Toledo. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Tossey  served  two  terms  as  Circuit  Clerk  of  Cum- 
berland County. 

J.  H.  YANAWAY,  :M.  D.,  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
August  24,  182(i,  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Regina  (Ilarter)  Yanawa}^  is 
the  ninth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  and  is  of  Dutch  descent.  The 
father  of  Dr.  Yanaway  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  his  mother  in 
Maryland.  His  father  died  in  Ohio,  and  his  mother  in  Cumberland 
County,  111.  In  1854  Dr.  Yanaway  came  to  Cumberland  County, 
and  settled  in  Toledo.  Here  he  still  resides.  In  1850  he  began 
studying  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  F.  Dolison,  at  West  Rushville, 
Ohio.  He  attended  lectures  at  Starling  Medical  College,  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  began  practicing  his  profession  in  1853,  and  has  been 
in  active  practice  ever  since.  He  was  married  July  12..  1855,  to  Miss 
Rebecca  Haines,  of  Morgan  County,  Ohio.  They  have  five  children, 
viz.:  Albert  H.,  Mary  V.,  Flora  R.,  William  J.,  and  Winnie.  He  is 
a  Democrat,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Council.  In  18135,  he 
established  a  drug  store  in  Toledo.  Tliis  was  the  first  regular  drug 
store  in  Cumberland  County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity. As  a  practitioner  of  medicine,  he  has  been  successful.  He 
is  an  honorable  citizen  and  a  prominent  physician.  In  addition  to  his 
drug  store  and  comfortable  residence  in  the  town  of  Toledo,  he  has 
209  acres  of  good  land,  in  close  proximity  to  the  town.  Mr.  Yar.a- 
way  is  a  man  quite  pronounced  in  his  views,  an  I  unyielding  in  argu- 
ment until  he  is  thoroughly  convinced  of  his  error. 


248  BIOGKAPHICAL    8KKTCHES — (IMUKKLAM)    COrNTV: 


GREENUP  TOWNSHIP. 

MRS.  KOBEKT  AKTHUK,  Gr-enup.  was  born  Maivli  4,  1816, 
in  Baltimore,  Md.  She  Aveiit  with  her  parents  to  Jetierson  County, 
Ohio,  where  she  was  raised  in  the  ordinary  routine  work  of  a  poor 
farmer's  daughter,  and  received  a  good  education,  principtilly  by 
home  study.  In  1841  she  married  Robert  Arthur.  Mr.  A.  soon 
after  marriage  rented  a  woolen  factory  in  Jefferson  County,  but 
later  bought  a  woolen  factory  in  another  part  of  the  same  county, 
which  factory  he  ran  until  1858,  when  he  moved  to  Cumberhmd 
County,  Illinois,  having  made  several  trips  to  the  county  prior  to 
that  time,  and  in  1853  bought  land  wdiich  he  settled  on  in  1858. 
Here  he  interested  himself  in  milling  and  farming,  in  which  he  was 
eminently  successful.  He  occupied  a  leading  position  in  society,  and 
was  known  as  a  man  of  s^reat  determination  and  decision  of  charac- 
ter  and  highly  respected.  At  his  death  (when  sixty-four  years  old) 
he  left  a  large  property,  the  result  of  industry  and  economy.  Mrs 
Arthur  is  living  on  the  home  place  adjoining  Greenup,  and  conducts 
the  business  alfairs  of  the  farm.  She  stands  high  socially;  noted 
for  her  generosity  and  her  benevolent  disposition.  They  had  nine 
children,  viz.:  Eliza  A.  (deceased),  Joshua  W.,  Rebecca  J..  Margaret 
S.,  JohnF.,  Mary  E.,  Hannah  1).,  Robert  G.,  Etlic  B.  (deceased). 
Mrs.  Arthur  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

JAMES  W.  ARTHUR,  merchant,  Greenup,  was  born  February 
10, 1843,  near  Steubenville,  Ohio.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  work- 
ino-  in  his  father's  woolen  factory  and  attending:  school  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  wdien  he  left  school  and  took  a  position  in 
the  woolen  factory,  remaining  there  until  1872,  when  he  opened  a 
clothin<j  and  cents'  furnishiui'-  "oods  store  in  Greenuit.  He  started 
with  but  little  capital,  which  was  borrow^ed.  He,  however,  success- 
fully conducted  the  business,  and  later,  with  the  assistance  of  friends, 
who  endorsed  for  him  to  the  full  amount,  he  bought  ;i  $2,500  stork 
of  general  merchamlise,  and  has  since  carried  on  a  mercantile  busi- 
ness. He  soon  established  a  good  bnsiness  reputation,  being  con- 
sidered reliable  and  promi)t  in  business  matters  and  energetic  and 
enterprising.  He  now  does  an  annnal  business  of  $40,000,  and  car- 
ries a  stock  of  about  $l5,()()n.      II*'    is   assisted   in    the   store    bv  his 


IJKKKM'I'    TOWNSlIll'. 


249 


brothers,  George  and  John.  John  is  l)()ok-k('opov.  havin<^-  g-nulimtcd 
at  the  Terre  Haute  C'oniineieial  College.  George  oversees  the 
advertising.  He  has  a  (juantity  of  type  and  a  press,  from  which  he 
issues  a  monthly  paper,  advertising  the  store.  Mr.  A.  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Greenu[)  Bank.  In  I8()(i  he  joined  the  I.  C  O-  F.  and 
passed  all  the  chairs,  and  has  been  a  representative  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State.  He  has  contributed  largely  to  all  religious  and 
public  enterprises,  and  is  an  uncompromising  temperance  man,  being 
a  member  of  the  various  temperance  organizations.  Mr.  Arthur  has 
met  with  nninv  losses  in  l)usiness,  but  the  personal  contidence  re- 
posed  in  him  enabled  him  to  continue.  He  carries,  at  present,  the 
laro-est  and  best-selected  stock  of  general  merchandise  at  Greeuup, 
and  is  doing  the  most  extensive  business.  On  June  80,  18G7,  he 
married  Mrs.  Minerva  Houghton,  of  Greenup,  widow  of  R.  W. 
Houghton,  at  one  time  a  prominent  citizen  and  editor  of  a  paper  at 
Greenup. 

JOSEPH  B  ATT  YE,  tarmer  (post-office,  Greenup),  was  born  in 
Yorkshire.  England,  October  31,  1819.  He  was  given  a  good  educa- 
tion in  England,  but  his  occupation  was  raising  market  vegetables. 
When  of  ao-e  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  soon  after  his  ar- 
rival  settling  in  Hancock  County,  Indiana,  and  engaging  in  farming. 
Then  he  went  to  Indianapolis  and  opened  a  meat  market,  and  con- 
ducted it  for  three  years;  then  returned  to  Hancock  County  and 
resumed  farming.  He  came  to  Cumberland  County  in  1850,  bought 
forty  acres,  and  now  has  eighty  acres  of  well  improved  land,  a  good 
residence,  a  fine  on-hard  of  choice  fruit— all  the  result  of  industry 
and  economy.  In  18()8  he  came  to  Greenup  and  embarked  in  the 
mercantile  business.  He  continued  in  this  seven  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  his  fann.  He  has  held  various  offices  in  the  towniship; 
has  baen  school  director  and  Township  Treasurer.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church;  also  his  wife. 

JOSEPH  D.  BORDEN,  poultry  dealer,  Greenup,  w^as  born 
Mirch  17,  1843,  in  Ronton  County,  Alabama.  His  father  was  a 
minister  in  the  Christian  Church,  and  died  a  short  time  before  the 
birth  of  our  subject.  His  mother  died  wdien  he  was  but  nine  years 
old.  He  remained  in  Alabama  until  he  was  sixteen  yeai*s  old,  and 
obtaincl  a  fair  education  entirely  by  home  study,  at  night,  by  the 
light  of  burning  pine  knotti.  At  fifteen  years  old  he  taught  school; 
when  a])out  seventeen  he  went  to  Louisiana,  where  he  farmed; 
thence  to  Jackson  County,  Tennessee;  thence  to  Cumberland  County, 
Kentucky.     At    eighteen  years  of  age  he  enlisted   in  Company  I, 


250  BIOCrRArillCAL    SKETCHES — CUMBEULAXD    COUNTY : 

First  Kentucky  Cavaliy,  ami  served  in  that  regiment  two  years. 
He  was  then  coniniissioned  Sscond  Lieutenant  of  Company  G, 
Thirty-83venth  Kentucky  (Mounted)  Infantiy,  for  gallant  service  at 
"  Datton  Mill."  At  the  battle  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  he  was  taken 
prisoner,  and  while  under  guard  made  his  escape.  He  was  several 
days  without  food,  and  had  many  narrow  escapes  from  recapture 
before  he  succeeded  in  rejoining  his  company.  Some  time  after  the 
war  he  went  to  Coles  Count}',  111.,  and  run  a  brickyard.  Then  he 
went  to  Effingham,  111.,  managed  a  brickyard  one  year,  and  in  1872 
came  to  Greenup.  He  first  made  brick,  then  farmed,  and  finally 
established  himself  in  his  present  business  of  poultry  and  produce 
and  commission  merchant,  in  wdiich  he  is  now  doing  a  thriving 
business.  He  also  owns  some  valuable  land  near  the  mineral  well. 
He  is  a  radical  Prohibitionist  on  the  temperance  question,  and  has 
several  times  bsen  elected  to  the  Town  Board  on  the  Anti-License 
ticket.  He  has  always  taken  a  very  active,  leading  part  in  all  tem- 
perance movements  and  organizations,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Town  Board  when  the  saloons  were  abolishel,  and  to  his  efforts  it 
is  mainly  attributable.  On  July  4,  18j5,  he  married  Fannie  R. 
Wheat,  of  Adair  County,  Kentucky.  She  has  borne  her  husband 
two  childreii — Joseph  D.  and  Robert. 

H.  BOWiSIAN,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  w^as  born  in  Guil- 
ford County,  North  Carolina,  March  15,  1815.  At  seventeen  years 
of  age,  he  began  life  for  himself.  Going  to  JNIorgau  County,  Ind.,  he 
first  leased,  then  bought  a  farm.  In  1851,  he  sold  out  and  came  to 
Cumberland  County.,  111.,  and  entered  land.  He  now  owns  160  acres 
of  well  imp:oved  land,  on  which  he  now  resides;  also,  a  large  farm, 
which  has  just  been  awarded  him  by  the  Court  after  a  protracted 
lawsuit,  growing  out  of  a  trade  made  upon  fraudulent  representa- 
tions. He  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Lucinda 
Robinson,  in  1888.  They  had  ten  children,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living — ]\Ialina  and  James  E.  She  died  in  18  VJ.  His  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Miss  Lucinda  Dabnor,  of  Virginia.  They  have  five 
children,  viz.:  Peter,  William  T.,  Matilda,  Samuel  and  Thomas. 
Mr.  B.  is  a  man  of  fixed,  honorable  principles,  just  in  business  deal- 
ings, social  and  genial  in  his  personal  relations,  and  thus  has  the 
high  regard  and  esteem  of  all  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 

Dli.  RICHARD  T.  COLLIVER,  Greenup,  was  born  August  24, 
1848,  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky.,  and  went  with  his  father,  Sam- 
uel, to  Indiana,  in  1852,  and  settled  iii  Putnam  County.  His  father 
was  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  that  State,  in  18132,  and  also  tauirht 


GREENUP   TOAVNSHIP.  251 

school  for  leii  years.  He  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace,  a  position  he 
has  hehl  for  twelve  yeai's.  Our  subject  remained  at  home  until  he 
was  twentv-four  years  of  aiifc.  attendine-  school  and  working-  on  the 
farm,  when  he  went  to  Kansas,  and  there  engaged  in  the  stock  busi- 
ness; then  returned  to  Indiana,  and  went  into  saw-mill  and  lumber 
business,  in  Putnam  County.  He  then  studied  medicine  in  C'incin- 
nati,  graduating  from  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  in  that  city.  He 
came  to  Greenup  on  October  17,  IH&2,  and  now  has  a  flourishing 
medical  practice.  He  is  a  young  man  of  good  ability  and  fine 
address,  and  it  is  fair  to  predict  for  him  a  brilliant  future.  The  Doc- 
tor secured  a  thorough  literary  education  at  Asbury  University, 
Greencastle,  Ind. 

WILLIAM  CAMPBELL,  retired  tanner,  Greenup,  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  April  7,  18()o.     He  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  fourteen  yeai-s  old,  then  went  to  his  Uncle  Robert  Campbell's, 
with  whom  he  made  his  home  until  1824.      Prior  to  this  time,  he 
had  worked  clearing  and  opening  a  farm,  and  attending  common 
school.     On  November  7,  1824,  he  married  Lucinda  Reed,  of  Frank- 
lin CountJ^    She  was  born  April  21,  1807.    Soon  after  his  marriage, 
he  rented  a  farm  for  two  years;  then  bought  fifty  acres,  on  which  he 
lived  eio-ht  years.     Sellino-  this,  he  bought  129  acres  near  Central 
Colleire,  Franklin  County,  and  lived  on  this  farm  eiirhteen  years. 
He  then  sold  this,  and  bought  320  acres  in  Paulding  County,  also 
still  owning  112  acres  in  Franklin  County.     Then  he  traded  a  part  of 
the  Paulding  County  land   tor  property  close  to  Central  College; 
then  left  farming,  and  kept  hotel  in  Central  College,    remaining 
there  ten  years.     He  also  was  for  a  long  time  postmaster.    Then  he 
sold  out  and  came  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  bought  23-')  acres 
of  land  on  the  Parker  prairie,  six  miles  from  Greenup.     This  land 
he  placed  in  cultivation,  taking  it  when  it  was  an  unbroken  i)rairie. 
He  built  a  residence  and  barn,  and  set  out  a  large  orchard  of  all 
kinds  of  fruit.     He  now  lives  in  town,  and  is  worth  $12,000,  owning 
four  town  residences,  after  giving  one  to  a  married  daughter — all 
made  and  saved  by  energy  and  industry.     His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.     His  tirst  vote  for  President  was  for  Andrew 
Jackson.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  C  are  parents  of  eight  children,  viz.:  Nor- 
man, Almira,  Philetus,  Susan,  George,   Sarah,  Orlena  J.,  Mary,  all 
married  and  living,  and  all  exceptionally  prosperous  in   life.      Mr. 
and  Mrs.  C.  are  now  living  in  a  neat  cottiige  residence,  in  Greenup, 
in  good  health  and  very  active.     They  are  good  for  another  decade 
of  happy  life. 

15 


252  BIOGIIAPHICAL    SKETCHES— CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

WILLIAM  II.  C'ATEY,  farmer,  post-office  Greenup,  was  bom 
in  Randolj)!!  County,  Ind.,  Janu:iry  28,  1847-     His  grandfather  was 
kidnapped,  when  a  boy,  in  Germany,  and  brought  to  New  Jersey,  in 
this  oountry,  and  sold  out  three  years  to  a  hatter  to  pay  his  ship 
passage.     He  learned  the  trade  with  him,  and  remained  in    New 
Jersey  until  1822,  when  he  went  to  Wayne  County,  Ind..  where  he 
died  in  18.^1.     William,  the  third  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and 
fiither  of  our  sul)je("t,  remained  on  the  farm  until  of  age,  then  went 
to   Kosciusko   County,   Ind.,   and  farmed  one  year.     He  then  mar- 
ried Sarah  Davidson,  of  Randolph  County,  Ind.     They  were  parents 
of  six  children.     Our  subject  was  the  third  child.     He  remained  at 
home  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  and  was  given 
a  common  school  education.     At  the  early  age  of  seventeen  j^ears, 
he  enlisted  in  the  army,  and  served  out  his  term.     He  then  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Seventh  Indiana  Infantry, 
and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.     His  older 
brothers  were  all  killed  in  the  war.    On  his  return  home,  he  assimiecl 
the  management  of  the  home  farm,  and  the  sup])ort  of  the  parents 
and  the  family  until  1870.    In  1872,  he  came  to  Cumberland  County. 
111.,  buying  a  farm,  where  he  now  lives.     On  September  18,  1873,  he 
married  Sarah  J.  AVilliams.     To  them  have  been  born  five  children, 
viz.:  Infant,  Eva,  Cora  A.,  Carrie  Z.,  Jessie  E.     His  farm  consists  of 
1()0  acres  of  fertile  bottom  land.     His  residence,  with  surrounding 
conveniences,  is  located  on  a  high  knoll  overlooking  the  farm  and 
the  river  that  runs  by  it,  presenting  a  picturesque  appearance.     He 
has  the  finest  barn  in  the  township,  and  equal  to  any  in  the  coimty. 
It  cost  $l,(iOO,  and  has  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  tons  of  hay  and 
2,000  bushels  of  ormin.     It   was   built   in  accordance  with  reijular 
architectural  plans,  and  is  perfect  in  its  convenience  and  arrangement. 
SAMUEL  W.  CLARK,  dealer  in  grain  and  agricultural  im- 
l)lements,  Greenup,  was  born  under  the  American  colors  on  board 
the  ''  Black  Star,"  an  old  sailing  vessel,  coming  into  the  harbor  of 
New  York  on  July   19,  1848.     His   parents  were  of  Scotch-Irish 
lineage,  and  settled  in  New  York  City,  the  father  being  a  contractor 
and  builder.     When  fifteen  years  old  our  subject  ran  away  from 
home,  went  to  Ohio,  and  hired  out  by  the  month  at  farm  work  to 
Z.  llamma,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Avar  of  the  Rebellion,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred 
and  Tenth  Ohio  \  olunteci-  Infantry.     He  remained  in  the  service  one 
year,  when  he  was  dischari^c'd  for  disability.     At  the  end  of  a  year  he 
airain  enlisted  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  served  until  the  close 


OKEENUP    TOWNSHIP.  25o 

(A  the  war.  He  particii)ato<l  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  Kasterii 
army,  and  at  the  battle  of  Clii(ka)nau.<»-a  was  severely  wounded.  After 
his  diseharire  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  to  liis  former  employer,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  marriage.  Mr.  (".  attributes  his  success  in 
life  to  the  thorough  l)usiness  traininij'  received  at  the  hands  of  Mr. 
II.,  who  always  took  an  interest  in  him  ;ind  his  futmc  in-os])ects. 
Kneriretip,  self-reliant,  and  naturally  a  shrewd,  keen  trader,  Mr. 
Clark  lias  rapidly  accmuulated  a  lari>e  property,  now  ownino-  400 
acres  of  well  improved  farm  land,  several  pieces  of  valuable  town 
property,  an  elei»ant  residence  in  Greenup,  l)esides  havin,i>-  a  laro-e 
capital  invested  in  the  ag-ricultural  implement  business  and  in 
building  a  patent  hay  press,  for  which  he  owns  the  exclusive  right  to 
the  State  of  Illinois.  On  December  17.  l-STS,  he  married  Rosanna 
Harner,  of  Ohio.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  bright  little  girls — 
Mary  E.  and  .\da  M. 

CHARLES  COXZET,  Sr.,  proprietor  Conzet  House,  Greemip, 
is  the  only  child  of  Peter  Conzet,  Avho  was  an  officer  in  the  Austrian 
army.  He  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  October  .").  MUU,  was 
given  a  very  thorough  literary  education,  completed  a  coui-se  of 
study  in  Materia  Medica.  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  went  to  the 
Crimea,  remaining  two  ^ears  in  an  apothecary  establishment;  thence 
to  Odessa,  in  Beserabia,  and  engaged  in  the  same  business  for  two 
years;  then  returned  to  Hanover.  Then  with  his  father  he  went  to 
Friesland.  in  the  Hanovarian  Kingdom,  and  assisted  his  father  in 
the  management  of  a  theatre.  Then  he  went  alone  to  Amsterdam, 
Holland,  and  volunteered  in  the  naval  service  for  two  years,  doing 
duty  along  the  coast  of  Africa,  hunting  down  pirates.  In  1825  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  first  landing  in  New  York.  He  was 
there  first  employed  as  a  barber;  then  as  silversmith;  then  he  taught 
school.  He  then  went  to  Philadcli)hia,  remaining  there  until  1S2S, 
when  he  went  with  a  colony  of  seven  young  men  to  Holmes  County, 
Ohio,  and  purchased  100  acres  of  land.  He  farmed  there  until  1.S48, 
when  he  came  to  Cumberland  C/Ounty,  111.  Here  he  bought  two 
farms,  which  he  tended  four  years;  then  bought  the  in*esent  loca- 
tion of  the  Conzet  House,  Greenu[),  and  built  the  hotcd  which  he 
has  conducted,  in  connection  with  other  business,  ever  since.  He 
luis  also  given  attention  to  contracting  and  1)uilding,  having  con- 
structed thirteen  of  the  best  buildings  in  this  town.  In  18')4  he 
went  to  Minnesota  and  entered  land,  but  did  not  live  on  the  claim 
long  enough  to  hold  it,  owing  to  Indian  troubles.  He  came  home, 
l>ut  in  I8tl8  returned    and    entered  and    improved    a   farm   tVom  the 


254  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

timber.  He  sold  out  in  ISTO  and  returned  to  his  family  in  Greenup, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  On  October  ."),  1825,  he  married  Mar}'^ 
Snearrv,  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  eight  children,  all  living 
save  one  (William). 

JOHN  COXZET,  jeweler,  Greenup,  was  born  October  2;^,  1845, 
in  Holmes  County,  Ohio.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
seventeen,  when,  July  10,  18(>2,  he  enlisted  in  Comptmy  13,  One  Him- 
dred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  July 
10,  18(55.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Pcrryville,  Chickamauga, 
Hoover's  Gap,  etc.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  Minnesota 
and  farmed,  and  in  that  State  learned  the  jewelers"  trade.  Then  he 
came  to  Greenup,  and  with  some  associates  hired  a  teacher  and 
gave  some  time  to  study  and  self-instruction.  Then  he  assisted 
his  parents  in  keeping  a  hotel,  then  farmed,  and  finally  opened  his 
present  jewelry  store.  He  now  has  a  large  stock  and  a  neat  place 
of  business,  and  a  flourishing  trade.  It  is  the  only  store  of  the 
kind  in  Greenup.  His  store  at  one  time  was  entered  and  $1,500 
worth  of  goods  stolen,  and  never  recovered.  As  a  Republican  he 
has  been  elected  three  times  as  Township  Collector.  Mr.  Conzet  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  G.  A.  K.  On  Fc))ruary  S,  1872, 
he  married  Miss  Hannah  II.  Houghton,  of  Greenup.  They  have 
three  children — Leonora  B.,  Bertha  (deceased),  Jessie  P. 

JULIUS  C  CONZET,  confectioner,  Greenup,  was  born  April 
2G,  1849,  in  Greemip,  Cumberland  (V)unty,  and  is  the  youngest  J 
child  of  Charles  Conzet,  whose  sketch  is  elsewhere  given.  In  early 
life  he  was  given  a  good  education,  and  graduated  from  the  Terre 
Haute,  Ind..  Commercial  College.  He  began  life  for  himself  at 
sixteen  years  of  age  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store:  tluMi  with  a 
partner  established  a  dry  goods  store;  then  a  grocery  and  li(|uor 
store,  after  which  he  retired  from  active  l)usiness  for  a  time.  He 
then  started  his  present  business  of  confectionery,  groceries,  and 
lunch-room.  He  carries  a  large  stock,  and  his  store  is  neat  and 
tastily  arranged,  and  presents  an  appearance  creditable  to  any  large 
commercial  center.  He  was  married  in  February,  1874,  to  Hannah 
D.  Arthur,  of  Greenui).  They  have  had  Iwo  children.  \  i/...  Duke 
and  Freddie  (deceased). 

JOSEPH  M.  COOK,  hardware  store,  Greenup,  was  born  March 
5,  1848,  in  Hocking  County,  Ohio.  His  father,  .James  Cook,  Mas  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  coming  to  (.umberland  (/ounty  in  18r)7.  He 
was  a  prominent  citizen  and  tempei-ance  man.  and  took  a  deep 
interest  in  and  <lc\()te(l  much  of  his  time  to  the  cause.     Our  subject 


OREENUr    TOWNSHIP.  255 

was  irivoii  a  good  education  and  learned  tlie  tinners'  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  in  various  parts  of  Illinois  and  Missouri.  While  in 
the  latter  State  he  married  Alniira  Smith  on  January  10,  1M*J9, 
and  the  following  year  came  to  Greenup  and  started  a  hardware 
and  tin  store.  He  now  has  the  only  store  exclusively  given  to  that 
line  of  iioods.  The  store  is  well  stocked  and  has  a  ofood  trade.  Mr. 
Cook  is  a  leading  business  man  and  has  a  high  social  standing.  The 
pjircnts  have  two  children,  viz.:  Benjamin  F.  and  (iladdv.  They 
are  ])right  children  and  well  advanced  in  their  studies,  being  regular 
attendants  of  the  public  school. 

flOIlN  C  DEES, grocer,  Greenup,  Avas  born  in  Randolph  County, 
III.,  October  20,  1-^4.3,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but  went  south,  and  at 
sixteen  3''ears  of  age  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  amiy  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  and  served  until  its  close.  He  was  in  seven- 
teen general  battles,  and  on  two  hundred  and  sixty-tive  days'  skirmish 
duty,  having  been  wounded  three  times.  While  in  the  ser\'ice  he 
took  prisoner  his  present  father-in-law,  who  was  in  the  Federal  army 
at  the  time,  and  for  years  after  the  serWce  each  was  a  stranger  to 
the  other.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  worked  on  various  railroads  in 
Missouri  and  Illinois:  then  he  went  to  Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he 
was  a  street  car  conductor  for  five  years.  He  then  came  to  Greenup 
and  ojK'ned  a  grocery  store,  his  present  Inisiness,  having  a  large 
stock  and  a  good  trade  in  that  line.  In  1872,  Mr.  Dees  married 
Sarah  E.  Williams,  of  Greemup.  To  them  have  })een  born  three 
children,  viz.:  Charles  C-  (deceased),  Cora  and  Oma. 

JOHN  DUNN,  farmer,  was  born  August  17,  1X22,  in  Carroll 
County,  K}'.,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  had  poor  educational  advan- 
tages. He  left  home  to  do  for  himself  at  eighteen  years  of  age,  earn- 
ing $10  per  month.  Then  he  went  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  married,  May  4, 1S47,  to  Miss  Susan  Yclton,Avho  has  borne  him 
six  children,  viz.:  Cornelia,  Robert,  Louis  J.,  Franklin,  Jeremiah 
and  William.  All  are  married  Init  Robert  and  William.  Mr.  D.  is 
an  old  settler,  and  made  his  entire  property  here.  He  has  a  farm 
of  1»>2  acres,  wellJ^iini)roved:  he  has  also  dealt  largely  in  cattle.  He 
has  been  a  school  director  and  supervisor;  is  ;i  deacon  in  the  Bap- 
tist (1nn-ch. 

WILLIAM  EWART,  retired  farmer,  (xreennp.  was  born  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  June  21>,  1814.  He  is  the  fourth  in  a  family  of 
eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living^ — in  very  old  age. 
James  Ewart,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  came  to  the  United  States 
from  Ireland,  and'settled  in  Pennsylvania.    I  lis  son,  and  father  of  our 


2r)»;  HKKJKAl'HIC'AL    SKETCHES — CU.MBEKLAM)    COUNTY: 

«;ul>iort.  Diivid.  was  horn  in  Ireland,  and  was  hut  six  weeks  old  when 
brouo-ht  to  tliis  country.     The  maternal  i^randfather  of  our  subject 
came  to  America  as  a  British  soldier  durint>-  the  Ivevolutionarv  war, 
but  deserted  and  served  four  years  under  General  Washington.    Our 
sul)ject  had  i)oor    educational    advantages  in  early    life,   attending 
school  a  few  months  to  an   '•■  old  Revolutionary  soldier.  Avhose  prin- 
cipal (|ualifieation  was  in  applying  the  rod.  and  who  required  all  reci- 
tations  to   be  made  in  the  loudest   possible    voice    of  the  scholar." 
^Ir.  Ewart    has  always  been  a  great  reader,  and   is  well   versed  in 
ancient  history.     \Vhen  he  was  ten  years  old    he  moved  with  his 
l)areuts  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.     His  father  there  leased  a  farm 
for  ei<>-ht  years,  and  there  died  in  \X?A).     ]\Ir.  E.  assisted  his  l)rothei-s 
in  working  out  the  lease.      In  l.So2  he   learned    the    trade   of  black- 
smith at  Fairfield,  Ind..  with  one  John  Allen,  and  with  him  went  to 
the  Tippecanoe   battle  ground,  near   La  Fayette.  Ind.     He  worked 
for  Alien  awhile  there,  and  then  started   for  himself,  at  Newtown. 
Fountain  Co.,  Ind.,  where   he  remained  until  18.^8,  when   he  came 
to  Ciunberland   County,  111.,  and  bought   a   farm.      In    farming   he 
has  l>een  princii)ally  engaged  ever  since,  now  owning  a  fine  farm, 
and    in    good    circumstances — the   result   of    his   own   energy    and 
industr}'.     On  March  ."),  1887,  he  married   Elizabeth  Titus,  who  died 
in  ls'){).     They  had  seven  children,   viz.:     James  A.,  Judson,  David 
A.,  John  F.,  Mary  X.,  Catherine,  and  an  infant,  all  now  deceased 
but  James.  Judson  and  John  P.     March  lo,  1851,  he  married,  for  his 
second  wife,  Sarah  Kirkpatrick.  who    has  borne  him  four   children, 
viz.:      Eudora.  Laura,  William  A.  and  Thomas  K..  all    living-.     This 
Avife  died  January  12,  1877.     On    August    2,  IS.si.  he  next  married 
Elmira  Conner,  wdio  is  still  living.     His  children  are  all  prosperous, 
financiall}^,  some  having  good  farms,  others  in  mercantile   business, 
and  one  owning  a  livery  stable  in  Greenup.     ]Mr.  E.  in  politics  is  a 
Republican,  having  been  formerly  a  Whig.     He  is  a  strong  advocate 
of  Prohibition;  Avas  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Temiierancc,  held  the 
position  ol'  Deputy  Grand  Patriarch,   and  has  since  been  identified 
with  all  temperance  work. 

XPJIEMIAII  FANCIIER.  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was 
born  in  Delawai'c  County.  Ohio,  August  2.S.  18^).).  and  when  sixteen 
years  old.  came  with  his  parents  to  (Jumberland  County.  111.  He  was 
given  a  good  eilucation.  and  wIkmi  he  had  attained  his  majority  his 
father  ga\ c  him  eighty  acre-;  of  unimpro\ cd  land,  which  he  placed 
under  cultivation  and  improve  1  anil  attended  until  ISlil.  when  he  en- 
listed as  a  pii\:ite  in  ( 'ompany  (i.  Tentli  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infantry, 


GREENUP   TOWNSHIP.  257 

and  served  t'orly  months,  and  tor  merit  was  promoted  to  Cor^joral, 
and  then  to  Ser«^eant.     lie  [)artieipated  in  many  of  the  hard-fought 
battles  of  the  war.     In  November,  1864,  he  married  Ellen   LaDow, 
of  Greenup,  daughter    of  (now)   Mrs.   Chas.  Nisewanger.     At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Cumberland  C'ountv,  and  re-eng-aijed 
in  farming,     lie  now  owns  250  acres  of  land  in  one  farm,  half  a  mile 
from  Greenup,  and  all   undin*  eultivation.     His  im))rovements  con; 
sist  of  a  large,  lino  brick  residence,  with  yard  decorated   with  shade 
and  evergreen  trees;  two  large  barns;  a  grainery;  a  large  cow  and 
hog  stable;   tool   and   farm  implement  shed;  foui-  wells,    a   large 
orchard  of  three  acres  of  select  fruit,  etc.     He  has  shade  trees  set 
out  along  the  lines  of  fences  all   over  his  fann.     The  farm  is  well 
stocked  with  the  best  breeds  of  cattle,  horses,  etc.     He  owns  a  steam 
hay  press,  which  he  operates  on  the  farm,  buying  and  pressing  hay 
for  the  market.     In  general  he  has  perhaps  the  finest  improved  farm 
in  the  county,  and  is  himself  enterprising  and  prosperous.     He  was  a 
member  of  the  Good  Tem[)lars  organization,  and  is  a  strong  temper- 
ance man.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  of  the  G. 
A.  R.     In  all  public  improvements  he  takes  an  active  part,  and  is  a 
liberal  contributor  to  all  charitable  and  benevolent  movements,  and 
is  highly  respected  by  the  community. 

JOHN  GREEN,  farmer,  post-office  Toledo,  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  January  15, 1882,  and  Avhen  eight  years  old  came  with 
his  parents  to  (Annljcrland  County,  Illinois,  his  father  having  entered 
200  acres  of  land  neai-  Toledo,  wdiicli  is  still  owned  b}'  his  heirs. 
Our  subject  was  raised  to  hard  work  on  the  home  farm,  shared  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life,  and  had  poor  school  advantages,  but  by  home 
study  din-ing  his  leisure  hours,  he  acquired  a  very  fair  education. 
On  December  5,  1858,  he  married  Ann  M.  Gardner,  who  has  borne 
her  husband  four  children,  viz. :  William,  Alice  F.,  John  D.,  and  Lewis 
F.  (deceased).    After  his  marriage,  he  first  rented  a  faiTu,  then  bought 
forty  acres  of  land.     He  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  been  very  suc- 
cessful, now  owning  -400  acres  of  land.     His  jirospin'ous  condition 
is  the  result  of  his  industry  and  strict   economy.     He  is  engaged 
in  stock-raising,  having  every  convenience  for  that  ])urpose.     His 
farms  are  well  stocked  with  sheep,  etc.     Mr.  Green  has  held  vari- 
ous i)olitical  positions,  among  which  are  Constable,  Deputy  Sheriff, 
Commissioner  of  Highways  and  School  Trustee.     He  is  public  spir- 
ited, and  contributes  liberally  to  all  religious  matters  and  benevolent 
institutions. 

JOHN  GRIM,  farmer  (post-office  Hazel  Dell),  was  born  in  Stark 


258  BIOGKAIMIKAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNT\': 

County,  Ohio,  on  November  26,  1<S21.  His  parents,  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Bush)  Grim,  were  natives  of  Maryland,  and  among  the  Hi-st 
settlers  of  Steubenville,  Ohio.  They  were  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, only  three  of  whom  survive,  viz.:  John,  our  subject,  Sarah  (De 
Witt),  of  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  and  Sophia  (Robb),  of  Roanoke, 
Ind.  Mr.  G.  left  home  when  twenty  years  old,  married  Catherine 
Goldsmith,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  farming,  Avhich  he  has 
always  followed.  He  came  to  Cumberland  County  soon  after  his  mar- 
riajre.  in  an  earh'  day.  He  inherited  $300  from  his  father,  and  with 
this  start  in  life  he  now  owns  a  farm  of  120 acres,  well  improved.  Mr. 
Grim  has  iriven  some  time  to  the  study  of  theology,  and  is  licensed  as  a 
minister  of  the  Christian  Church.  His  wife  is  also  a  member  of  the 
same  church.  He  is  always  charitable  to  the  poor,  has  a  high  social 
standing,  and  is  highly  respected  by  the  community  in  which  he 
resides. 

SILAS  W.  HUFFCUT  was  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber 10,  1831.     His  lather,  Sylvester  W.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812,  at  the  age  of  lifteen.     His  father  having  died  in  the  war,  he 
supported  the  family  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he 
married  Elizabeth  A.  Clark,  who  bore  him  seven  children,  only  two 
of  whom,  Sylvester  and  Silas,  are  still  living.     After  his  marriage  he 
went  to  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.  and  thence  to  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
until  1839,  when  he  came  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  settled  in 
Greenup.     At  the  end  of  two  years  he  moved  on  a  tarm  adjoining  the 
town.     He  was  a  local  preacher.     For  four  ycnirs  he  was  Assessor,  also 
a  charter  mem1)er  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.     He  died  on  December 
3,  185(>,  but  his  widow  is  still  livins;  at  theajre  of  eighty-three  years. 
Our  subject  remained  at  home,  working  on  the  farm  and  attending  the 
common  school,  until  1849,  when  he  went  to  Indiana,  and  run  a  ferry- 
boat on  the  Wabash  River  two  years,  at  Clinton,  then  returned  and 
learned  the  cari)enters'  trade,  which  has  been  his  principal  business 
since.    On  Decend^er  2, 18.')."),  he  married  liiichel  Shull,  of  Greenup.  To 
them  have  been  born  six  children, viz.:  Lillie,\\'ilson,  Eddie  (deceased), 
Grant  (deceased),  Caroline  and  I  lenry.    During  the  Avar  he  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  State  Conv,entiou  at  Springtield.  as  a  representative  of 
the  Union  League.     He  is  a  Republicnn  in  politics,  and  a  member  of 
the  Univei-salist  Church.    He  is  also  a  m('nd)i'r  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  hav- 
ing been  a  representative  to  the  Grand  I^odge  twice. 

DR.  NATHANIEL  G.  JAMES,  <lruggist,  Greenup,  was  born  in 
Montgomery  County,  Ind..  October  31,  1830.  He  ac(piired  a  good 
education  by  home  study,  and  in  improving  all   the) opportunities 


GREENUP   TOWNSHIP.  2o9 

which  the  tinios  and  that  locality  afforded.  Then  he  bci^an  the  study 
of  medicine  in  Indiana.  In  ISo^  he  went  to  Jas[)er  County,  111.,  and 
remained  there  two  years;  then  in  1 S,')')  he  went  to  Johnstown,  Cumber- 
hind  County,  and  he«-nn  the  practice  of  his  profession;  also  conducted 
a  mercantiU'  business.  In  IS?  1  lie  came  to  Greenup,  and  the  year  fol- 
lowino-  opened  a  drug  store,  which  he  has  since  carried  on  in  connec- 
tion with  his  practice.  As  a  physician  he  has  the  confidence  not  only 
of  the  community  and  kxal  jirofession,  but  an  extended  favorable  rep- 
utation and  hioh  standing  as  a  gentleman  and  a  physician  throughout 
southern  Illinois.  For  the  successful  and  skillful  [lerformance  of  a  very 
difficult  surgical  operation,  he  was  elected  an  honorary  member  of 
the  "■  Esculapian  Society  of  the  Wabash  Valley."'  As  a  business  man, 
he  has  been  eminently  successful.  He  now  owns  a  finely  improved 
farm  of  IGO  acres  in  Cottonwood  Township,  Cumberland  County,  a 
fine  residence  in  Greenup,  and  a  large  drug  store,  all  the  result  of 
industry,  economy,  and  good  manaoement.  He  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  building  up  and  improving  the  town,  contributing  largely  in 
money  from  his  own  private  resources.  To  his  efforts  is  greatly  due  the 
securing  of  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.  at  Greenup.  On  November  9,  1861, 
he  married  Margaret  L.  Vandewort.  They  have  six  children,  viz.: 
Jessie  B.,  now  Mrs.  Peters,  of  Greenup,  William  II.,  Leonard,  Bertha 
N.,  Edwin  B.  and  one  unnamed.  William  II.  is  now  eighteen  years 
old,  and  is  away  attending  school. 

JACOB  JENUIXE,  miller,  Greenup,  was  born  in  Columbus, 
Ohio,  on  November  30,  1^45.  His  early  life  was  spent  mostly  in 
workinir  i'l  2Tist-mills  and  learniii2r  the  milliufi-  business,  which  he 
has  followed  all  his  life.  He  commenced  life  for  himself  when 
twenty-three  years  old.  He  rented  his  father's  mill,  at  Bell  Air, 
Crawford  County,  111.,  and  ran  it  for  two  years  ;  then  went  into  the 
stock  business;  then  came  to  Greenup,  and  has  since  been  rinming  the 
*'  Cumberland  ^Nlills,''  and  dealing,  Avith  his  brother-in-law,  in  stock. 
They  are  doing  a  thriving  business.  The  mill  runs  day  and  night. 
On  January  4,  I  .S70,  he  married  Miss  Mary  L.  Matheny.  of  Bell  Air, 
111.  She  W{i,s  born  in  New  Albany,  Ind.,  July  2;"),  1^(42,  and  came  with 
her  i)arents  to  C!rawford  County,  111.,  when  ten  years  old,  but  later 
returned  to  New  Albany.  At  eighteen,  she  learned  dressmaking, 
and  for  ten  years,  or  until  the  time  of  marriage,  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness, having  an  establishment  at  Bell  Air,  III.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  have 
tour  children,  viz.:  Fred  M.,  Frank,  Merylin  R.,  and  Homer. 

CHARLES  G.  JONES,  miller,  Greenup,  was  born  in  Greenup 
TowiLship,  Cumberland  County,  111.,  November  3,  1852.     His  father. 


260  HIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Harrison  Jones.,  was  born  in  lf<28,  in  Tennessee.     He  never  had  but 
fifteen  days  in  school,  but  by  home  study,  while  t'armino-.  secured  a 
fair  education,  and  studied  law,  which  he  i)racticed  in  Greenup.     In 
1.S8<),  he  came  to  Cumberland  County,   farmed  and  practiced  law. 
His  first  Avife  was  Rebecca  Wall.     They  were  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, Charlas  beino-  the  youngest.     This  wife  died  in  l.s")8.     He  was 
next  married  to  Elizabeth  Wrioht.     They  were  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren.     At  the  age  of  eighteen,  our  subject  was  called  upon  to  main- 
tain the  famil3%  a  responsibilit}'  he  promj^tlv  and  cheerfulh"  accepted, 
and  has  continued  to  discharge  this  duty  up  to  the  present  in  a  cred- 
itable manner.     Mr.  ,).  had  limited  advantages  for  an  education,  but 
was  always  a  natural  mathematician  audAcry  quick  in  mental  arith- 
metic.     He   early   displayed  remarkable   business  talent,  and   has 
always  l)een  a  very  successful  trader.      His  first  venture  was  with 
$50  borrowed  money,  and  good  credit.     AVitli  this  he  bought  two 
car-loads  of  sheep,  on  which  he  realized  a  good  ])rofit.     He  has  con 
tinned  successful  in  stock-trading,  in  connection  with  other  business 
ever  since.      He  iiow  owns  several  large  farms,  a  fine  country  resi- 
dence, the  largest  saw-mill  in  the  county,  keeping  ten  teams  of  fine, 
large  horses  busy  in  hauling  luml)er.  He  has  capital  invested  in  several 
corporate  and  other  general  business  enterprises,  and  has  just  com- 
pleted a  $10,01)0  grist-mill  in  Greenni).     This  is  all  the  result  of  his  i 
l)ers()nal  industry,  good  management  and  strict  econoni}'.     In  all  his          I 
business  dealing's,  he  never  had  a  lawsuit,  and  in  his  personal  con- 
duct is  gentlemanly,  coiu'teous,  generous  and  ])ul)lic  s])irited.     On 
May  23,  1S,S0,  he  married  Miss  .Vmerica  E.  f]ol)e. 

MAHLON  R.  LEE  was  l)orn  April  <S,  IHo,"),  in  Greene  County, 
Ohio.  His  grandfather  emio-rated  to  the  United  States  from  Ire- 
land,  and  settled  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio.  His  oldest  son,  John, 
married  Elizabeth  Husono-  of  Ohio.  They  had  six  children.  Our 
subject  was  l)oun(l  out  at  seven  years  of  age.  When  his  mother  died, 
he  ran  awav,  and  went  to  live  with  a  farmer,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  he  was  twelve  years  old.  Then  he  carried  the  United  States 
mail  iK'tween  Centerville  and  Jeflersonville,  Ohio.  At  fifteen  yeai*s 
of  age,  he  walked  from  Jeftersonville  to  AVestficld,  Ind.  Here  he 
did  chores  for  a  farmer  and  attended  school,  then  the  first  he  had 
evci-  altendeil.  At  the  a<>e  of  nineteen,  he  learned  the  gunsmith 
trade,  and  at  twenty  he  started  in  business  in  Jetterson,  Clinton 
County,  Ind.,  for  himself,  continuing  until  IS57,  when  he  went  to 
Sangamon  ('ounty,  111.,  remained  a  year,  returned  to  Indiana,  cleared 
limber  laiiil.  and  by  oreat  industry  and  economy  he  saved  a  small 


GKEEXl  P    TOWNSHIl'.  261 

capital,  iiiul  in  ISlil,  canic  to  ( 'mnboiland  County.  111.,  bought  1(>0 
acres  of  land  on  credit,  succcssfullvmeetino'  tlie  iiavnients.    In  IH")*), 
he  was  elected  County  (Uerk  for  two  years.     At  the  time  of  taking 
the  office,  lie  found  the  records  in  a  very  unsatisfactory,  incomplete 
condition,  and  at  his  own  expense,  employed  a  thoroughly  compe- 
tent assistant,  and  revised  the  old  and  kept  the  new  records  under  a 
[)erfect  system.      At  the  end  of  his  term,  he  engaged  in  stock-raising 
and  farming.     He  moved  on  his  farm  m  '[Xl'A,  remaining  there  three 
years.     Then  he  Avas  a  contractor  in  l)uilding  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  K. 
Ill  1M7.S.  he  bought  an  interest  in  the  Greenup  Mill,  and  his  present 
tine,  large  brick  residence,  and  moved  to  town  soon  after.     In  1880, 
he  sold  his  interest  in  the  mill.     He  now  owns  a  farm  of  260  acres 
of    well    improved    land,    besides    the  elegant    brick    residence   in 
Greenup,  all  acquired  by  his  own  industry  and  economy.     On  June 
10,  18.")6,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Jessup,  of  Indiana,  who  ran  away 
from  home  to  marrv  him.     Their  children  are:    W'illard,  Ethan  A., 
Cora.  Boxley,  John,  Mary  .).     Cora,  Ethan  A.  and  John  are  the  only 
children   livinir-      Mr.    Li'C  had    three   brothers:    David,  (Tark  and 
Ethan  A.     David  is  now  practicing  medicine  in  Missouri;  Ethan  A. 
practicing  medicine  in  Colorado.     Clark  was  a  .])hysician  very  early 
in  life.     He  went  to  Texas,  then  to  the  southwest  part   of  Mexico, 
on  the  Pacitic  coast, and  there  practiced  his  profession.     He  adopted 
the  Spanish  language  and  Mexican  customs,  and  was  not  heard  from 
for  thirty  years.      He  became  very  Avealthy,  returned  to  Missouri, 
"where  he  met  his  1)rothers  by  appointment.     There  he  died  of  con- 
sumption. 

LEMUEL  LE(JGETT,  farmer,  Greenup,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton  County.   Ohio.  December    17,    1.S27.      His    grandfather  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  was  born  Alexander  Leggett,  the  father  of  our  subject,  Avho 
was  by  trade  a  shoemaker,  but    mostly  engaged  in  farming.     He 
removed  to  AVashington  County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  his  death. 
He  was  married  to  Isabella  Cami)bell,  in  180(1.     To  them  were  born 
eleven  children,  all  of  wlnmi  lived  to  well  advanced  years.     Our  sub- 
ject remained  at  home  imtil  of  age.  Avhen  he  started  in  life  by  keej)- 
ing  a  grocery  store  at  Sterling,  Ohio.      In  18r)0,  he  came  to  Illinois, 
landing  in  Marshall:  he  went    to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  from  there,  and 
entered   the  emplo}-  of  a  suiNcyiiig  party,  who  were  surveying  the 
l)resent    route  of  the  Vandalia    Railroad,  with    whom    he   remained 
three  years.      In    l-S.);;.  June    2.}.  he   walked  from  Terre  Haute  to 
Greenup,  with  but  a  tfew  ^dollars   in    his  jK)cket,  arriving   there  an 


262  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKKTCHES — CUMBEHLAM)    (  (  U  N  H  : 

entire  straii<:er.  Ho  soon  opened  a  harness  store,  and  made  the  tii-st 
saddle  ever  made  in  the  county.  In  Anirnst,  1<S(>2,  he  gave  up  his 
business  to  enlist  in  Company  B.  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third 
Illinois  (Mounted)  Infantry,,  as  First  Lieutenant.  Owino-  to  i)oor 
health  he  resigned  after  a  year's  service,  returned  to  Greenup,  and 
went  to  farminii'  on  a  200  acre  tract,  which  he  bought  prior  to  the 
war.  In  farmings  as  in  all  his  business  undertakinii's.  Mr.  Leagett 
has  been  quite  successful,  constantly  adding  to  his  farm  until  he 
owned  a  section  of  valual)le  land,  most  of  which  he  still  retains. 
He  has  built  a  neat  cottage  residence,  a  good  barn  and  other  out- 
buildings,  and  set  out  an  orchard  of  several  acres  of  choice  fruit. 
His  farm  adjoins  Greenup.  On  February  ."),  18.54,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Loretta  A.  Williams,  of  Greenup,  rhey  are  the  parents  of 
eight  children, — an  infant  (unnamed),  Laura  E.  (deceased),  Clark 
C.,  Florence,  Anna  B.  (deceased),  Sarah  E.,  Joe,  and  Gaylitte.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  politics.  He  has  contributed  in  time  and  money  to 
all  public  enterprises,  and  especially  in  the  digging  of  the  Mineral 
Well. 

CHAPMAN  A.  LEWIS,  harness  store,  Greenup,  was  born  in 
Rush  County,  Ind.,  January  10, 1824.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  attend- 
ing school  in  the  winter  season.  Being  apt  in  learning,  he  generally 
stood  at  the  head  of  his  class.  His  father  was  poor,  and  only  atforded 
his  children  each  on(,'  pair  of  shoes  a  year,  and  r(>quired  all  their 
time  in  hard  work  on  the  farm,  except  a  fcAV  months,  each  winter, 
at  school.  In  1845,  he  married  Miss  Cynthia  A.  Earl,  of  .Jennings 
County,  Ind.  At  first  he  farmed  for  three  years,  then  went  into  the  gro- 
cery business  one  year  at  West  Paris,  Jennings  County,  then  bought  a 
saddle  and  harness  store  in  the  same  place.  He  carried  on  a  large 
business  and  learned  the  trade  of  harness-making.  After  three 
years  he  Avent  to  farming,  continuing  \mtil  1864,  when  he  came  to 
Cundjerland  County,  III.,  and  farmed  ten  years;  then  came  to  Greenup 
and  estiiblished  his  present  l)usiness.  He  n(nv  has  the  largest  estab- 
lishment and  the  best  trade  in  the  i)lace.  He  was  reared  in  the 
Methodist  faith,  and  is  highly  respected  by  the  Vonnnunity.  Eight 
children  have  l)oen  born  to  them,  vi/.:  Oliver,  David  D.,  Elizabeth, 
Charity,  Leroy.  Mai-tJia  A.  (deceased).  George  (d(H'eased).  Jephtlia 
(deceased). 

WILLIAM  ;McCAiSX,  shoennikt-r,  Gret'nu[),  was  horn  in  Fh'm- 
ington,  \.  J.,  August  18,  18134,  was  given  a  good  education,  and  was 
taught  his  trade  by  his  father.  He  remained  at  home  until  of  age, 
when  he  went  to  (xlen  Gardner,  New  Jei-sev,  and  euirafi-ed  in  business 


fiHKKM  I'    TOWNSHIP.  -'^'^ 


for  himself  for  five  years.     There  he   married  Miss  Su>an    Frilts; 
then  he  went  into  the  stock   business.  huyinL'-  and  sellin«>-  and  ship- 
pino-  cattle,  for  eighteen  yeais,  after  whieii  he  came  to  Cumberland 
( 'ounty.  111.,  on  a  visit.    Seeing  it  was  a  good  location  for  his  trade,  he 
opened  a  shoe  shop;  is  a   fine  woikman,  and  has  a   large  jjatronage. 
His  is  the  leading  shop  in  lown.      Mr.  McCann    lias  a  fine   property. 
He  is  a  pul)li<-  spirited  citizen,  and  much  respected  by  his  associates. 
Wn.LIAM     II.    McDonald,   attorney,    Greenup,    was    born 
March  1.  1^41.  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  and  is  of  Scotch  descent.     His 
oreat-orandtather  was  from  the  Highlands  of  Scotland.     He  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1777,  settlecl  in  Pennsylvania,  then  went  to 
Kentucky,  and  thence  to  Ross  County,  Ohio.    John  C.  his  oldest  son, 
and  irrandtather  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.     He  was  a 
civircniiineer  by  profession.      Wrote  a  history  of  the  Scioto  Valley, 
and  Intiian  wars  in  Ohio,  and    was  a  Colonel  and    Paymaster  in  the 
war  of  1812.     His  youngest  son,  John,  and  father  of  :\Ir.  McD.,  has 
always  been  principally  a  farmer,  but  has  held  the  offices  of  Sherifi" 
and  State  Senator  from  the  counties  of  Ross  and   Highland,  Ohio. 
Our  subject  is  the  sixth  child  in  a  fimiily  often  children;  he  remained 
at  home  until  he  w;is  nineteen  years  old,  and  received  a  very  thor- 
ough education.     In  l-SliO,  he  left  home  and  conunenced  to  study  law 
with  Judge    Sartbrd.  and  on  October  2,  l.S()2,   was  admitted  to  the 
Bar,  in  Ohio,  where  he  practiced  for  two  years.     He  then  came  to 
Illinois,  located  in  Charleston,  thence  to  Cumberland  County,  locating 
at  Toledo,  and  thence  to  East  Saint  Louis,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time.     He  then  returned  to   Ohio,  and  remained  there  three  years. 
In  1880  became  to  Greenup,  and  now  has  a  large  and  growing  prac- 
tice.    In  1878  he  was   elected  to  the  Stutc    Legislature  of  Illinois, 
as  a  Democrat,  trom  Cumberland  County,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
the  revision  of  the  laws  of  the  State.     He  introduced  the  bill,  which 
became  a  law,  non-exempting  property  from  execution  where  the  debt 
was  due  the  laborer  or  servant.    He  has  also  been  Master  in  (Miancery. 
On  May  1(),  18()7,   he   married  Miss  Sarah    (^impbell.    of  Greenup. 

Thev  have  one  child — John. 

REUBEN  N.  MATHENV,  miller  and  stock-deak'r.  Greenup, 
was  born  in  Dubois  County.  Ind..  on  May  22.  18H4;came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Crawford  County,  111.,  and  remained  at  home  on  the  farm  until 
fifteen  years  old.  He  was  given  fair  advantages  for  an  education. 
When  he  left  home  he  went  to  Hutsonville,  III.,  and  clerked  in  a 
store  for  three  years;  then  went  to  Robeson,  111.,  and  kept  a  saloon; 
then    sold    out    and    went    to    farming.       In     l.Sill.    he   enlisted    in 


264  BKKJKAI'HK  AI,    SKETCIIE.s — CU.MHEKLANl)    COLNTV: 

Compiiuy  E,  Scventoeth  Illinois  Volimteer  Intaiitiy.  At  the  buttle 
of  Shiloh  he  was  wounded  and  returned  home,  remainin«-  sixty  days. 
Upon  joininii:  the  regiment  again,  being  still  unable  for  active  duty^ 
he  was  assigned  to  an  ambuhiuce  corps,  and  was  ordered  to  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  paroled.  He  then 
reported  to  Saint  Louis,  and  at  the  end  of  thirty  days  was  exchanged. 
Then  he  was  detailed  for  duty  as  assistant  in  the  Ladies'  Union  Aid 
Association,  in  Saint  Louis,  for  eighteen  months.  He  was  married 
in  Saint  Louis,  March  lo,  1864,  to  Miss  Ann  M.  Shattuck.  In  May, 
I8t)4,  he  was  mustered  out  of  service,  returned  to  Crawford  County,  111., 
and  farmed  until  l^Tt),  when  he  moved  to  Greenup,  and  went  in  the 
licjuor  business.  Then  he  returned  to  Crawford  County,  remained 
on  a  farm  one  year,  returning  then  to  Greenup  and  engaging  in  mill- 
ing and  stock-trading  and  dealing — his  i)resent  business.  He  has  a 
large  capital  invested  in  the  business,  and  is  very  successful.  Mr.  M. 
IS  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  His  wife  was 
born  July  14,  1829,  in  New  York.  When  six  years  old,  upon  the 
death  of  her  mother,  she  Avent  to  Addison  Comity,  Vt.;  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  she  went  to  Massachusetts.  She  first  worked  in  a  cot- 
ton factory,  then  began  nursing,  which  she  followed  for  thirty-five 
years.  She  was  Matron  in  the  L.idies'  Union  Aid  Association  in 
Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  for  several  years  during  the  war,  and  won  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  all.  While  there  she  met  and  married  her 
husband. 

ED  WIN  MATTOON,  retired  farmer  (post-ofiice  Greenup),  was 
born  in  Worthington,  Franklin  Count}',  Ohio,  September  (I,  1808. 
His  fiither  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  but  earlv  moved  to  Franklin 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  on  a  farm  until  his  death,  at  eighty 
years  of  age.  His  wife  was  Miss  Thankful  Stebbins,  who  was  highly 
educated  and  accomplished,  as  were  all  her  family.  She  had  several 
brothers,  who  occupied  eminent  positions  in  various  professions, 
es})eeially  the  ministry.  A  history  of  the  Stebbins  family  has  been 
published.  (Jur  subject  received  a  first-class  education,  attending 
school  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  Then  he  learned  the  black- 
smith  trade.  He  owned  a  sho})  for  a  number  of  years,  at  Dlcndon, 
Ohio.  In  18,')0,  he  went  via  the  overland  route  to  California,  remain- 
ing there  several  years,  engaging  in  mining  and  blacksniithing.  In 
the  meantime,  he  made  one  visit  home  by  Avater.  In  1862,  he 
returned  to  Central  Collesre.  Ohio,  and  eniiaired  in  farming-  and 
blacksniithing  for  three  years.  In  1865,  he  went  to  Charleston,  then 
came  to  Cumberland  ('ounty,  III.,  and  first  rented,  then  bousfht  the 


gr?:knup  TOWNsHir.  265 

taiin  of  oiirhty  juros  on  which  \\v  now  resides.  His  is  one  of  the  best 
enltiv:itecl  and  improved  farms  in  the  connty.  lie  has  a  neat  cot- 
tage residence,  sm-rounded  by  shade  and  ornamental  trees,  Howersin 
their  season,  and  everything-  that  makes  a  home  attractive.  He  was 
a  strong  anti-slavery  man,  and  local  worker  in  the  cause,  and  for  th(^ 
Liberia  colonization  scheme,  collecting  money  in  its  interests.  He 
stood  alone  on  that  ([uestion  for  several  years  in  his  community  and 
church.  He  was  also  a  very  active  worker  in  the  early  temperance 
reform  movement.  Mr.  M.  is  well  read,  and  a  thorough  scholar. 
He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  favor  of  i)ublic  reform  movements 
during  all  his  life.  In  1834,  he  married  Nancy  B.  Langdon.  of  Ham- 
ilton County,  Ohio.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  liv- 
ing, viz.:  Joseph  S.,  now  fifty  years  old,  in  the  custom-house  in  Cal~ 
ifornia;  ^lixry  E.,  Esteline  M.,  Martha  L.,  Delia  M.,  Caroline,  Anna 
M.  and  J.  Leavitt.  The  youngest  is  thirty-five  years  old.  Mrs. 
Mattoon  died  in  August,  1876. 

G.  MOXOHON,  merchant,  Greenup,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  February  10,   1830.     His  great-grandfather  came  to 
the  United  States  from  Ireland  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  and  settled  in  New  Jei-sey.     The  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  a  pioneer  of  Fayetle  County,  Ohio.     John  Monohon,  father  of 
our  subject,  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  that  State,  and,  in  1824,  moved 
to  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  Avlierc  he  farmed  for  several    years, 
then  returned  to  Ohio,  and  resided  in  Madison  County  until  1844, 
when  he  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  here  farmed  until  his 
death,  June  18,  1856.     His  first  marriage  was  to  Miss  Nancy  Stypes, 
of  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  who  became  the  mother  of  Gershom  Mono- 
hon.    Mrs.  Monohon  died  in   18;)7,  and  subsequently  the  widower 
married  Malinda  llalloway.     Gershom  Monohon  was  fourteen  years 
of  age  when   brought  by  his  parents  to  Cumberlan<l  County.     His 
early  life  was  spent  in  arduous  farm  work,  and  his  school  advantages 
were  limited,  but  by  application  to  study  at  home  and  ])y  attending 
school  after  attaining  his  majority,  he  acquired  a  thorough  ])usiness 
and  a  very  fair  literary  education.     In  18,"')2,  h(^  entercnl  the  store  of 
A.  K.  Bosworth,  as  clerk,  remained  as  such  until   1858,  and  then 
fonned  a  partnershi})  with   Mr.   Kelum,  continuing  the  same  until 
1864,  when  Mr.  K.  sold  his  interest  to  D.  C.  Robertson.    Since  1872, 
Mr.  Monohon  has  been  by  himself.     In  1874,  he  built  his  tine  brick 
business  house  in   Greenup,  adjoining  which  is   his  handsome  resi- 
dence.    He  has  been  eminently  successful  in  business,  has  accumu- 
lated a  competence,  and  gained  a  high  social    standing.     He   is  a 


266  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETf'HES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

leadinti'  Kepubliciin,  and  almost  contiiiuousl}'  since  the  or<raiiizatioii  of 
the  Town  Board,  in  186l»,  he  has  been  a  member  thereof,  and  is  now 
its  President.     In  1876.  he  was  elected  to  the  State  LGirislatnre,  as  a 
minority  candidate,  from  Effingham,  Shelljy  and  Cumberhmd  coun- 
ties, bj'  a  vote  of  12,442,  and  served  two  years.     He  is  quite  public 
spirited,  and  contributed  $1,000  towards  securing  the  building  of  the 
Yandalia  Railroad.     To  his  efforts,  also,  is  mainly  due  the  credit  of 
causino-  the  erection,  in  1855,  of  the  first  brick  schoollunise  in  town, 
and  later,  against  strong  opposition,  he  was  chief  in  the  movement 
for  the  erection  of  the  present  fine  brick  structure.     He  is  also  an 
active  temperance  man,  and  to  his  influence  is  largely  due  the  non- 
license  policy  of  Greenup.     He  stands  high  in  the  Masonic  Frater- 
nit3%  and  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church.     November  25, 
1857,  he  married  Isabella  H.  Robertson,   of  Greenup,  Init  formerly 
of  Ohio,  and  bj'  her  he  became  the  father  of  six  children,  viz.:  Hat- 
tie  C-  (deceased),  Douglas  C  (deceased),  John.  Jennie,  George  C, 
and  Mark  T. 

CHARLES  NISEW ANGER,  retired  farmer,  Greenup,  was  born 
in  Gallia  County,  Ohio,  February  15,  1805.    His  grandfather  came  to 
the  United  States  from  Germany,  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Marietta,  Ohio,  but  later  settled  in  Gal- 
lia County.     He  had  two  sons,  Jacob  and  John.     The  former  settled 
in  North  Carolina,  and  but  very  little  was  ever  known  of  him  after- 
wards.   John  remained  at  home,  working  on  the  farm.    In  1800  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Winnefred  Buck.    Their  only  child  was  Charles  Nisewanger, 
our  subject.     The  grandfather  died  February  12,  1  ^il     Mr.  Nisewan- 
ger's  early  life  was  spent  mostly  in  farm  work  and  attending  school. 
With  his  step-father  he  ran  a  ferry  boat  on  the  Ohio  River,  at  Galli])*)- 
lis,  Ohio,  several  years.      In  1828  he  went  to  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
and  contracted  for  excavating  a  part  of  the  Cleveland  and  Portsmouth 
Canal.     After  the  completion  of  this  contract  in  18ol,  he  was  canal 
superintendent  with  headquarters  at  Newark,  for  ten  years;  then  ran 
a  hotel  for  thirteen  months,  at  Luray,  Ohio;  then  came  to  Cumber- 
land County,  in  1846,  settled  in  the  timber,  and  cleared  part  of  a  farm, 
remaining  but  a  year.    He  then  moved  to  Greemip,  and  went  into  the 
mercantile  business  tor  two  years.     During  the  ensuing  six  years  he 
was  Assessor,  Collector  and  Deputy  Sheriff.     On  August  9,  1861,  he 
organized  Company  A.  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry.     He  was  offered  the 
captaincy,  but  declined,  and  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant.     He 
remained  in  the  service  eighteen  months,  l)nt  from  injuries  received 
from  his  horse  falling  on  him  he  was  eomi)elled  to  resign.     Upon  his 


GUEENIIP    TOAVNSlIir.  267 

return  homo  he  clerked  ii  year  tor  A.  K.  Boswortli.  Then,  in  18G3,  he 
enijfaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Gr('enu[),  continuing  ten  years.  He 
then  went  to  farmin<*-,  which  he  follows,  with  the  assistance  of  his  son- 
in-law.  Mr.  X.  has  aiways  been,  from  boyhood,  a  tetotelarand  temper- 
ance worker.  Me  ori»anizcd  the  first  lodije  of  Sons  of  Temperance 
in  Cuml)erland  County,  and  later  the  Good  Tem plains'  Order,  and  with 
his  wife  was  among  the  first  to  start  the  Blue  Ribbon  movement  in 
Greenup,  the  result  of  which  has  been  to  make  Greenup  a  prohibition 
town,  with  1,(300  signatures  to  the  pledge.  He  is  a  Mason  in  good 
standing,  and  charter  member  of  the  order  in  Greenu[);  also  charter 
meml)er  of  the  Eastern  Star;  also  his  wife.  He  has  been  married 
seven  times.  His  first  wife,  Susan  Gilbert,  lived  but  a  year;  his  sec- 
ond, Mary  Laney,  lived  three  years;  his  third,  Martha  Smith,  died 
soon  after  marriage;  his  fourth,  Sarah  Smith,  sister  of  his  third,  also 
deceased;  his  fifth,  Sarah  Warden,  lived  five  years;  his  sixth  was  Eliz- 
abeth Pickering.  He  then  married  Mrs.  Lucy  LaDow.  Mrs.  Lucy 
(LaDow)  Nisewangcr,  was  born  August  21,  1824,  near  Granville, 
Ohio.  Her  maiden  name  was  Miss  Lucy  Philbrook.  In  early  life  she 
given  a  thorough  education  at  the  Presbyterian  Academy  at  Granville, 
Ohio,  then  taught  school  until  her  marriage,  July  11,  184.5,  to  Jameg 
LaDow,  who  was  a  prominent  lawyer,  and  highly  respected.  In  1853 
she  came  with  her  husband  to  Effingham  County,  111.,  remained  three 
years,  and  then  came  to  Cumberland  County,  where,  November  28, 
1860,  he  died.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  taught  school  for 
a  while,  was  then  appointed  Postmistress  at  Greenui),  and  served  until 
October,  1863.  On  August  9, 1863,  she  married  her  present  husband, 
and  soon  after  resigned  the  aflTairs  of  the  post-office,  her  husband, 
Mr.  N.,  being  appointed  in  her  stead.  With  all  business,  social,  and 
political  acts  of  Mr.  N.,  his  wife  has  been  closely  identified  and  asso- 
ciated. Mrs.  N.  occupies  a  high  social  and  literary  position,  and  has 
always  been  accorded  the  lead  in  movements  and  organizations  among 
her  lady  associates.  At  one  time  she  made  the  presentation  speech, 
in  the  presence  of  Governor  Yates  and  Owen  Lovejoy,  consequent 
upon  presenting  a  flag  to  the  '•  Wide  Awakes."  On  another  occa- 
sion she  made  the  presentation  address  upon  the  ladies  giving  a  flag 
to  Company  B,  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  She  is 
a  cliartcr  member  of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  an  active  teni})erance 
worker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ( LaDow)  Nisewangcr,  arc  parents  of  one 
child,  Charles  P.  (deceased). 

WILLIAM  H.  OZIER  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Penn., 
Nov(m])er  8.|Ulsll.     His  father,  Stephen   Ozier,  who  was  born  in 

16 


268  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMIJEULAND    COUNTY: 

Baltimore,  Md.,  was  by  trade  a  shoemaUer.  When  of  acre,  he  com- 
meiKcd li fe for hini.sclf,jSrst settlinsr in  PennsYlvania,then in Manstield, 
Ohio,  where  he  conducted  a  large  boot  and  shoe  business.  He  married 
Margaret  Nichols,  of  Washington,  Penn.  He  died  in  1884.  They  were 
parents  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject  was 
the  oldest  child,  and  was  eight  years  of  age  when  his  father  came  to 
Mansfield,  Ohio.  He  Avas  given  a  good  education  in  preparation  for 
West  Point,  by  request  of  Gov.  Bartly,  but  prevented  from  entering 
by  the  earnest  protest  of  his  mother.  His  father  then  taught  him  the 
shoemakers'  trade,  which  he  has  followed  in  connection  with  the  l)Oot 
and  shoe  business  for  a  great  part  of  his  life.  AVhen  of  age  he  engaged 
in  the  bakery  and  confectionery  business,  in  Manstield,  Ohio.  While 
there  he  married,  in  1832,  Dorcas  T.  Goe.  They  had  one  child, 
Richard.  His  wife  died  in  1834.  In  that  year  he  w^ent  to  Cincin- 
nati, where  he  conducted  a  boot  and  shoe  business  several  years.  Then 
he  embarked  in  a  general  mercantile,  produce  and  provision  trade 
between  Cincinnati  and  points  along  the  Ohio  River.  In  1837  he 
married,  for  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Close,  of  Dearborn  County, 
Ind.  They  had  two  children,  viz. :  Rachel  and  John.  His  wife  died 
in  1841.  In  1841  he  went  to  CleiTnont  County,  Ohio,  and  there  mar- 
ried his  present  and  third  wife,  Mary  A.  Hartshorn.  He  oi)ened  a 
boot  and  shoe  store  at  Moscow,  that  county,  continuing  in  the  busi- 
ness five  years.  Thence  he  Avent  to  Cincinnati,  where  for  tAvo  years 
he  engaged  in  the  same  business;  thence  to  Williams  County.  folloAA""- 
ing  the  same  business.  In  1871  he  came  to  Cumberland  County, 
111.,  and  engaged  for  one  year  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  in 
Greenup.  He  then  traveled  as  salesman  for  a  leather  house,  since 
when  he  has  been  selling  nursery  stock.  His  present  Avife  has  borne 
him  nine  children.  Mr.  Ozier's  first  vote  for  President  Avas  in  1831). 
He  was  a  strong  Abolitionist,  made  public  speeches  in  favor  of, 
and  has  suffered  many  indignities  for  advocating  that  doctrine.  He 
was  an  organizer  of  the  Republican  party,  and  a  delegate  to  the  State 
Convention  that  first  nominated  Salmon  P.  Chase  for  Governor  of 
Ohio.  In  1840  Mr.  O.  assisted  in  organizing  the  Sons  of  Temj^erance, 
and  held  various  honorable  positions  in  that  order.  He  has  l)een  a 
member  gf  both  the  I.  ().  ().  F.  and  Masonic  orders. 

HARLOW  1*AKK,  cashier  Greenui)  Bank,  was  l)orn  in  Frank- 
lin County,  Ohio,  July  3,  1^30.  His  great-grandfather  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1730,  from  Germany,  settled  in  Ncav  York,  and 
there  raised  a  family  of  seven  children.  Amos,  the  fourth  child,  and 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Avas  reared  in  New  York,  but  Avent  early 


(JUKEM  r    TOWNSIIII'.  2G9 

to  Lickiii2:  County,  Ohio,  and  settled  in  Granville  in  I8O0;  thence  to 
Delaware  County,  and  thence  to  Franklin  County,  where  lie  died. 
His  principal  1)usiness  was  that  of  farniinir-  in  which  he  was  emi- 
nently successful.  He  won  distinction  in  the  war  of  1812,  throuirh 
wliich  he  served.  His  ohlcst  child,  James,  Mr.  Park's  father,  was 
born  in  Lockport,  N.  Y..  and  was  j^iven  fair  advanta^^es  for  an  edu- 
cation, attending  school,  winters,  and  assisting  on  his  father's  farm 
in  vacation.  He  was  married  to  Margaret  Agler,  of  Ohio.  They 
were  parents  of  five  children,  viz.:  Horace,  Harlow,  Horton,  Helena 
and  Helen.  They  also  raised  four  or[)han  chihh'en,  who  are  now 
well  to  do  and  prosperous,  and  who  live  in  grateful  remembrance  of 
their  generous  and  kind  benefactors.  Mr.  Park's  early  life  w^as  spent 
at  home  on  the  farm,  where  he  was  discii)lined  in  habits  of  industry 
and  economy,  and  received  a  thorough  business  and  literary  educa- 
tion, attending  Central  College,  Ohio,  five  years.  He  thus  laid  the 
foundation  for  a  useful,  active  life.  Leaving  college  at  eighteen,  and 
having  chosen  the  vocation  of  farming  for  his  business  in  life,  for 
three  years  he  applied  himself  to  accpiiringa  knowledge  of  theoret- 
ical farming,  by  study  and  practical  application.  During  this  time, 
he  made  several  trips  to  the  West  with  a  view  of  selecting  a  permanent 
location.  When  of  age,  he  began  for  himself,  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  farming  and  stock-raising,  continuing  for  five  years,  when,  in 
181)2,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Eighty-Eighth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  a  private,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  par- 
ticii)ated  in  the  tw^o  active  campaigns — one  in  the  defense  of  Gettys- 
burg, and  the  other  in  defense  of  Cincinnati  when  threatened  by  Kirby 
Smith.  He  was  for  two  years  Provost-Marshal  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio, 
and  for  some  time  Adjutant  at  Lital  Barracks,  Cincinnati.  His  pro- 
motions and  responsible  positions  of  trust  were  the  rewards  of  merit. 
Social  in  his  relations,  punctual  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  and  valiant 
in  conduct,  he  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  oflScei-s  and  men.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  resumed  farminjr  there 
until  18(;s,  when  he  came  to  (yumbcrland  County,  and  bought  a  farm 
of  2(J0  acres,  within  three  miles  of  Greenup.  Ho  has  given  great  care 
to  its  improvement,  and  skill  in  its  management;  has  made  many 
fine  permanent  imi)rovcments,  and  placed  it  among  the  best  farms  of 
the  county.  Mr.  Park  is  a  charter  mcml)er  and  cashier  of  the  Bank 
of  Greenup,  organized  June  1,  188;;,  and  to  his  efi'orts  is  greatly  due 
the  credit  of  its  establishment.  Tiie  bank,  at  first  an  experiment,  is 
now  in  a  prosperous  condition  and  doing  a  business  beyond  expecta- 
tion, largely  the  result  of  his  executive  ability  and  financiering. 


270  BIOGU.VIMIICAL    SKETCHES — CUMHEllLANI)    (  Ol  NTY: 

Politically,  Mr.  P.  is  a  R"[)ublican  and  party  loader.  In  local  poli- 
tics, he  has  taken  a  srreat  interest,  beinof  the  chief  or<ranizer  and 
leader  of  the  Farmers'  Club,  instituted,  irrespective  of  party,  for  the 
object  of  keeping  honorable,  competent  men  in  charoe  of  county 
aflfairs.  The  effect  of  this  has  been  to  r.ii.se  the  financial  standinsf  of 
the  county  from  a  low,  depreciated  state,  to  a  sound  tinaucial  basi.-;. 
A  prominent  leadinij  citizen,  he  has  contributed  in  time,  influence 
and  money,  to  all  public  enterprises,  and  accomplished  nuicli  for  the 
improvement  and  bnildini;;-  up  of  the  comnuuiity.  In  18()3,  he  mar- 
ried Martha  L.  Mattoon,  an  estimable  ladv,  of  Franklin  County,  Ohio, 
where  she  was  born.  They  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  viz.: 
James,  Eva,  Bertha,  Oliver  and  Maraaret. 

JAMES  M.  RICE,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was  born  in 
Shelby  County,  Ind.,  August  27,  184().  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  but  settled  in  Shelby  County  in  an  early  day  as  a  farmer. 
He  was  thr()u<i-h  the  entire  war  of  the  Rebellion,  beins:  totally  dis- 
abled for  work  from  a  severe  wound.  Our  subject  sup[)orted  his 
father's  family  until  he  besfan  life  for  himself,  at  the  ao-e  of  nine- 
teen, when  he  worked  by  the  month.  In  18()*J,  he  came  to  Cumber- 
land County,  and  first  rented,  then  bouijht  the  farm  of  eicfhtv  acres 
where  he  now  lives.  He  has  built  a  fine  residence  and  outbnildiniifs, 
and  set  out  an  orchard  of  choice  fruit.  On  September  s.  1S70,  he 
married  Miss  A.  E.  King,  of  Cumberland  Comity.  Mr.  R.  has  made 
his  property  by  his  energy,  economy  and  industry. 

DeWITT  C  ROBER  rSON,  Postmaster,  Greenup,  was  born  in 
Hardin  County,  Ohio,  in  February,  183!).  His  grandfather  was  by 
trade  a  miller,  but  at  an  early  day  went  to  Kentucky,  and  was  a 
companion  of  Daniel  Boone.  His  oldest  son,  Simon,  and  fTither  of 
our  subject,  went  to  Ohio  in  1830,  and  engagcnl  in  milling  at  West 
Liberty;  thence  to  Hardin  County,  and  farmcKl  until  183!),  when  he 
came  to  Cumb^^rland  County,  111.,  and  entered  two  sections  of  land: 
but  before  his  death,  which  occurred  in  August,  1841,  he  owned  1,500 
acres  of  land.  At  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  our  subject  was  two 
years  old;  when  four  years  old,  he  was  taken  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
remained  with  relatives  for  nine  years,  attending  school.  He  then 
returned  to  Greenup,  and  lived  with  sister  Abigail  Lyons  until  18/)(i; 
then  went  to  Ohio  for  a  year;  returned  to  Greenup,  and  worked  for 
Simon  Lyons  imtil  1858;  then  carried  mail  between  Greenup  ami 
Charleston.  In  18()0,  he  went  to  Douglas  County,  but  returned  in 
18(!1,  and  assisted  in  oriranizinLT,  and  enlisted  as  First  Sercfcant  in 
Company  A,   Fifth    Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  served    in    the 


GUEENUr    TOWNSHIP.  271 

urniv  tliivo  vcar.s.  AfU'r  rctiiniin<2:  from  the  war,  ho  oiiirairotl  with 
G.  Moiiohon  in  the  niorcaiitih*  business,  for  four  years,  in  Greenup. 
Tiien  he  conducted  a  mercantile  business  by  himself.  During  the 
financial  crisis  of  1873-74,  he  Avas  compelled  to  suspend,  l)ut  he  has 
since  settled  Avith  all  his  creditors  to  their  entire  satisfa{;tion.  He 
then  farmed  for  two  ycai"s;  then  he  was  a  salesman  in  the  store  of 
A.  J.  Kwart  for  eiofhteen  months.  lie  was  then  commissioned  Post- 
master  of  Greenup,  which  position  he  still  holds,  and  conducts  in 
connection  with  a  notion  and  confectionery  store.  He  has  always 
been  public  spirited,  contributing  largely  to  the  securing  of  railroads 
and  other  enterprises  that  Avould  benefit  the  public  in  general.  Mr. 
Robertson  is  a  social,  honora])le  gentleman,  and  has  the  high  regard, 
esteem  and  confidence  of  all,  who  have  known  him  through  life,  or 
who  have  had  social  or  business  relations  with  him.  lie  was  mar- 
ried, May  7,  1865,  to  Miss  Susan  Talbott,  of  Greenup.  They  are  the 
parents  of  P^dward  T.,  Simon,  Ida  M.,  Isabella,  Araminta  D.,  George 
G.,  Susan  D.,  and  Dewitt  C.    Susan  and  Araminta  are  now  deceased. 

ISAAC  ROTHKOCK,  farmer  (post-oflace,  H:izcl  Dell ),  was  born 
January  31,  18313,  in  Stark  County,  Ohio;  has  always  lived  on  a  farm, 
but  received  a  good  education.  In  1851,  he  came  to  Cumberland 
Countv,  worked  bv  the  month  a  number  of  years,  saved  his  earnings 
and  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  The  farm  consists  of  eighty 
acres,  and  is  well  imi)r()ved.  He  has  a  large  frame  residence  and  com- 
modious out-buildings.  He  is  a  radical  temperance  man  and  worker. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Kopublican,  and  has  held  the  office  of  school  director 
for  several  terais.  On  November  6, 1864,  he  married  Sarah  Grim, 
of  Crooked  Creek  Township.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
Olive  A.,  Mary  A.  (deceased).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.,  are  both  members 
in  good  standing  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

FRANK  M.  SAPP,  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker,  was  born  in 
Fayette  County,  111.,  in  1844.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  he 
<'nlisted  in  Company  lI,Eiglith  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
four  years  and  eight  months.  He  was  in  many  of  the  severe  battles, 
and  was  several  times  wounded.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to 
V'tmdalia,  III.,  and  learned  his  trade;  thence  to  Kane  County,  III., 
there  worked  at  his  trade,  and  in  18G9  came  to  Greenup,  opened  a 
shop  whi(di  he  has  since  conducted,  except  a  short  time  when  he  was 
with  his  father-in-law  in  a  grist  mill.  On  July  3,  1870,  he  married 
Arabella  Talbott.  Four  children  have  been  the  result  of  this  marriage. 

JOHN  J.  SEVERNS,  farmer  (post-office,  Greenup),  was  born  in 
Coshocton  Countv,  Ohio,  December  14,  1814,  and  remained  at  home 


4 

272  BIOGRAPHICAL   .SKETCHKS CUMBKHLANI)    COUNTY: 

OH  the  fiinn  and  attondod  school  until  tlio  njro  of  sovontoen,  whon  he 
Icariu'd  the  cabinet-maker's  trade.  He  went  with  his  parents  to 
Knox  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  the  year  IHo."),  when  he 
returned  to  Coshocton  County,  where  he  livcnl  twent}'  years.  He 
then  went  to  Fulton  County,  111.,  then  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
four  years.  He  then  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  where  he  has 
since  resided  on  his  farm.  He  now  owns  ei«-htv  acres  of  land  in 
Cumberland  County,  Avell  improved,  and  KID  acres  of  timber  in  Jas- 
per ('Ounty.  Altliou«'h  nearly  sevent}'  years  old,  Mr.  S.  is  able  to 
carry  on  the  farm  in  person.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order, 
and  is  an  ardent  temperance  man.  He  is  public-spirited  and  benev- 
olent, and  has  a  hii>h  social  standins"  in  the  community.  He  has 
been  married  twice;  his  first  marriage  was  to  Josei)hine  McDonell,. 
by  whom  he  had  three  children,  viz.:  Albina  (deceased),  Caroline,  and 
George  (deceased);  his  second  to  Elizabeth  Lane,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children,  viz.:  Emma  (deceased),  Josephine,  Eva  L.,  John  D^ 
(deceased). 

HAliLOW  O.  8HEKWOOI),  tanner  (post-office  Greenup),  wa.s 
born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio,  March  14,  1827.  His  early  life  waa 
spent  at  home  on  the  farm.  He  has  a  good  education.  On  January 
27,  1853,  he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Duer,  of  ]*erry  County,  Oliio.  He 
built  a  house  on  his  father's  farm,  conducted  his  father's  business^ 
and  supported  him  and  his  father-in-law  until  18()(),  when  he  came 
to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  leased  100  acres  of  new  timber  land  in 
Union  Township  for  nine  years,  putting  it  under  cultivation  and  mak- 
ing other  improvements.  Then  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  new  land 
where  he  now  lives,  cleared  and  put  it  under  cultivation;  then  added 
to  it  thirty,  then  thirteen,  then  sixty  acres,  all  of  which  he  bouirht 
new,  and  nearly  all  of  which  he  now  has  under  cultivation.  His 
farm  of  188  acres,  his  spacious  residence,  his  fine  young  bearing" 
orchard,  a  ])arn,  etc.,  are  the  r(\sults  of  economy,  energy  and  good 
management.  On  the  temj)erance  (juestion  he  is  a  strong  Prohibi- 
tionist, and  was  an  active  leader  in  the  ^Iuri)hy  movement.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  in  which  he  is  a  class 
leader.  Mr.  S.  has  contributed  laro-ely  to  the  buildinii-  of  several 
churches  in  the  neighborhood,  and  is  a  strong  leader  in  and  supporter 
of  all  religious  movenicnts.  In  all  of  his  undertakings,  whet  her  social, 
business  or  religious,  his  wife  has  shared  all,  and  her  frugality  and 
consistent  Christian  life  have  done  much  toward  establishing  his 
high,  social  and  financial  standing.  'I'licy  have  nine  chihlren,  seven 
of  whom  arc  still  iivinii-. 


GKKENl  I'    TOWNSHIP.  273 

MARK  SPERRY,  farmer  (post-office,  Greenup),  was  born  in 
New  Ilanipsliiro,  on  June  26,  LSl.^.  His  groat-unuulfuther,  Israel, 
was  a  ttiilor  by  trade,  went  to  the  Indian-French  wars  and  never 
returned.  His  o-randfather  was  through  the  Revolutionaiy  war,  in 
General  Washington's  division,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill.  At  the  close  of  the  Avar  he  went  on  horseback  to  New  Hamp- 
shire; made  the  iirst  settlement  in  the  county,  opened  a  farm  from 
timber,  and  made  improvements.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until 
his  death,  in  February,  IS-tO.  His  father  was  raised  on  this  same 
form  in  New  Hampshire,  and  w^as  a  Captain  in  the  war  of  1(S12,  but 
his  entire  business  in  life  was  farming;  having  lived  on  the  farm  first 
owned  and  improved  by  his  father.  In  18l]"),  he  came  on  a  visit  to 
Mark  Sperry,  in  Cumberland  County,  where,  in  September  of  that 
year,  he  died.  Our  subject  was  raised  on  his  father's  farm  in  New 
Hampshire,  and  was  given  a  thorough  e:lucation.  He  taught  school 
and  farmed  until  1824,  when  he  went  to  Licking  County,  Ohio.  Here 
he  taught  school,  and  was  elected  principal  of  an  incorporated  Acad- 
emy, which  position  he  held  for  nine  years.  He  then  purchased  the 
stock  and  continued  the  school  for  several  years  more.  For  some 
time  he  taught  a  large  select  school,  teaching  a  class  in  vocal  music  at 
night.  At  one  time  he  was  in  the  cheese  and  dairy  business  in  Ohio,  and 
had  the  largest  establishment  at  that  time  in  the  State.  While  in 
this  business  he  made  a  cheese  weighing  1,000  pounds,  which  he  sold 
in  Cincinnati  for  twenty-five  cents  per  pound.  In  November,  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Comi)any  K,  Seventy-Sixth  Ohio  Infantry. 
He  Avas  appointed  a  Sergeant,  and  subsequently  commissioned  as 
Lieutenant  of  his  Company.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  etc.,  and  was  discharged  from  the  service  for  dis- 
abilities. He  was  then  appointed  to  a  position  in  the  Provost-Mar- 
shal's office  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  18()4,  when 
he  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  bought  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides.  Sin(!e  coming  to  Illinois  he  has  taught  school,  been 
euiraofed  in  farniiufr,  Jmd  taken  a  leading  and  active  part  in  all  edu- 
cational  matters  in  the  county.  He  has  a  fine  residence,  and  one  of 
the  best  improved  farms  in  the  county,  all  the  result  of  his  own  en- 
ergy and  industry.  In  October,  1S43,  he  was  married  to  Lucy  A. 
Durant,  who  was  born  in  Springfi.^hl,  Vt.,  on  Dacember  4,  1821,  and 
who  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  are 
now  living.  Her  mother  being  for  many  years  in  feeble  health,  the 
care  and  labor  of  the  household  very  early  fell  upon  her,  and  under 
the  eyes  of  a  judicious  mother  and  kind  father  she  became  an  adept 


274  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

in  all  that  pertains  to  the  management  of  the  househokl.  The  com- 
mon school  orave  her  the  usual  facilities  for  mental  culture  till  about 
eighteen  years  of  age.  Then  a  few  terms  at  Chest(?r  Academy  fitted 
her  for  teaching,  which  occui)ation  she  followed  for  some  time  in 
Vermont,  and  also  in  Ohio.  In  the  autumn  of  1842,  this  whole 
family  went  to  Oliio  in  wagons.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage,  in 
1842,  a  large  expenditure  of  money  for  house-keeping  was  not  as 
imperative  as  at  present,  and  with  very  scanty  means,  Mrs.  Sperry 
was  enabled,  by  her  early  training,  and  indomitable  industry  and 
energy,  to  make  the  inconveniences  of  a  small  house  and  little  fur- 
niture seem  but  trifles,  and  it  was  not  long  before  her  little  domi- 
cile put  on  the  appearance  of  home-like  simplicity  and  cheerful- 
ness. The  duties  of  home  were  first  with  her  in  all  things,  save  in 
sickness  or  distress,  when  her  sympathies  were  all  awake,  and  no  toil 
or  care  seemed  too  great.  No  child  of  want  ever  appealed  to  her  in 
vain.  In  early  life  jVIrs.  Sperry  became  a  membv'^r  of  the  Baptist 
Church  in  North  Springfield,  Vt.,  but  on  her  arrival  in  Ohio  she  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Cono-reijational  Church,  at  Hartford,  Licking 
County.  When  she  removed  to  this  county  she  became  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  she  is  a  member  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 

HUBBARD  F.  SPERRY,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was  born 
in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  November  7, 1 847.  In  early  life  he  attended 
the  school  taught  by  his  father,  Mark  Sperry  (whose  sketch  is  else- 
where given),  until  the  war,  when  he  was  placed  under  the  tutelage 
of  others  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  his  father  moved  to 
Illinois.  Thus  he  secured  a  good  education.  After  coming  to  Cum- 
berland County,  111.,  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  imtil  he  was  of 
age.  He  then  farmed  for  a  short  time,  then  taught  school,  then  en- 
gaged for  four  years  in  mercantile  business  in  Greenup,  during  this 
time  being  deputy  postmaster.  He  then  married  Miss  Alice  Snearly, 
and  after  his  marriage  engaged  in  farming,  his  present  business.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  S.  are  parents  of  four  children,  viz.:  Artie  B.,  Gratia  M., 
Beatrice  M.,  Lula  E.  Mr.  S.'s  farm  consists  of  eighty  acres  of  land, 
well  improved,  and  well  stocked.  He  has  a  fine  two-story  residence, 
a  large  barn  and  commodious  outbuildings.  Politically,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  administered  the  estate 
of  Jacob  Snearly;  was  guardian  of  minor  heirs.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  ().  F.  ' 

MARSHALL  STEWART,  farmer  (jiost-office  Greenup),  was 
born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  April  15,  1881,  and  is  a  twin  brother 


GREENUP   TOWNSHIP.  2^75 

of  William  Stewart,  whose  sketch  is  elsewhere  "fiveii.  When  our  sub- 
ject was  thirteen  years  old,  his  father  died,  since  which  event  he  has 
supported  himself.  H.^  first  worked  at  $4  per  month  on  a  farm,  then, 
while  yet  a  boy,  rented  a  farm;  was  very  successful,  and  continued 
rentiuii-  for  sixt^cen  years.  Finally  became  to  Cumberland  County, 
and  bouijht  240  acres  of  land  where  he  now  lives.  There  were  but  ten 
acres  of  this  cleared,  and  no  imi)rovements  or  fences,  but  he  now  has 
a  finely  im[)roved  farm,  a  s^ood  residence,  barn  and  outbuildings. 
The  farm  is  mostly  bottom  land,  which  is  the  most  productive  soil  in 
the  county,  lie  has  an  orchard  of  200  trees,  farm  all  fenced,  all 
und(n-  cultivation,  and  well  stocked.  He  married  Matilda  Lauiirhlin, 
of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  To  them  have  been  Ijorn  nine  children, 
viz.:  Mary  J.  (deceased),  Anderson,  Linlan,  William  B.,  Calvin  (de- 
ceased), Harriet,  Stella,  Dora,  and  an  infant.  His  financial  standing 
is  the  result  of  personal  energy  and  skillful  mantigement.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was 
school  director  six  years. 

WILLIAM  STEWART,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was  born 
April  15,  1831,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.  His  father  died  when  he 
was  thirteen  years  old,  since  when  he  has  supported  himself.  When 
twenty-three  years  old  he  married  Miry  C  Stockwcll,  of  Morgan 
County-,  Ind.  They  have  had  eleven  children,  three  dying  when  in- 
fants. The  living  are  Eb.,  Marshall,  Sarah  J.,  Emelino,  Anderson, 
Viola,  Calvin,  Minnie.  He  first  rented  a  farm  in  Indiana,  and  gave 
his  attention  mainly  to  stock-raising,  in  which  he  was  very  success- 
ful, and  thereby  obtained  a  good  start  in  life.  He  came  to  Cumber- 
land County,  tanned,  and  then  went  to  Missouri,  bought  160  acres 
of  land,  remaining  there  seven  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Cum- 
berland County.  He  has  now  288i  acres  in  Cumberland  County,  130 
of  which  is  rich  bottom  land,  also  still  owns  the  farm  in  Missouri; 
has  a  good  $1,0.);)  residence,  and  a  fine,  large  orchard.  Mr.  Stewart 
in  politics  is  a  I):Mnocrat.  He  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  While  in  Missouri  he  was  three  years  in  the  State 
Militia,  on  the  Federal  side.  He  is  now  school  director,  which  office 
he  has  held  several  years. 

MICHAEL  STOCKB AUGER,  farmer  (post-olTice  G)-eenui)),was 
born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  December  7,  1832.  He  was  reared  on 
the  home  farm,  fairly  educated,  and  supported  his  parents  in  their  old 
age.  He  went  witli  them  to  Knox  County,  Ohio,  farmed  there,  and 
then,  in  18'>8,  came  with  them  to  Cumberland  County  and  settled  on 
a  farm  bought  two  years  before.     He  has  since  been  engaged  in  farm- 


27»!  HIOGKAPIIICAL   SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

in<if,  and  now  owns  140  acres  of  well  improved  land,  a  rine  residence 
which  cost  $L.SOO,  and  other  improvements  in  accordance.     His  wife 
was  Philena  Osborn,  of  Wisconsin.     They  have  three  children.     He 
fl  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  having  passed  all  the  chairs.     On  the 

temperance  question  he  is  a  Prohibitionist.  He  is  public-spirited  and 
charitable,  and  highly  esteemed  by  his  associates.  Mr.  S.  gives  much 
attention  to  stock-raising,  having  a  taste  for  line  breeds  of  horses  and 
cattle. 

EDWARD  TALBOTT,  farmer,  Greenup,  was  born  in  Fairtield 
County,  Ohio,  Auijust  3,  1.S20.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
until  nineteen  years  old,  and  had  but  a  few  months  schooling,  during 
the  coldest  winter  weather.  At  the  tin  e  of  leaving  home  he  could 
only  read  and  write,  but  after  he  beo^an  life  for  himself  he  irf^ve  all 
his  extra  time  to  study,  attended  school  for  a  few  months,  and  (jual- 
ified  himself  for  teaching.  When  he  left  home,  he  first  came  to  Cum- 
berland County,  111.,  and  contracted  for  clearing  forty  acres  of  tim- 
ber land.  He  remained  nine  months,  and  then  returned  to  Ohio  and 
rented  his  father's  farm,which  he  attended  summers,and  taught  school 
during  winters.  In  1844  he  married  Mrs.  Jane  Wolf,  and  came  soon 
after  to  Cumberland  County,  and  engaged  in  uK^rcantile  business, 
and  then  farmed.  In  1848  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county.  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  officer  he  kept  hotel  and  store,  until  1851, 
when  he  was  electe:!  Circuit  Clerk  for  a  term  of  four  years.  In  1852 
he  began  tlie  building  of  the  Cumberland  Mills.  He  bouglit  the 
machinery  in  Warren,  Ohio,  and  shipped  it  to  Torre  Haute,  Ind.,  by 
canal,  thence  by  wagon  to  Greenu[).  At  the  time  of  building  the 
mill  there  was  but  little  wheat  raised  in  the  county,  it  being  thought 
that  the  ground  was  not  adtipted  to  its  culture,  but  largely  through 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  T.,  and  the  influence  of  the  mill,  it  is  one  of  the 
best  wheat  producing  sections  in  the  State.  The  mill  is  still  in  opera- 
tion, and  doing  a  large  business,  though  in  other  hands  since  1872. 
In  \X')H  he  was  again  elected  Sheriff,  and  served  one  term.  In  1859, 
in  addition  to  his  milling  and  stock-dealing,  he  again  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  until  18()2,  when,  July  1  of  that  year,  lie  organ- 
ized ( ■()nii)any  B,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Infantry. 
Within  one  week  101  men  enlisted  under  him.  He  was  commissioned 
Ca[)tain,  and  with  the  C(mii)any  entered  at  once  into  active  service. 
He  was  first  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Perryville.  Here  the  Conii)any 
met  their  first  real  experience  in  fighting.  The  Regiment  opened 
the  engagement,  and  Company  B,  under  command  of  Captain  T.,  be- 
came involved  in  an  unsui)ported  conflict  with  greatly  superior  iium- 


HKKENII*    TOWNSHII'.  277 

bers,  jMid  it  is  due  to  all  cnirairod,  to  say  that  the  wiiolccoiuiMaiid  dis- 
playod  a  pcrtectioii  of  disfipiiiu' and  soldierly  <^allantry  worthy  of  the 
oldest  veterans.  The  Company  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of 
Chiekaniau«>a,  and  other  severe  battles.  As  an  officer  and  soldier. 
Captain  T.  was  l)ravo,  intrepid  and  daring,  and  won  distinction  for 
irallant  conduct.  March  U,  1864,  he  resigned  his  coniniission,  owing 
to  disabilities,  returned  home,  and  gave  his  attention  to  milling  and 
stock-dealing.  Tn  IHlii)  he  lost  $:),()()()  by  fire.  He  sold  the  mill  in  1872, 
since  when  he  has  princii)ally  farmed.  He  contracted  foi*  and  built 
several  miles  of  the  P.,  D.  ct  K.  R.  R.,  being  defrauded  out  of  consider- 
able money.  This,  with  his  loss  by  fire,  and  other  adverse  hajipenings, 
caused  a  partial  failin-e,  but  he  has  regained  rapidly,  and  now  owns 
a  fine  farm,  and  is  again  in  prosperous  circumstances.  He  has  always 
been  i)ublic-spiritcd.  He  gave  $1,000  towards  securing  the  Vandalia 
R.  R.  at  Greenup,  also  to  securing  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.  He  now 
holds  the  office  of  Supervisor,  this  being  his  seventh  year.  His  wife 
died  in  1857.     His  second  and  present  wife  is  Esther  Ann  Reese. 

WILL  8.  TOBEY,  editor  of  The  Cumberland  Times,  son  of 
Allen  G.  and  Lovina  M.  Tobcy,  was  born  at  Vincennes,  Knox 
Co.,  Ind.,  November  27,  185(5.  He  received  a  ;fair  education  in 
the  various  common  school  grades  of  his  native  city,  and  when  sev- 
enteen years  of  age  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Vincennes  Univer- 
sity. Compelled  by  feeble  health,  he  withdrew  from  College  after 
one  year's  study.  Having  at  intervals,  since  he  was  fourteen  years 
old,  been  connected  with  various  printing  establishments  in  Vin- 
cennes, and  having  a  deep-seated  love  for  the  work,  he  soon  turned 
his  attention  to  developing  his  natural  aptitude  in  this  direction, 
and  educating  himself  in  the  great  typographical  and  editorial  school 
of  this  country.  There  is  scarcely  a  city  of  any  imporfcince  in  the 
Mi.ssissippi  Valley,  where  he  did  not  engage  in  the  hibor  of  his  chosen 
profession;  confines  his  practice,  however,  exclusively  to  the  details 
of  job-printing,  in  which  he  attained  an  enviable  reputation  for  skill. 
His  career  in  newspaper  management  i)roper  commenced  in  the 
spring  of  1<S7(;,  when  he  located  at  Bemcnt,  Piatt  County,  111.,  and 
took  a  controlling  interest  in  the  \V^\\\(n\t  In'lejyeu'lent,  a  weekly  i)ub- 
lication.  Finding  Bement  and  its  adjacent  territory  not  likely  to 
yield  the  snpi)ort  essential  to  the  existence  of  a  live  paper,  he  sold 
his  interest  in  the  Independent  and  removed  to  Danville,  Vermillion 
Co.,  111.,  whore  ho  accepted  a  partnership  in  the  Erie,  one  of  the 
six  newspaper  i)ul)lications,  at  that  lime,  in  Danville.  His  next 
venture  was  the  editorial  management  of  the  Enterprise,  ])rinted  at 


278  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Lovinuftou.  Moultrie  Co.,  111.,  w iiicli  he  assumed  in  the  full  of 
1879,  aud  (ontiuued  until  the  spring  of  1881.  At  this  time  being 
broken  down  in  health,  he  withdrew,  temporarily,  from  professional 
work,  and  repaired  to  his  mother's  home  near  Russellville,  Lawrence 
Co.,  III.  On  April  15,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Elenora  M.  Gould, 
an  estimable  aud  highly  respected  lady  of  Palestine,  Crawford 
Co.,  111.,  and  in  the  following  October,  moved  to  Greenup,  Cum- 
berland County  and  established  The  Cumherland  Times,  a  weekly 
newspaper,  devoted  to  the  general  good  of  the  county,  and,  in  a  polit- 
ical .sense,  guarding  the  interests  of  the  Republican  clement  of  the 
section.  In  the  work  of  phunng  his  paper  upon  a  firm  aud  lucrative 
basis,  Mr.  Tobey  unexpectedly  encountered  the  most  bitter  and  unre- 
lenting opposition,  not  only  from  his  competitors  but  from  many 
individuals,  long  residents  of  the  county,  who  seemed  to  consider 
him  as  an  interloper,  and  stigmatised  his  journalistic  enterprise  as  an 
unnecessary  factor  in  the  business  of  the  conmiunity,  and  its  intro- 
duction a  matter  of  youthful,  and  therefore  inexcusable  presumption. 
In  addition  to  this  he  met  with  repeated  assaults  upon  his  private 
character  which,  however,  having  no  foundation  in  fact,  recoiled  upon 
his  assailants  with  redoubled  force.  The  Cumherland  Times,  at  tirst, 
experienced  a  severe  struggle  for  life,  but  by  scru[)ulously  observing 
every  principle  of  honor  and  good  faith,  and  conducting  its  publica- 
tion with  a  fearless  regard  for  the  genuine  good  of  the  community 
it  represents,  irresp(!ctive  of  personal  preju dices  or  party  demands, 
its  owner  has  broken  down  and  utterly  destroyed  its  early  opposi- 
tion and  won  for  himself  and  his  paper  the  respect  of  the  entire  popu- 
lation in  and  aliout  Greenup.  2  he  Times  is  one  of  the  few  coun- 
try papers  in  southern  Illinois  which  affords  its  owner  a  comforta- 
ble and  sure  living,  and,  at  the  same  time,  maintains  a  high  commer- 
cial credit.  It  is  not  only  the  official  organ  of  Cumberland  County, 
but  may  justly  be  placed  among  the  leading  journals  of  the  Sixteenth 
Congressional  District. 

NICIKJLAS  F.  TROXEL,  farmer  (post-otlice  Grcenuii),was  l)orn 
in  Morgan  County,  Iiid.,  October  1.5,  l.SHl.  His  father,  Daniel,  and 
mother,  Elizabeth  (Hnkman)  Troxel,  moved  in  an  early  day  from 
Virginia  to  Kentucky,  thence  to  Tennessee,  and  thence  to  Indiana. 
They  were  parents  of  ten  childi-cn.  Our  subject  came  to  Cumber- 
land County,  111.,  with  his  parents  in  1840,  when  he  was  nine  years 
old.  Pearly  in  life  he  worked  on  a  farm,  and  attended  school,  secur- 
ing a  good  business  education.  He  has  always  followed  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  now  owns  a  finely  improved  farm  of  eighty  acres  near 


GKEEM  I'    TOWNSlIir. 


279 


Groi'iiup.  II.'  has  :i  tine  residence,  suhstaiitiul  out-buikliuirs,  and  a 
goo  1  orcliai-d  of  choiee  fruits.  He  lias  been  a  meml)er  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F..  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Frateruity;  has  been  a 
school  director  for  several  years.  Mr.  T.'s  wife  was  Harriet  M. 
McQuiston.  To  them  have  been  born  four  children,  viz.:  William 
D.,  Charles  E.,  Mirgaret  E.  (deceased),  Mary  (deceased). 

THOMAS    C  TUTEWH.Ell  was  born   October  13,  1818,  in 
Fairtield    County,  Ohio.     His  tather  was  a  native  of  Rockin<rham 
County,  Va.;  settled  in  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  in  1801,  and  entered 
there  a  tarm,  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death.     Our  subject  re- 
mained at   home  workinir  on  the  farm  and  assistiuir  his  tather  in 
maintaininij  the  large  family  of  younger  children  until  of  age.     On 
July  2,  l.s;i:),  he  married  Esther  B.  Aleshire,  after  which  he  tarmed 
for  three  j-ears,  then  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  by  wagon,  in 
the  sprin^^  of  the  year.     Here  he  entered  320  acres  of  timber  land 
and  prairie.     He  is  a  pioneer  of  the  county  and  had  to  endure  all  the 
inconveniences  of  the  early  settlers.     He  lived  the  first  year  in  a  log 
cabin  with  a  blanket  for  a  door.     He  owned  GOO  acres  of  land,  which 
he  put  in  fine  cultivation,  and  built  a  residence  and  out-buildings. 
He  lost  heavily  by  prairie  fires  and  by  wolves  killing  sheep,  hogs, 
and  other  small  stock.     He  did  his  trading  mostly  in  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.;  having  no  wheat-flour,  he  had  to  go  to  a  horse-mill,  a  distance 
of  ten  miles,  to  get  corn  ground.     He  sold  l,r)0;)  pounds  of  pork  in 
an  early  day,  at  $1.25  p3r    hundred,  and  bought  salt  at  $8    per  bar- 
rel at  ferre  Haute.     His  entire  life  has  been  given  to  farming,  in 
which  he  has  l>een  very  successful.     He  has  divided  a  large  property 
among  his  ehildren,  but  still  retains  a  large  tarm;  also  owns  a  neat 
cottiige  residence  in  Greenup,  where  they  reside.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  T. 
have  been  nrarried  nearly  fifty  years,  and  are  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, viz.:    Jacob  H.,  Lydia  A.,  Julia  A.,  and   R'bacca  J.,  all  living, 
and  in  prosperous  circumstances.     They  are  mcmbn-s  of  the  Method- 
ist Church.     Mrs.  T.  is  charitable  and  generous,  and  is  ever  a  friend 
to  the  poor  and  the  afflicted. 

D.  C  UNDERWOOD,  druggist,  Greenup,  was  l)orn  in  Knox 
County,  Oliio,  November  V.),  1812.  His  great-grandtather  was  from 
S-otland,  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Jesse,  his  son,  and  grand- 
father of  our  subje;'t,  was  born  in  that  State,  where  he  lived  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  he  was  fifty  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Knox 
County,  Ohio.  His  wife  was  a  Gsrm  in  laly  named  Julia  Myers; 
their  oldest  son,  H3nry,  and  father  of  Mr.  U.,  was  born  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, December  24,  180li.     He  married  Eliza  IluH'ort,  of  Pennsylvania, 


280  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

and  when  twonty-ciirl't  years  old  he  cunie  to  Ohio  with  his  father's 
family,  where  he  still  lives,  and  is  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  Our  sub- 
ject remained  at  home  until  eighteen  years  old.  He  had  but  fair  advaii- 
tao'es  for  an  education,  but  by  home  study  and  close  application 
acquired  a  very  thorough  education,  and  fitted  himself  for  teaching. 
When  eighteen  years  old  he  enlisted  in  the  ninety  days'  service — in" 
the  late  war — in  Company  F,  Third  Ohio  Infantry.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  time  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  C,  Thirt3'-Second  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  three  years.  lie  first  saw  active 
service  in  Western  Virginia,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Cheat 
Mountain,  Crab  Orchard,  AVinchester,  Mooreland  Heights,  etc.  At 
the  battle  of  Harper's  Ferry  he  was  taken  prisoner,  after  being 
twice  wounded,  was  paroled  and  sent  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  was 
later  exchanged,  and  was  in  Grant's  army  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
He  was  appointed  Fii*st  Sergeant,  and  at  Vicksburg  was  Provost- 
Marshal  for  two  months.  He  won  several  promotions,  and  was 
assiirned  to  many  responsible  positions  requiring  good  judgment. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Ohio,  gave  some  time  to 
study,  and  soon  after  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.  Here  he 
taught  school  in  various  parts  of  the  county  for  eleven  years,  until 
1879,  when  he  embarked  in  the  drug  business  in  Greenup,  his  pres- 
ent occupation.  He  has  a  large  stock  and  a  good  trade.  On  August 
v3,  1867,  he  married  Miss  LydiaS.  Gifiin,  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio. 
They  are  parents  of  five  children,  viz.:  James,  Henry  W.  H.  (de- 
ceased). Jolm  C,  Eliza  M.,  and  Stella  J.  He  is  an  acceptable  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

SAMUEL  WALDEN,  fiirmer  (post-office  Hazel  Dell),  is  a  native 
of  Oldham  County  Ky.,  born  July  18,  1821.  When  a  boy  he  was 
apprenticed  to  the  tanners'  trade,  which  he  folloAved  five  years. 
Owing  to  the  father's  poverty  and  large  family  he  had  meagre  advan- 
taires  for  an  education,  but  by  his  own  efforts,  with  little  instruction, 
he  acquired  sufficient  knowdedge  of  the  common  branches  to  enable 
him  to  properly  transact  business  during  his  sid)se(|uent  active  life. 
In  1H44  he  went  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  bought  and  improved 
cightyacresof  land,  for  which  he  gave  his  notes,  but  met  the  payments. 
In  18")8  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  bought 
120  of  the  240  acres  he  now  owns  and  lives  on.  He  has  a  fine,  large 
residence,  and  other  improvements  in  ke(!ping  with  it,  and  all 
ac(iuired  through  his  industry.  On  December  li),  1850,  he  married 
Cordelia  E.  Guyton,  of  Oldham  County,  Ky.  They  have  six  children 
living,  four  of  whom  are  married,  and  three  residins:  in  the  neighbor- 


<4KEEM  r    TOWN8TIIP.  ^^1 

hood.  lie  was  in  the  iMcxican  war  nine  months,  and  diseharired  tbrdis- 
abilit  V.  In  earlier  days  Mr.  Walden  was  an  old  line  Wlii<jr  and  Aboli- 
tionist, buc  later  beeanie,  and  is  now  a  Republiean.  He  is  a  strong 
temperance  worker  and  Prohibitionist.  He  is  an  elder  in,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  to  which  his  ^vifc  also  belongs. 

THORNTON  A.  AVARD,  retired  farmer  (post-office  Greenup). 
was  born  November  25,  1816,  in  Virginia.     When  four  years  old  he 
went  with  his  parents  to  Ross  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  on 
a  farm.     His  education  was  obtained  principally  by  working  away 
from  homo  doing  chores  for  his  board,  and  attending  school;  during 
winter  and  summer  he  either  worked  on  the  home  farm,  or  out  by 
the  month,  giving  his  earnings  to  his  father.      When  seventeen 
years  old  he  went  to  work  for  an  uncle,  and  remained  with  him  a 
few  years.     He  then  rented  a  farm,  which  he  continued  on  eleven 
years.     In  1852  he  came  to  Cumberland  County  and  bought  120  of 
the  840  acres  he  now  owns  and  resides  on,  160  acres  of  which  are  in 
Jasper  County.     On  June  27,  1848,  he  married  Elizabeth  E.  Cro- 
zier,  of  Chillicothc,  Ohio.     They  are  parents  of  eight  children,  viz.: 
James,   John,   Allison,    Lorenzo,    Robert,  Franklin,    Eva    A.    and 
Arminna  E.,  (deceased).     His  sons  are  all  successful  business  men, 
or  prosperous  farmers,  and  in  good  financial  circumstances.     Eva  A- 
is  highly  educated,  and  an  accomplished  musician;  lives  in  Centra- 
lia,  Mo.,  and  is   teaching  music.     She   is  unmarried.     Mr.    Ward 
resides  in  a  fine  large  brick  house  which  cost  $6,000.     The  brick  used 
were  burned  from  clay  on  his  own  farm.     The  house  has  ten  rooms, 
with  all  the  conveniences   and*  modern    improvements.     His  large 
property  is  the  result  of  industry,  economy  and  skillful   manage- 
ment, he  having  had  no  assistance  from  others.     He  is  a  strong  tem- 
perance man  and  worker,  and  occupies  a  high  social  standing  in  the 
community. 

JOHN  WETHERHOLT,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was  born 
in  Essex  County,  N.  J.,  September  12,  1828.  When  three  years  old 
he  went  with  his  parents  to  Franklin  County,  (^hio,  was  raised 
on  a  tarm,  now  in  the  city  limits  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  until  he  was 
fifteen  years  old,  when  he  left  home  and  learned  the  trade  of  brick 
moulder,  and  made  it  his  principal  business  for  seventeen  years. 
In  1846  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Second  Ohio  Regiment,  and 
served  one  year  in  the  Mexican  war.  His  first  successful  invest- 
ment was  during  the  late  war  of  the  Rebellion,  when  he  bought  200 
acres  of  timber  land  near  Cincinnati,  on  credit,  sold  the  timber  off 
at  high  prices,  and  with  the  proceeds  soon  after  came  to  C'umbcr- 


282  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES— CUMBERLAXl)    COUNTl': 

land  County,  111.,  ant!  invested  them  in  land  here.  He  now  owns 
ilHo  acres  of  land,  mostly  in  Cniliberland  County,  49')  of  which  are 
in  one  farm,  on  which  he  resides,  within  one  mile  of  Greenup. 
His  large  accumulations  are  the  result  of  good  financiering,  great 
industry  and  strict  economy.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  strong 
Democrat,  and  held  various  positions  within  the  gift  of  that  party, 
heino-  the  first  Democratic  supervisor  elected  from  his  toMuship. 
In  February,  18.")7,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Petlers.  They  are 
the  i^irents  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  save  one. 
Mr.  AV.  is  a  generous,  public  spirited  man,  a  liberal  giver  to  chari- 
table institutions,  and  much  respected  by  his  acquaintances  and  asso- 
ciates. 

WILLIAM  C  WILLSON  was  born  in  Hampshire  County,  Va., 
March  81, 1807,  and  is  of  English  descent.  His  grandfather  was  one 
of  the  English  nobility.  His  father  was  born  in  London,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  eight  years  old. 
He  was  a  merchant,  principally,  but  late  in  life  came  to  Carroll 
County,  Ohio,  and  farmed,  and  there  died.  He  was  married 
to  Nancy  Heritedgo.  They  have  had  nine  children.  Our  subject,  who 
was  the  third  child,  remained  at  home  until  of  age,  when  he  went 
to  New  York  State,  and  there  farmed  and  drove  stage  for  ei^rhteen 
month-.  Then  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  drove  stage  for  five  years, 
from  Columbus,  on  the  National  road.  In  1837  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  entered  160  acres  of  land.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio,  remained 
five  years  driving  stage,  then  came  again  to  Illinois,  sold  his  land 
for  $300  and  went  back  to  Ohio.  In  1842  he  came  to  Cumberland 
County  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  owned  until  1860, 
when  he  bought  his  present  home  residence  in  Greenup,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  has  always  been  a  strong  tcmi^erance  man, 
and  an  advocate  of  temperance  principles.  Mr.  W-  has  always  Ix^en 
industrious,  economical  and  saved  his  earnings.  For  the  last  num- 
ber of  years  his  business  has  been  that  of  loaning  money.  He  was 
never  married. 

HENRY  WINSLOAV,  lumber  and  grain  dealer,  Greenup,  was 
born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  January  24, 1826.  All  his  ancestors 
on  the  paternal  side  were  from  the  same  county,  as  far  back  as  can 
be  traced.  AVlien  three  yearsjold,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Indi- 
ana; they  settled  in  Rush  County.  His  father  cleared  and  put  under 
<'tdtivation  the  first  farm  of  ei'ditv  acres  in  that  county.  When  our 
subject  was  f(,urteen  years  old,  his  father  died.  With  the  help  of  a 
brother,  lie  maintained  the  family,  and  paid  off  a  large  debt  owed  by 


GREENUP    TOWNSHIP.  283 

his  father  at  tho  time  of  his  death.  After  leavinir  home,  he  learned 
the  carpenters'  trade,  and  engajj^ed  in  contracting  and  buihling.  He 
was  thus  employed  until  September  4,  1852,  when  he  married  Mary 
E.  Brooks,  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  then  went  to  farminir,  leasing 
for  three  years.  He  then  went  in  debt  for  $3,300,  for  a  farm  and 
threshing  machine,  but  paid  it  up  in  full  within  six  years.  He  gave 
twenty-six  years  to  farming  in  Indiana,  both  before  and  after  mar- 
riage, and,  in  1872,  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  with  a  saw- 
mill, locating  four  miles  north  of  Greenup,  and  went  to  cutting 
walnut  lumber.  In  1873,  during  the  general  financial  reverses, 
owing  to  dishonest  practic(\s  of  his  partners  in  business,  he  failed; 
but  he  paid  every  cent  of  his  indebtedness,  paying  one  debt  of  $G,.500 
in  cash.  Since  that  event,  he  has  been  engaged  in  his  present  l)usi- 
ne^s  of  buying  grain,  lumber,  hoop-poles,  staves,  etc.  Although  he 
has  not  regained  a  large  property,  yet  such  is  his  reputation  for  hon- 
esty and  fair  dealing,  that  he  has  a  good  credit.  He  is  a  strict  tem- 
perance man,  and  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  have  six  children,  viz.:  Mary  E.,  Jessie  B.,  Sarah  A.,  PIel)erM., 
John,  and  Anna  J.;  all  deceased  but  Hebar  and  Anna  J.  The  latter 
is  now  away  attending  school  and  learning  music. 

WILLIAM  WYLDE,  real  estate  and  insurance  agent,  Greenup, 
was  born  December  31,  1840,  in  Leicestershire,  England.  His  father, 
Samuel,  was  a"farmer,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1844,  and 
settled  near  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  then  worked  for  Sullivan,  the 
great  Illinois  farmer,  until  18.52,  then  moved  to  Madison  County, 
Ohio.  In  1858,  he  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  bought  a  farm 
near  Toledo,  where  he  died  the  following  year.  Onr  subject  received 
a  thorough  education  in  early  life,  and  graduated  from  the  Indianap- 
olis Commercial  College  in  18  )1>.  In  18;>3,  he  attended  a  Normal 
School,  and  fitted  himself  for  te.iching.  Th;ni,  for  three  years,  he 
bought  and  sold  cattle  during  summer,  and  taught  school  winter 
seasons.  Upon  his  return  from  Indianapolis,  he  married  Laurinda 
Vandyke,  of  Toledo,  111.  They  have  had  two  children,  viz.:  Nettie 
and  Dais}'  (now  deceased.)  In  18157,  he  engaged  in  farming,  near 
Greenup,  for  one  year;  then  returned  to  Toledo,  remaining  there  a 
year;  thence  to  Greenup,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  teaching  school,  in  civil  engineering,  and  is  now  in 
the  real  estate,  loan  and  insurance  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  ().  O.  F. 


17 


284  BfOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES Cl'MBERLAND    COUNTY : 


CROOKED    CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 

CHARLES  J.  ALLEN,  farmer  (post-office  Greenup),  was  born 
in  Cumberland  (then  Coles)  County,  III.,  September  '2^,  1<S36.  His 
early  lite  was  spent  in  arduous  farm  labor,  and  until  he  was  thirty 
years  old  he  supported  his  parents,  brothers  and  sisters.  In  1862, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  late  war,  he  participatini>'  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg'  and  many  hard-fought  battles,  winning  an  enviable  repu- 
tation as  a  soldier,  and  being  several  times  promoted  for  heroic  serv- 
ices. At  the  close  of  the  late  war  he  engaged  in  his  present  vocation  of 
farming.  He  is  now  one  of  the  "  solid  "  men  of  the  county,  and  his 
high  financial  standing  he  has  attained  through  his  own  exertions. 
He  was  married  to  Rachel  Whorton.  October  3,  186.").  To  them  have 
been  born  nine  children — Eva  M.,  Miry  S.,  Thomas  W.,  Nanc}"  J., 
Laura  C.,  Charles  L.,  Nora  M.,  Minnie  (deceased),  and  Grertie  O. 

SAMUP]L  ALLENB AUGH,  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  E.  (Houpt) 
Allenbaugh,  was  born  in  Cheat  River  Valley,  Maryland,  March  2, 
1807.  His  father  dying  when  he  was  five  years  old  he  went  to  live 
with  an  uncle;  a  few  years  later,  while  yet  a  boy,  he  started  in  life 
for  himself,  first  Avorkino-  on  a  farm  by  the  month,  then  learniu"- 
the  shoemaker's  trade.  He  early  saw  the  advantage  of  self-culture, 
and,  while  working  at  his  trade,  saved  sufficient  means  to  pay  tuition 
and  othei"  expenses  necessarily  incurred  in  his  efforts  to  obtain  an 
eilucation,  and  by  close  application  and  home  study,  with  a  few  terms 
at  school,  he  accpiired  a  fair  literary  education,  which  qualified  him 
to  teach  school,  and  pursue  a  course  of  study  in  Theology.  He  was 
ordained  a  minister  in  the  United  Brethren  Church,  but  later  united 
with  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  ('hurch,  and  was  pastor  for  three 
years  over  a  church  in  Madison  County.  Va.,  where  his  devout  Chris- 
tian life,  and  ability  were  instrumental  in  doing  much  good,  and  won 
for  him  thc^  respect  and  esteem  of  all.  .  In  1849,  he  came  to  Cum- 
berland County,  HI.,  and  settled  where  he  now  resides.  He  now 
owns  251)  acu'cs  of  land,  and  his  farm  is  among  the  finest  and  best  im- 
proved in  the  county.  This  fine  [)rop(n-ty  is  the  result  of  industry,  econ- 
omy, and  skillful  management.  His  wife  was  Miss  Ann  M.  Gossard. 
of  Franklin  County,  Penu.,  to  whom  he  was  married  August  4,  1829. 
To  the  influence  of  her  Christian  example,  and  frugal  assistance,  he 
largely  attril)utes  his  present   social   and  financial  standing.     They 


CROOKED  CREEK  TOWNSHir.  285 

are  the  parents  of  thirteen  ehihh-en,  only  six  of  whom  are  living, 
viz.:  John  W.,  Victoria  P.  (noAV  Mrs.  Sedawiek,  of  Greenup),  Will- 
iam, Samuel  S..  James  M.,  and  Francis  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allenbaugh 
are  living-  in  their  ripe  old  age  to  see  the  prosperity  and  usefidness  of 
their  children. 

SAMUEL  F.  ARNOLD  (deceased),  was  born  and  reared  in 
Ohio.  His  principal  business  in  life  was  farming,  in  which  he  was 
always  very  successful.  When  of  age  he  married  Sarah  Hocker,  of 
Pennsylvania.  In  18()4,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  first  settled  in  Crawford 
County;  farmed  two  years,  then  located  in  Cumberhmd  County,  111., 
and  soon  after  died.  Since  his  death,  Mrs.  Arnold  has  managed  the 
farm,  transacting  all  the  business,  with  the  assistance  of  her  two 
sons — her  only  surviving  children — Harvey  A.,  and  Francis  C.  In 
life  Mr.  A.  was  a  member  of  the  German  Baptist  Church,  and  contribu- 
ted largely  to  the  building  up  and  maintaining  of  all  religious  insti- 
tutions, and  was  a  strong  su})porter  of  the  i)ublic  schools.  His  well- 
improved  farm,  large  fine  residence,  and  other  improvements,  are  the 
result  of  his  own  industry  and  skillful  management.  Mrs.  A.  is  a 
member  of  the  German  Baptist  Church,  and  is  highly  respected  for 
her  many  amiable  qualities. 

MARTIN  BARKLEY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
March  28,  1840,  came  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  Avhen  young, 
with  his  parents,  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  had  but  poor  advan- 
tages for  an  education.  He,  however,  improved  his  opportunities, 
and  acquired  a  good  business  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  never  missed  a  battle  in  which  the  regiment  participated,  or  a 
day's  service,  from  sickness  or  other  cause.  Pie  was  always  at  his 
post  of  duty.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  leased  land  for  several 
years,  but  by  saving  and  economizing  has  made  himself  the  owner  of 
a  farm  of  100  acres  of  well  improved  land,  with  a  good  house,  bam 
and  out-buildings,  and  an  orchard  of  select  fruit.  Mr.  B.  never 
was  married.  He  early  espoused  the  cause  of  equal  rights  to  all 
men,  and  united  with  the  Republican  party  at  its  organization.  The 
family  are  all  Democrats. 

EDWARD  BAUMGARDNER,  retired  farmer,  Hazel  Dell,  was 

iborn   October  2,  1814,  in  Lawrence  County,   Ohio.      His    ancestors 

were  all  natives  of  Virginia — served  in  the  Revolutionary  war — and 

were  pensioned  by  special  act  of  congress  for  meritorious  service. 

When  our  subject  was  sixteen  yeai-s  old  he  came  with  his  parents  to 


286  BIOGRAPHICAL   SIvETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Shelbv  County,  Iiid-'  :iiul  there  eno-aged  in  farming.  He  made  sev- 
eral trips  into  Missouri  and  Louisiana  with  cattle.  lie  was  the  old- 
est child  in  a  large  family,  and  his  father  being  in  straitened  circum- 
stances, he  remained  at  home  assisting  in  the  management  of  affairs 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  In  1836  he  contracted  for 
buildino'a  portion  of  the  Cincinnati  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  and  drove 
the  first  spike  in  its  construction.  He  then  successively  bought  and 
improved  several  farms  in  Indiana,  until  1853,  when  he  came  to  Cum- 
berland County,  m.,  and  bought  a  part  of  his  present  farm,  then  unim- 
proved. He  has  now  375  acres  of  land,  good  farm  residence,  a  large 
barn  and  out-buildings,  and  an  orchard  of  choice  fruit.  He  also 
owns  a  fine  new  residence  in  Hazel  Dell,  where  he  is  now  living  a 
retired  life.  Politically,  Mr.  B.  is  a  strong  Democrat  and  a  party 
leader,  and  was  elected  Sherifi"  one  term,  discharging  the  duties  of 
the  office  with  credit.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  fixed 
principles,  and  highly  respected  by  his  neighbors. 

PETER  BURNETT,  farmer,  is  a  nativ^e  of  Durhamshire,  Eng- 
land, born  February  14, 1841.  In  the  same  year  his  parents,  Thomas 
and  Isabella  ("Watson)  Burnett,  emigrated  to  America,  settled  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  Ohio,  where  they  remained  twelve  years,  and  then 
located  in  Cumberland  County,  111.  The  early  life  of  our  subject  was 
spent  in  farm  work  and  attending  country  schools,  thus  laying  the 
foundation  for  a  life  of  usefulness.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  in  Company  F,  Fifty-Ninth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  thirty-six  months,  participating  in 
the  foUowinsr  severe  battles  and  skirmishes,  viz.:  Pea  Ridge,  Perrv- 
ville,  Nolansville,  Stone  River,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionar}^  Ridge, 
Buzzard's  Roost,  in  Sherman's  campaign  in  Georgia,  in  the  summer  of 
1864,  and  Liberty  Gap.  He  was  complimented  for  bravery  at  Pea 
Ridge,  Ark.,  by  Col.  Jeff  C.  Davis.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to 
Kansas,  but  soon  returned  to  Cumberland  County,  bought  and  im- 
proved a  farm  of  140  acres,  and  built  a  fine  residence  valued  at  $2,000. 
His  life  has  been  mainly  devoted  to  farming,  in  Avhich  he  has  been 
(uninently  successful.  He  has  always  been  a  generous  supporter  of 
charitable  and  educational  measures.  In  agricultural,  intellectual  and 
religious  matters,  his  actions  have  always  been  characterized  by 
energy  and  integrity.  On  August  28,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Jane  Trees,  f)f  Hazel  Dell.  They  have  had  four  children  born  to  them, 
viz.:  Celia,  William,  Anna  (deceased),  and  an  infant. 

CRAVEN  COPELAND,  farmer,  was  born  in  Virginia,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1824.     Wiiile  (juite  young,  his  parents  removed  to  Indiana,. 


CROOKED  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  287 

and  while  residing  there,  he  attended  sehool  for  eleven  years.  When 
of  age  he  commenced  life  for  himself.  He  engaged  in  farming  in 
Indiana,  where  he  remained  nntil  IS")«;,  when  he  came  to  Cumberland 
County  and  bought  a  part  of  the  farm  when^  he  now  lives.  He  now 
owns  a  farm  of  810  acres  of  well  improved  prairie  land,  which  is 
entirely  the  result  of  his  own  tinanciering  and  industry.  He  is  also 
heir  to  sixty-seven  acres  of  land  in  Indiana,  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  On 
April  7,  1847,  he  married  Fanny  Kibble,  of  Brown  County,  Ind.  She 
died  June  21,  1873,  leaving  a  family  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom, 

-through  the  influence  of  h(>rpure,  consistent  Christian  life  and  teach- 
ings, have  united  with  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  DkBORD,  farmer,  was  born  in  Decatur  County, 
Ind.,  October  1,  1834.  His  ancestors  were  all  from  Viririnia.  His 
great-grandfiither  came  to  America  with  La  Fa\-ette,  and  served  under 
him  as  a  Colonel  in  the  Kevolutionay  war.  Our  subject  came  with  his 
parents  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  in  18,52,  and  assisted  in  the  imjirove- 
mentof  a  new  farm  of  240  acres.     He  remained  principally  at  home 

^until  of  age.  He  was  afforded  fair  advantaoes  for  an  education, 
and  by  close  application  to  study,  and  by  improving  his  opportunities, 
he  prepared  himself  for  teaching,  and  for  ably  conducting  the  respon- 
sible positions  he  occupied  in  aftcsr  life.  When  he  commenced  life  for 
himself,  he  first  tauirht  school  one  year,  then  eno-ao-ed  in  mercantile 
l)iLsiness  for  two  years.  At  the  death  of  his  father  in  August,  1858, 
he  returned  home  and  supported  the  family.  On  August  G,  1861,  he 
unlisted  as  private  in  Company  H,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
served  three  years  and  twenty-seven  days  in  the  war,  and  participated 
in  the  ])attles  of  Pcrrvville,  Stone  River,  Chickamauija,  and  other 
severe  engagements,  having  been  twice  wounded.  He  was  success- 
ively promoted  to  Corporal,  Sergeant  and  Lieutenant,  and  was  chosen 
one  of  the  "  Legion  of  Honor,"  a  select  company  organized  for  special, 
hazardous  service.  While  in  command  of  Company  G,  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and  endured  the  liardships  of  Scott's, 
Libby  and  Danville  prisons.  He  made  several  attempts  to  escape, 
•one  of  which  was  successful,  but  after  many  adventures  and  much  suf- 
fering, was  re-taken,  thrown  into  Ji  dungeon,  and  there  confined  until 
he  was  exchanged,  when  he  returned  to  his  reirimeut.  After  the 
close  of  tiie  war,  he  cam(>  to  Hazel  Dell,  and  eniraged  in  nuM-cantile 
biLsiness  with  M.  Sanford,  then  moved  on  his  fine  farm  in  Crooked 
Creek  Townshii),  and  has  since  followed  farmiuir  and  stock-raisinof. 
Bemg  a  strong  advocate  of  Republican  principles,  he  was  elected  from 

-a  Democratic  district  to  the  Thirty-Third  General  Assembly,  where 


28^  HKKJi;  U'llKAL    SKETCHES — CUMBEKLAM)    COUXTi': 

by  his  vote  he  gjivo  the  organization  ofthe  House  to  the  Republieans. 
He  was  appointed  on  several  committees,  among  which  were  Militia, 
Drainage,  Fish  and  Game,  and  the  more  important  Committee  on 
Executive;  I)c})artment,  of  which  lie  was  a  leading  member.  A>s  a 
legislator  he  was  punctual,  ciuick-sighted,  and  eti'ective,  for  which  he 
was  comi)limented  by  Gov.  Hamilton  and  United  States  Senator  Cul- 
lom.  To  his  ellbrts  is  greatly  due  the  present  Compulsory  Education 
and  Higii-license  Li(pior  hiAvs.  He  has  always  been  })iiblic-si)irited, 
and  a  generous  supporter  of  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  general 
good.  On  June  4,  ISG.'),  he  married  Miss  Eliza  Sanford,  of  Hiizel  Dell. 
She  died  Mav  1>,  1878,  leaving:  two  children.  Marv  and  Nellie.  He 
was  next  married,  October  2(i,  1882,  to  Miss  Elizalx-th  Yelton.  To 
them  have  been  born  one  child,  Thomas. 

ALBERT  G.  DORSET,  a  young  and  prosperous  farmei-,  came 
to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  from  Ohio,  in  18(>(i.  A  year  later  he 
bought  the  fann  on  which  he  now  lives.  It  was  then  unimproved,  but 
hard  and  constant  labor  and  good  management  have  placed  it  nearly 
all  under  good  cultivation.  He  has  built  a  comfortable  residence,  a 
fine  ])arn,  and  added  other  conveniences  and  improvements.  When 
seventeen  years  old  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twelfth  Ohio  Cav- 
alry, as  a  [irivate,  but  for  ellective  service  was  promoted  from  the 
ranks.  He  w^mained  in  the  service  two  years,  or  until  discharired  for 
disability  received  during  a  charge.  On  December  2G,  r869,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  E.  Cole,  of  (]um])erland  Coimtv,  formcrlv  from  Ohio. 
Having  no  family  of  their  own,  they  have  ado[)ted  an  infant  to  raise. 

JONATHAX  S.  FINNEY,  farmer,  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
Februar}^  2(>,  1819,  conunenced  life  on  his  own  account  at  ten  years 
of  age,  l)y  working  on  a  farm,  \vhere  he  remained  two  years,  then 
worked  as  a  day  laborer  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when 
he  married  Rachel  E.  White,  of  Union  Comity,  Ind.,  and  the  same 
year  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  settled,  and  farmed  on  the 
site  where  the  town  of  Hazel  Dell  now  stands.  II(!  has  owned  and 
worked  several  tarnis  in  various  parts  of  Crooked  Creek  Township^ 
but  in  I'Si;,")  moved  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  In  18<)2  he 
enlisted  in  Com[)any  F,  Fifty-Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infautiy,  as 
private,  but  won  the  promotions  of  Corporal  and  Sergeant.  ]Mr.  Fin- 
ney has  held  various  public  offices,  among  which  were  S<'hool  Direc- 
tor, Sui)ervisor  and  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Missionary  Baj)tist  Church  for  thirty  years.  His  wife  is  also  a 
member.  In  early  days  he  was  a  strong  anti-slavery  man,  and  is 
now  a  Prohihitiouist  and  temperance  worker.      To  Mi",  and  Mi"s.  F- 


C'KOOKFJ)    CKKKK    TOWNSHIl'.  2^9 

have  hvoii  born  ei,<»lit  cliildicn,  viz.:  -losiah   (dcrcascil j,  Alexander, 
Mary  E.,  Frances  J.,  Milton  1).,  Snsan  E.,  Anna  and  Emily. 

JOHN  FKEELAXI),  farmer,  was  born  in  Hardin  Covmty,  Ohio, 
Ai)ril  IS.  1S42.  lleeame  with  his  parents  to  Crawford  County.  III.,  and 
remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  tifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  h>ft 
home  and  ;issi.sted  in  driving  cattle  through  to  Kansas.  Pleased  with 
the  West,  he  remained  there  ten  yejirs,  employed  in  teaming,  herding 
cattle,  and  for  some  time  was  in  charge  of  a  large  wagon-train  on  the 
plains,  lie  endured  many  hardslii^js  in  his  frontier  life,  among  which 
were  .several  sanguine  coutests  with  the  Indians.  In  1<S()7  he  returned 
on  a  visit  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  when  he  renewed  a  former  acquain- 
tance with  Mary  13.  .lenuine,  to  whom  he  was  married  November  17, 
1868.  They  are  the  [)arents  of  live  children,  viz.:  Kate,  Ora,  Etta, 
Blanche  and  Frankie.  After  his  marriage  he  moved  to  Cuml)erland 
(,'ounty.  111.,  and  gave  his  attention  to  farming,  tirst  renting  then 
l>uying  th(!  splendid  farm  of  1()0  acres  he  now  owns.  He  is  a  man  of 
nmch  physical  as  well  as  mental  power;  social,  free-hearted  andener- 
iretic;  has  manv  friends,  and  is  eminently  successful  in  all  his  under- 
takings. 

HENRY  X.  P.  FRITTS  (deceased),  of  German  descent,  was 
born  in  New  Jersey,  July  (5,  1S24,  and  remained  at  home  working 
on  the  farm  and  attending  .school  until  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Cler- 
mont County,  Ohio,  and  there  married  Hannah  Kellogg.  After 
his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming,  tirst  renting,  then  buying  a 
farm  which  he  cultiv^ated  until  IS,"),"),  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to 
Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  l)ought  108  acres  of  new  i)rairie 
land.  He  improved  this,  then  sold  out  and  bought  2(iU  acres.  This 
he  improved,  i)laced  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  built  a 
large,  tine  residence.  He  again  sold  out  and  bought  180  acres,  the 
present  homestead.  He  built  a  s[)l(Miditl  residence,  and  otherwise 
improved  his  farm;  gave  his  attention  to  raising  tine  l)reeds  of 
horses  and  cattle.  His  large  estate  was  the  result  of  energy  and 
economy.  He  was  a  strong,  active  temperance  man,  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  charitable  and  benevolent,  and 
esteemed  l)y  all  who  knew  liini.  He  i)asseil  away  leaving  a  Avidow 
and  (iight  children. 

TIMOTHY  KELLY,  farmer,  was  born  in  County  Carey,  Ire- 
land, March  1;'),  1880,  where  his  early  life  was  spent  in  farming. 
In  1S52  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New^  Orleans, 
IjA.  There  were  thirty-two  deaths  from  cholera  on  board  the  vessel 
in  which  he  came,  and  owing  to  isevere  storms  and  quarantine,  he 


2H(>  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND   COUNTY: 

was  over  two  months  en  route.  He  was  first  employed  in  railroad 
constrnction  work,  in  Louisiana,  but,  unable  to  collect  his  wages, 
he  returned  to  New  Orleans  and  loaded  ships.  In  March,  1851,  he 
went  to  L)a^'ton.  Ohio,  and  there  worked  on  the  railroad  one  vear, 
then  went  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and  hired  out  at  farminofor  $180 
per  year.  He  worked  eighteen  months,  saved  all  his  earnings  and 
then  went  to  Putnam  Comity,  111.,  remained  six  montlis  and  then 
returned  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.  He  came  to  Cumberland  County 
in  about  18G2.  Mr.  Kelly  has  been  married  twice,  his  first  wife 
beinof  Marv  Griffith,  his  second,  Nancy  Lawson,  both  of  Decatur 
County,  Ind.,  the  first  wife  being  deceased.  He  is  the  father  of  nine 
children,  all  living  but  two.  He  now  owns  220  acres  of  land,  well 
improved,  one  half  mile  from  Hazel  Dell.  He  also  deals  largely  in 
stock. 

JOHN  A.  KELLY,  tarmer,  was  born  November  28,  1842.  in 
Decatur  County,  Ind.  He  came  with  his  parents  in  an  early  day  to 
Cumberland  Countv,  111.  He  was  given  poor  advantages  for  educa- 
tion, but  when  a  young  man,  and  even  after  returning  from  the  war, 
he  attended  school  one  year,  thus  securing  a  gOod  l)usiness  education. 
When  nineteen  years  old  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fifty-Ninth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  being  oftered  several  promotions,  but  always 
declining.  He  participated  in  eighteen  general  l)attles,  and  was 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Stone  lliver.  On  April  27.  1865,  he  mar- 
ried Marv  B.  McCash,  of  Cumberland  Countv.  Thev  have  fourchil- 
dren,viz.:  Charlie,  Clark  M.,  Milton  D.,  Nettie  I.  They  have  also 
raised  one  child,  Sarah  M.  Harris.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
eng-ao-cd  in  farmins"  until  1870,  when  he  run  a  o-rist-mill  for  two 
years,  in  Ha/el  Dell,  then  returned  to  farming,  which  he  has  since 
followed.  His  deceased  father  left  him  a  good  farm,  ])ut  he  has  since 
improved  and  added  to  until  he  now  owns  430  acres  of  land.  His 
system  of  farming  is  based  upon  scientific  principles,  and  he  has  all 
the  latest  improved  farm  implements.  His  land  is  divided  into 
farms,  each  having  all  necessary  improvements,  a  good  house,  out- 
buildings, etc.  In  i)olitics  he  is  a  Re})ul)lican,  also  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  His  high  social  standing  in  the  community  is  the  result  of 
his  kind  and  generons  disposition,  strict  integrity  and  sterling  worth. 

MICHAEL  KKLLY,  of  the  Hrm  of  Mitchell  &  Kelly,  mer- 
chants and  general  stock,  Hazel  Dell,  is  a  native  of  County  Carey, 
Ireland,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  In  October,  1849,  he 
emigrated   to  the  United  States  on  the  '-Judy  Tower."  having  been 


CKOOKKD    CHEEK    TOWNSHIP.  291 

forty-threo  days  on  the  wator,  and  lancUnl  at  New  Orleans,  La.  He 
was  first  employed  two  years  on  railroad  eonstruction  work,  in  Ala- 
bama, then  went  to  Indiana  and  worked  on  farms  by  the  month,  in 
Rush  and  Deeatur  Counties,  for  about  five  years.  He  then,  on  De- 
cember 31,  IS.")!),  married  Xancy  J.  MePherson,  of  Deeatur  County. 
A  year  after  his  marriage  he  rented  his  mother-in-law's  farm  of  forty 
acres,  which  he  conducted  nntil  1861,  Avhen  became  to  Cumberland 
County,  III.,  and  bouoht  and  opened  eighty  acres.  He  now  owns  a 
farm  of  200  acres,  all  fine  i)rairie  land,  one-half  mile  from  Hazel 
Dell;  he  has  a  large  l)arn.  three  acres  of  orchard  and  a  j^l.OOO  house. 
His  farm  is  mostly  hedged.  In  ISSl  he  bought  five  acres  of  land  in 
Hazel  Dell,  and  built  a  fine,  spacious  residence,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000, 
and  moved  into  town.  Two  years  prior  to  this,  he,  with  his  son-in- 
law,  Mitchell,  built  a  store,  their  present  business  location,  a 
buildino-  l<Sx().")  feet.  Thev  carry  a  stock  of  $8,000,  and  do  a  flour- 
ishing  business.  Mr.  Mitchell,  his  partner,  is  Postmaster.  Mr. 
Kelly  is  out  of  debt,  and  worth  about  $2"),000.  He  is  a  Catholic  in* 
religion,  and  contrilnited  largely  to  the  building  of  a  Catholic  Chureh 
in  Irelauil.  He  has  always  been  public  spirite<l  and  charitable.  Mr. 
Kelly  landed  in  the  United  States  wath  only  an  English  shilling  in 
money,  in  his  pocket,  no  friends,  or  even  acquaintances.  He  has  had 
no  financial  assistance  from  any  one,  and  accunnilated  his  present 
wealth  by  his  own  skillful  mauagcnicntand  his  industry  and  economy. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  have  been  born  eight  children,  viz.:  John, 
Lizzie  (now  Mrs.  G.  M.  ^Mitchell,  business  partner  of  Mr.  Kelly): 
Mary,  William,  Frank  (deceased),  Eddie  (deceased),  Maggie 
(deceased),  Olive  (deceased).  John  andj  William  now  manage  the 
tarm  and  live  at  home. 

JAMES  :McBKI1)E  was  born  in  Lancaster  (Jounty,  Penu., 
December  17,1824.  His  father,  James,  Sr..  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  boy.  When  our  sub- 
ject was  but  ten  years  old  he  was  hired  out  to  a  tanner,  by  his  fathei-, 
who  took  his  earnings.  Upon  the  death  of  his  tather,  Mr.  Me. 
returned  home  and  assumed  the  support  of  the  family  and  managc^- 
ment  of  his  father's  business,  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of 
ai!('.  On  Septeinlx-r  12,  ls.')0,  he  married  Elizabeth  Zimmerman, 
who  has  borne  her  husband  nine  children,  viz.:  John  (deceased), 
William  I.,  James  IL,  Barbara  A.,  Samuel  V.,  Andrew  R.,  Samh 
J.,  Enuna  E.,  and  Mary  E.  In  1853,  with  a  few  d(.llai-s  earned  as  a 
day  laborer,  he  came;  to  Cumberland  County.  111.,  and  l)ought  110 
acres  of  new   i)rairie  laiul,  going  for  the  most    part  in  debt  for  it. 


292  UKxjiiAriiKM,  sKKT(-iii:s — (r.Mi{Ki;i,AM)  corxTY: 

He  now  lia>  141  acres  of  land.  11(1  of  which  arc  riiuhi'i-.  His  tarni  is 
well  iinpi-ovcd,  with  a  uood,  substantial  cottaiic  residence,  witii  a 
fine  barn,  a  peach  and  tln-ee  acres  ot'apph-  orchard,  cntiicly  iiis  own 
«'iirnin<is.  lie  was  one  of  the  first  to  raise  wiieat  when  it  was  thonirlit 
the  prairie  soil  would  not  produce  it.  and  durinir  one  year  raised 
thirty  bushels  to  the  acre.  He  has  also  obtained  fifty  bushels  of 
timothy  seed  from  nine  acres — the  best  yiidd  ever  known  in  the 
township.  He  lias  always  been  a  stroni;-  su])])orter  of  religious  and 
educational  institutions.  He  is  a  deacon  in  the  Dunkard  Bret  hern 
Church;  his  wife  is  also  a  member  of  that  demmiination.  He  is  a. 
Republican  in  politics,  and  was  ahvays  opi)osed  to  slavery. 

ANDKEW  ,}.  McCXSH  is  a  native  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
was  born  Xovember  ;>().  IS4/},  and  came  in  an  early  day  to  Cuml)er- 
laud  County,  111.  He  served  in  the  late  war  in  Company  B,  Second 
Illinois  Artilkny  for  three  years  and  eleven  months,  being  twice  pro- 
moted for  meritorious  conduct.  Savin_<>all  his  earnings,  at  the  close 
■of  the  war  he  bouirht  forty  acres  of  land,  has  since  added  to  it,  and 
now  owns  a  iiood  farm  with  nnmy  valuable  improvements.  On 
April  o(K  lS(i8,  he  married  Miss  Frances  J.  Finney,  of  Hazel  Dell. 
To  them  have  been  Ixmi  these  children,  viz.:  Leota.  Mylon  O., 
Estella  (deceased),  Donald  F.,  Eleanor,  and  Saniucd  J.  Mr.  McCash 
has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  reli<>ious  matters,  havin<>-  been 
ior  thi-(H-  years  a  minister  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  now  havin<>- 
charge  of  four  congregations.  He"is  able  and  consistent  in  his  teach- 
ings and  conduct,  and  is  a  jjower  for  good  in  the  conmiunity  in 
Avhich  he  lives.  By  his  many  friends  and  ac(|naintances  he  is  much 
respected. 

ADAM  KADEK  (deceased)  was  born  January  s.  1)S2{J;  came 
to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  in  iS.M.and  engaged  in  farming,  but,  in 
1874,  retired,  moved  to  Hazel  Dcdl,  and  lived  mostly  a  quiet  life  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  May  o,  l.SS;].  He  left  a  well- 
cultivat(Hl  and  imi)rov(Ml  farm,  and  a  large  estate,  valued  at  |1S,()0(). 
all  of  whi<di  was  acipiired  by  indefatigable  labor  and  rigid  econcmiy. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  contributed  liberally  to 
its  sup[)()il,  and  wascharitableand  public  spirited.  February  19,  1  .So2, 
he  married  Nancy  Sarter,  of  Cumberland  County,  who  still  survives, 
living  in  Hazel  Dell,  with  no  family,  and  uses  lil)erally  licr  ami)le 
means  in  contributing  to  ail  charitable  and  benevolent  movements. 
She  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Uader  was 
a  meml)er  in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  on  May  (j, 
18S3,  Hazel  Dell  Lodge,  \o.  :,sO.  A.  F.  cSi  A.  M.,  passed    resolutions 


CROOKKI)    CKKKK     r()\VNSHIP.  2Mo 

of  rc!<p('('t  tor  the  nuMiioi'v  ol"  the  (Icccascd,  ami  of  sympat  liy  tor  tho 
bereaved  widow. 

MARTIN  ,].  RUFFNEK,  fanner,  was  horn  in  Fairfield  (onntv, 
Ohio.  November  27,  1.S42,  and  is  of  German  deseent.  His  irreat- 
iifrandfatlier  was  a  very  early  settler  of  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  and 
was  there  killed  by  the  Indians  during  the  Indian  troubles  of  1.S12. 
His  father,  Walter  N.,  was  born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  Auaust  :^, 
1810,  and  during  his  growth  to  numhood  endured  all  the  hardshii)s 
of  pioneer  life.  He  lived  in  various  parts  of  Ohio,  and  married  Alvira 
Kelley.  on  April  24,  188(j,  in  Fairfield  C'ounty.  They  had  seven  chil- 
dren, five  of  Avhoni  are  living.  In  1848,  he  eame  to  Cumberland 
County.  111.,  and  bought  (!()()  acres  of  land,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  still  owns  ISO  acres,  after  niviui'-  to  each  of  his  children  sixtv-six 
acres.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  which  has  always  be(Mi 
his  business  in  life,  ^^'hen  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
with  his  regiment  in  all  the  battles  in  which  it  was  engaged.  He 
was  married,  in  18l)0,  to  Lutecia  Fox,  of  (bles  County.  She  died  in 
18»)(>.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Helen  V.  Waters,  of  Cumberland 
(/ounty.  They  have  had  six  children,  viz.:  Charles  X.  (deceased), 
Hugh  K.,  Hiram  B.,  Maggie  M.,  Maud  N.,  and  Effic  A.  Mr.  R.  now 
owns  a  farm  of  14G  acres,  eighty  of  which  he  purchased  after  liis 
return  from  the  army,  with  money  he  had  saved  from  his  pay  Avhile 
in  the  service.  He  has  his  farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
with  all  the  necessary  improvements.  Mr.  K.  and  wife  are  both 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  contributed  liberally  in 
money  towards  erecting  the  church  edifice  on  their  farm,  besides 
donating  the  land  which  it  occupies.  Mr.  R.  is  an  active  temperance 
man,  and  a  faithful  laborer  for  the  cause.  At  one  time  he  was  Wor- 
thy Chief  and  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Good  Temi)lars. 

DAVID  II.  SAXFORD,  merchant,  was  born  March  2,  1838,  in 
Decatur  County,  Ind.  His  father,  Joseph,  and  mother,  Levinah 
(Barlow),  were  both  natives  of  New  York,  the  father  being  a  farmer 
and  stock  dealer.  Our  subject  was  given  a  fair  literary  and  good 
business  education,  and  remained  at  home  until  of  age,  when  he  came 
to  Crooked  Creek  Township,  ( 'umberlaiul  County,  111.,  and  began 
the  improvement  of  120  acres  of  new  prairie  land.  He  first  erected 
a  small  frame  house,  but  he  has  since  built  a  good  residence  and 
otherwise  improved  the  tarm.  He  is  now  a  grain  dealer,  and  has 
dealt  largely  in  stock.  On  May  2,  l.S(31,  he  nuirried  Hulda  Bark  ley, 
of  Decatur  Countv,  Ind.     Thev  have  had  one  child,  Joseph  E.,  a  verv 


294  BIOGIIAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

intelligent  younij  gentleman,  noAv  telegraph  operator  and  station 
agent  "for  the  D.^  O.  &  O.  R.  R.  R.,  at  Hazel  Dell.  Mrs.  8.  died  April 
9,  1M69.  His  next  marriage  was  October  2.  1871,  to  Frances  B. 
Bamnganlner,  of  Crooked  Creek  Townshi]).  To  them  have  been  born 
fonr  children,  viz.:  Winnie,  ]Maud,  Lulu  (deceased),  and  Frank  II. 
On  December  1(3,  18G9,  Mr.  S.  moved  to  Hazel  Dell,  and  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  carrying  a  general  stock,  valued  at  $8,000, 
and  is  express  agent.  The  combination  of  telegraph  office,  express 
office,  with  his  large  trade,  gives  to  his  place  of  business  an  air  of 
life  and  thrift  seldom  seen  in  larger  mercantile  houses.  He  is  now 
Treasurer  of  the  Masonic  Order.  He  is  an  active,  working  Republi- 
can leader  in  politics,  and  a  strong  Prohibitionist;  has  been  Justice 
of  the  Peace  and  held  various  townshij)  offices,  and  was  an  organizer 
in  the  Grange  movement;  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

GEORGE  A\'.  8ARTER,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born 
October  1,  1824,  in  Knox  County,  Ind.,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  given  a  tair  education.  At  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  left  home 
iind  rented  a  farm,  but  two  years  later,  upon  the  death  of  his  father, 
and  he  being  the  oldest  child,  he  returned  home  and  managed  his 
father's  business,  and  sui)ported  the  family.  In  1852,  he  moved  to 
Crooked  Creek  Towiiship,  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  of  l(jO  acres,  and  now  owns  253  acres,  forty  of  which  are  tim- 
ber, all  the  result  of  his  oAvn  lalK)r  and  economy.  In  March,  1853, 
he  married  Xamy  J.  Rader,  of  Cumberland  County.  She  died  June 
19, 1855,  leaving  two  children,  viz.:  Clara  B.  and  an  infant  (deceased). 
For  his  second  wife,  on  March  12,  1857.  he  married  Sarah  A.  Reeds. 
She  died  August  29,  1881.  To  them  were  born  tAvelve  children,  six 
of  whom  are  deceased.  ]\Ir.  S.  resides  in  Hazel  Dell,  in  a  fine  house, 
with  tastefully  decorated  j^ard  and  seventeen  acres  of  land.  He  is 
actively  engaged,  with  F.  M.  Masey,  of  Jasper  County,  in  grain,  and 
stock  dealing.  He  has  always  been  ])ublic  spirited  and  generous, 
and  during  the  war  contributed  hirgcly  to  the  general  fund  for  the 
maintenance  of  widows  and  orphans.  Though  an  active  business 
man,  he  never  had  a  lawsuit. 

JONATHAN  J.  SMITH,  farmer,  was  born  November  1,  1837, 
in  Licking  County,  Ohio.  In  early  life  he  worked  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  was  given  a  good  education.  When  of  age  he  left  home, 
worked  out  by  the  month  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  when 
he  married  Harriet  Sjjri ng,  of  Licking  County,  Ohio.  They  have 
but  one  child— Charles  II.,  now  a  promising  young  man,  attending 
school  at  Carbondale,  111.     After  his  marriage,  he  engaged  in  teach- 


CKOOKKI)    CUEKK    TOWNSIUl*.  2H") 

ing  school  in  which  he  contiiuiod  for  three  yeai-s,  in  Ohio;  then  went 
to  Tennessee  two  years,  where  he  farmed  and  tauglit  school;  then 
retnrned  to  Ohio,  where  lie  remained  one  year,  coming  then  to 
Cumbcrhmd  County,  111.,  and  locating  on  the  t;irm  where  he  now 
resides.  Since  coming  to  Illinois,  both  he  and  his  wife  have  taught 
school  in  the  neighborhood  for  many  years — he  farming  in  the  sum- 
mer, and  teaching  school  in  the  winter  seasons.  lie  owns  a  fine  farm, 
which  is  well  improved.  He  is  public  spirited,  a  liberal  giver  to  all 
charitable  and  benevok'nt  institutions,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  the 
community  in  which  he  resides. 

SOLOMON  SMITH,  farmer,  came  with  his  parents,  when  thir- 
teen yeai-s  old,  from  Ohio  to  Clark  County,  111.,  in  1840,  where  the 
family  remained  five  years,  and  then  settled  in  Cumberland  County, 
111.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  hard  routine  farm  labor  until  of  age, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  Avith  his  regiment  in  all  its  battles. 
He  was  esteemed  by  officers  and  comrades  for  his  courage  and  dar- 
ing, being  frequently  detailed  to  perform  special,  responsible  duty, 
which  required  great  risk  and  good  judgment.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  home  and  gave  his  attention  to  farming,  in  which 
he  has  been  very  successful.  He  first  rented  for  six  yeai-s,  but  now 
owns  150  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and  a  beautiful  residence, 
the  result  of  his  own  energy  and  financiering.  Mr.  Smith  is  social 
and  generous,  and  in  consequence  has  many  friends,  an<l  commands 
the  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  On  January  12,  1871,  he  married 
Miss  Eliza  Carson.  They  arc  the  parents  of  two  bright,  promising 
little  girls — Bertha  and  Ethel. 

JONATHAN  O.  SPOHN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Perry  County, 
Ohio,  May  16,  1827.  In  1840  his  father  came  to  Cumberland  County 
an  1  entered  160  acres  of  land.  Our  subject,  the  oldest  of  nine  chil- 
dren, was  the  main  dependence  of  his  father  in  the  toils  and  hard- 
ships incident  to  pioneer  life,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  upon 
his  father  becoming  blpid,  the  burden  of  supporting  the  fiunily,  car- 
ing for  an  afflicted  parent,  and  the  management  of  the  farm  devolved 
upon  him,  which  duties  he  faithfully  performed  until  the  death  of 
his  father,  and  consequent  separation  of  the  family.  He  served  three 
years  in  the  late  war  of  the  Rebellion,  was  twice  wounded,  and  twice 
promoted  for  valiant  service.  On  September  11,  18;")l,he  was  mar- 
ried to  Catharine  [Shivler,  of  Ohio.  To  them  have  been  born  six 
children,  viz.:  Franklin,  Bianca  (now  Mrs.  George  Bartee),  Samuel 
(deceased),  Amanda  (deceased),  Alcina  (deceased),  and  an  infant 
(deceased). 


29()  HIOftRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAXD    COUNTY: 

CAIT.  JAMES  W.  ri{A\'IS.  fanner,  was  born  in  Decatur 
County,  Intl..  Januarv  i'2.  IMl.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Cum- 
l)erhind  County.  111.,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  In  1861,  he 
enlisted  m  Company  H,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served 
in  the  war  four  years  and  eiofht  months.  At  the  battle  of  Liberty 
Gap,  Tenn.,  after  many  inetleetual  attempts  had  been  made,  and  sev- 
eral lives  lost,  in  tryinij  to  supply  an  eui^aii-ed  regiment  with  ammu- 
nition, he  with  one  comrade  successfully  carried  it  throusfh  an  open 
field,  under  a  oalling  fire  directed  at  them,  and  distributed  it  among 
the  soldiers;  thus  saving  the  day.  He  was  a  inember  of  the  "  Legion 
of  Honor,"  and  elected  bv  his  company  to  the  successive  ranks  of 
Sergeant,  Lieutenant  and  Captain.  As  an  officer,  soldier  and  com- 
panion, he  was  lirave,  intrepid,  social,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by 
both  officers  and  men.  and  still  enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
his  few  surviving  comrades,  who  are  now  his  neighbors  and  associates. 
After  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  business  he  is  still  fol- 
lowing. He  has  a  fine  farm  of  120  acres  of  prairie  land,  and  a  large, 
fine  residence.  His  possessions  are  entirely  the  result  of  his  own 
industry  and  good  management.  On  April  26,  1866,  he  married 
Miss  Frances  A.  Rue,  of  Jasper  County.  They  have  five  children, 
viz.:     Albert  A.,  William  C,  James  C,  Bertha  M.  and  an  infant. 

JOHN  WADE  was  born  May  2,  1827.  His  first  independent 
undertaking  in  life  was  at  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  attended 
eiofht  acres  of  land  for  one  year.  Then  he  bouirht  on  credit  sixtv  of 
the  200  aci'es  of  land  he  now  owns,  and  resides  on.  This  well  tilled 
farm,  his  fine  residence,  and  the  many  improvements,  have  all  been 
accumuhited  from  active,  arduous  labor,  and  the  frugal,  judicious  use 
of  money.  Mr.  W.  has  acquired  a  fair  literary  education,  entirely  by 
home  study.  He  devoted  several  years  to  the  study  of  Theology, 
and  was  ordained  a  minister  in  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  call- 
ing he  has  been  actively  engaged  up  to  a  year  since,  when  he  retired 
owing  to  illness  in  his  family.  Such  have  been  the  benefits  of  his 
teaching  and  example,  that  their  infiuence  for  good  will  live  after 
him.  On  May  20,  1847,  he  married  Martha  Featheringill,  of  Cumber- 
land County.  They  are  parents  of  ten  children,  only  five  of  whom 
are  living,  viz.:  John  II.,  Levina  (now  Mrs.  D(>Vall ).  Delitta  II., 
Mary  PI,  amlHattie. 

SAMUEL  WELKEli.  farmer,  was  born  in  Stark  C^ounty,  Ohio, 
Miv  14,  l.s;},').  When  nine  years  old  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Cum))erland  County,  111.,  in  1844.  His  father  opened  a  farm  of  160 
acres.     At  the  time  of  his  settlement  there  were  no  neiirhbors  within 


CROOK Ko  ckkp:k  townsuii'.  297 

two  miles,  and  our  siibjoct  walked  four  luiles  to  school  for  throe  win- 
tei*s.  Church  services  wore  held  a1  rc'sidences;  assisted  in  huildino- 
the  first  church  erected  in  the  townshij),  at  Plazel  Dell,  in  l.S()2.  The 
Hi-st  school  he  attended  in  the  county  was  in  a  rude  lo_£>-structure 
Avithout  a  nail  in  it.  with  orcjised  ])aper  for  windows  and  slabs  for 
scats.  With  these  nieaiire  advanta<>-es  and  home  study,  and  close 
ai)[)licatiou.  he  a^iuinul  a  i>-()od  business  education,  as  well  as  ((uali- 
tyiughimself  as  a  teacher.  lie  taught  .school  when  eiirhteen  years 
old,  one  term;  then  farmed  until  he  was  of  age,  when  he  went  to 
carpentering  which  he  followed  for  twelve  years.  He  had  no  such 
oonveniinices  for  fine  work  as  are  now  possessed  by  the  trade;  used 
wooden  pins  in  lieu  of  nails;  went  forty-five  miles  for  building  mate- 
rial, tools,  etc.  In  domestic  needs  they  also  endured  the  hardshii)s  and 
privations  incident  to  i)ionecr  life— having  wheat  bread  but  once  a 
year,  and  until  horse-mills  were  introduced,  had  to  grate  corn  for  meal 
to  make  the  hiwul  lie  first  broke  prairie  with  five  yoke  of  oxen  and 
a  wood  plow  faced  with  steel.  His  tath(!r  introduced  the  first  steel 
l)low  in  the  township,  and  owned  the  first  saw-mill.  In  1«()1,  our 
.subject  ga\'e  his  attention  to  farming,  located  on  and  improved  the 
farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  was  an  early  Abolitionist  and 
Old-line  Whig,  and  now  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  now  Tax- 
Collector,  and  has  been  School  Trustee  and  Overseer  f)f  the  Poor;  is  au 
anh'nt  temixsrance  worker,  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
On  Janu.iry  1.  l,s<n,  he  married  Matilda  DeVall.  To  them  have 
been  born  three  chihlren.  viz.:  Mary  (deceased),  Willie  (decejised), 
and  Emma,  now  seventeen  years  old,  well  educated  and  highly  accom- 
plished in  music.  They  are  also  raising  a  bright  little  girl— Rose 
Hosier. 

WILLIAM  WLLKER  was  born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  Mjiy 
10.  1840.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  (^unberland  C^ounty,  111.,  in 
1«44;  secured  a  good  business  education  by  (lose  a[)plication  in  home 
study.  He  lived  on  a  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  yeai-s  of  age,  when 
he  conuneiiced  life  for  himself.  He  first  worked  two  years  as  a  day 
laborer;  then  learned  the  carpenters'  trade  with  his  brother  Samuel 
(whose sketch  is  elsewhere  given),  and  followed  that  trade  for  sev- 
eral years,  until  isdi.  when  he  went  to  McLean  County,  111.,  but 
returned  the  same  year,  and  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fifty-Ninth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry.  For  valiant  conduct  at  Pea  Ridge,  Ark., 
he  won  pi-omotion  to  First  Sergeant,  at  which  battle  he  was  wounded. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River.  Liberty  Gap,  Perry- 
vdh',  Pea  Ridge,  Chickamauga,  and  many  others.     He  wasa  member 


298 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — Cl'MBEKLAND    COUNTi' 


of  and  with  the  brigade  that  fought  ''  above  the  clouds  "  at  Look- 
out Mountain.  He  was  mustered  out  December  8,  1865;  returned 
to  Cumberhind  County,  111.,  and  bought  his  present  farm  of  eighty 
:icres,  which  is  well  improved,  with  a  good  house,  a  fine  orchard,  etc-r 
his  accumulations  by  personal  etlbrt.  On  April  -s,  1868,  he  married 
Annie  Yates,  of  Crooked  Creek  Township,  a  very  intelligent  and 
amiable  young  lady.  Three  children,  Leslie  L.,  Zadie  (deceased),  and 
Laura  E.,  have  been  born  to  them.  Mr.  and  Mi's.  ^Y .  are  members 
of  the  Universalist  Church,  are  generous  and  charitable,  and  held  in 
high  esteem  by  their  neighbors  and  associates. 

EGBERT  YELTON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Covington,  Ky., 
March  28,  1827.  He  began  life  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  and  on  March  21,  1850,  was  married  to  Jeannette  Jerhard,  of 
Shelby  County,  Ind.  She  has  borne  her  husband  eight  children,  viz.: 
Elias  (deceased),  Maliala,  Jeannette,  Jacob  (deceased),  Alexander 
(deceased),  Susan  (now  Mrs.  Toney),  John  (dece:ised),  Hannah 
(now  Mrs.  Stevens).  In  1S51,  they  moved  to  Jasper  County,  111., 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  thirteen  years,  when  they  came  to 
Cumberland  County,  and  bought  the  farm  where  they  now  reside. 
His  entire  property— his  farm  of  220  acres  of  productive  prairie 
land:  his  brick  residence,  and  the  many  surroimding  improvements- 
have  been  accumulated  and  built  up  by  a  life  of  indefatigable  energy 
and  frugality,  both  of  himself  and  w^ife.  In  all  his  business  relations, 
active  and  industrious,  yet  honorable,  he  has  won  the  esteem  of  all 
who  know  him. 


i^C^-_5^ 


COTTONWOOD   TOWNSHIP.  299 


COTTONWOOD   TOWNSHIP. 


DAVID  BEAL8,  thrmcr,  Avas  born  October  (>,  184(i,  in  Cum- 
berland County,  111.  He  enlisted  August  1,  18(52,  in  One  Hundred 
in  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  took  j)art 
the  battle  of  l*eny\ille,  and  received  a  shot  which  took  oil'  the  first 
joint  of  the  great  finger  of  the  left  hand.  He  contin- 
ued with  his  command  notwithstanding  his  Avound.  He  was 
under  Gen.  Buell,  and  conseciuently  traversed  the  entire  Sta,tc  of  Ken 
tucky.  From  Perryville  they  went  to  ISIunfordville,  thence  to 
Glasco,  thence  to  Castalian  S})rings,  Tenn.  The  regiment  proved 
itself  very  serviceable  at  all  these  i)oints.  At  the  latter  place,  on 
Christmas  day,  1862,  the  regiment  took  the  noted  "rabbit  hunt." 
The  regiment  would  surround  forty  acres  and  then  close  in,  some- 
times encircling  several  hundred  of  the  little  animals.  They 
returned  in  the  evening  with  more  than  1,700  rabbits,  and  it  was  not 
a  very  good  day  for  rabbits  either.  From  there  to  Horse  Shoe  Cave,. 
Ky.,  thence  to  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  where  the}'  were  mounted,  and 
then  they  scouted  the  State  of  Tennessee.  In  June,  1863,  while  mak- 
ing his  horse  jump  a  ditch,  his  gun  was  discharged  into  his  foot.  He 
never  returned  to  the  regiment.  For  fifteen  months  he  never  touched 
that  foot  to  the  ground.  He  now  draws  a  pension,  owing  to  that 
wound.  His  discharge  dates  June  30, 1865.  He  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1865,  to  ]Mary  E.  Coleman,  of  Coles  Comity.  These  par- 
ents have  nine  children,  viz.:  Sarah  C,  Minnie  L.,  Lorin  E.,  Phi- 
l}nicy,  Ida  B.,  William  A.,  Eddie  A.,  Simon  N.,  and  Viola.  Sarah  C 
died  July  13,  1«7(),  in  her  fifth  year;  Minnie  L.  died  December  13, 
1870,  in  her  second  year;  Eddie  A.  died  August  23,  18()U,  in  infancy. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  have  both  been  members  of  the  C.  P.  Church  for 
more  than  eighteen  years.  Mr.  B.  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  numbered  among  the  first- 
class  men  of  the  county. 

SiJiON  O.  Beals,  farmer  and  broom-maker,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 1(),  1844,  in  Coles  (now  Cumberland)  County,  111.  He 
was  born  and  raised  in  the  same  house.  His  parents  are  Levi 
and  Catharine  A.  Beals,  the  former  from  Ohio,  the  latter  from 
Kentucky.  The  father  was  minist<'r,  farmer,  teacher  and  shoe- 
maker. He  was  a  regularly  ordained  minister  of  the  C.  P. 
Church,  and  preached  in  the  Beals  neighboriiood  at  the  followine 


18 


300  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

places:  Goose  Nest,  Pleasautville,  Cottonwood,    AToo(ll)uiy,    Para- 
dise and  Dionia.     He  owned  200  acres  of  laud  when  he  died,  and  wa8 
a  well-to-do  farmer.     He  taught  subscription  schools  in  a  number  of 
places  in  different  neiijhborhoods.      He  was  very  successful  as  a 
teacher.     He  was  considered  an  expert  in  those  days   in  making  a 
o-ood,  neat  fitting  boot  or  shoe.     His  death  occurred  September  10, 
1854,  in  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  his  age.     His  wife  is  still  living  on 
the  same  farm  to  which  they  came  after  their  marriage,  forty-seven 
years  ago.     These  parents  had  eight  cliildren,  six  of  whom  are  now 
livinir-     Susan,  the  oldest,  died  a  few  days  before  the  father,  at  the 
ao-e  of  seventeen.     Matilda  J.  died  in  ].s4(j,  at  the  age  of  four  years. 
His   widow   married   Rev.  Samuel  Landers,  by  whom  she   had  two 
children.       He   has   been  a   minister   of  the   Methodist   Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  was  a  missionary  preaching  to  the  slaves  in  Ken- 
tucky.    Later,  he  joined  the  C.   P.  Church,  and   preached   about 
twenty-six  years.     He  died  in  1880.     He  was  a  private  in  the  war  of 
1812.     His  widow  now  draws  a  pension  for  services  he  rendered  in  that 
war.     Simon  O.,  the  fourth  of  the  children,  and  our  subject,  attended 
school  with  a  good  degree  of  punctuality  until  his  father's  death.     At 
the  age  of  eight  years  he  made  two  pairs  of  shoes  from  scraps.     They 
were  neat  and  nice.     One  pair  exactly  fitted  the  lady  who  is  now  his 
wife,  and  the  other  pair  a  younger  brother.     The  remuneration  for 
the  two  pair  of  shoes  was  four  and  one  half  pounds  of  sugar,  which 
was  exactly  the  price  asked.     From   his  twelfth  to  his  eighteenth 
year  he  worked  at  carpentering  and  farming.     He  enlisted  August  6, 
1862,   in  the  One   Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.     He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  was  charging 
on  the  Kebs  when  a  flinder  of  shell  struck  him  on  the  head,  knocking 
him  senseless.     He  fell  and  lay,  he  does  not  know  liow  long.     When 
he  was  restored  to  consciousness  he  was  confronted  by  a  Texan  Ran- 
ger, demanding  that  he  "march."     This  was  a  physical  impossibility, 
and  so  thought  the  T.  R.     The  latter  dismounted,  threw  him  on  his 
horse  behind  the  saddle,  then  mounting  himself,  they  were  soon  mov- 
ing to  the  rear  at  full  speed.     After  reaching  the  rear,  for  three 
days  and  nights  they  gave  him  no  food.     He  was  then  at  the  court 
house  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.;  at  the  end  of  that  time  they  comi)elled 
him  to  inarch  thirty  miles,  which  he  did  before  receiving  any  food 
He  was  then  transferred  to  Benton  Barracks  Parole  Camp,  at  Saint 
Louis.     He  was  absent  from  the  command  about  five  months,  and  at 
home  about  four  months  of  this  time.     He  then  returned  to  his  com- 
mand.    The  next  engagement  in  which  he  took  part  was  at  Milton, 


COTTOXWOOD   TOWNSHIP.  301 

Tenn.  Ho  returned  home  on  a  furlough  in  February,  1864,  and  was 
married  February  29,  to  Sarah  M.  Bresee.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
E.  D.  and  F.  (lla\s)  Bresee,  of  this  county.  Mr.  Beals  returned  to 
the  army  soon  after  marriage,  ])ut  was  not  able  for  field  duty  after 
May,  1863.  His  discharge  dates  March  27,  1865.  During  his  sick- 
ness he  was  in  Armor}-  S(|uarc  Hospital.  Dr.  D.  W.  Bliss,  one  of 
President  GarrickVs  physicians,  was  the  surgeon  in  charge.  His 
siir»!iture  is  on  Mr.  Beals'  discharge.  Later,  ho  returned  home  and 
engaged  in  farming  and  broom-making,  in  both  of  which  occupations 
he  has  been  reasonably  successful.  He  is  honored  and  respected  as 
one  of  the  responsible  citizens  of  the  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B. 
were  born  five  children,  viz.:  Stella  B.,  Perry,  Arthur  N.,  Leonard 
C.,  and  Erva  E.  Perry  died  in  infancy..  Both  parents  are  members 
of  the  G  P.  Church.  The  former  has  been  an  elder  in  the  church 
for  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  also  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

REUBEN  BLOOMFIELD,  farmer  and  merchant,  was  born 
July  11,  A.  D.  1819,  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  his  father  and 
mother,  Robert  Bloomficld  and  Mary  Lewis,  were  married  in  1818. 
In  the  spring  of  1821  they  moved  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  which 
was  but  sparsely  settled  with  the  whites.  Living  there  some  six 
years,  they  moved  to  Edgar  County.  They  had  two  children — Reu- 
ben and  Mahala.  It  was  here  where  Reuben  got  his  education, 
attendinfr  school  in  the  log  schoolhouse.  Heorained  a  fair  education 
and  tauiiht  school  in  the  neiijliborliood  whore  he  was  raised  some 
five  years.  Rouben  was  married  to  Eliza  Jane  McBride,  daughter  of 
Charles  McBride,  who  moved  with  his  family  some  year  or  two  pre- 
vious, from  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  and  settled  on  Big  Creek,  in  Edgar 
County,  111.  Reuben,  after  he  was  married  some  three  or  four  years, 
moved  to  Clark  County,  111.,  living  in  ^Marshall,  the  county-seat  of 
Clark,  whore  his  wife,  Eliza  Jane,  died,  October  1,  1852.  By  her 
he  had  six  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Martha  P.  and 
George  D.  lived  till  they  grew  to  be  men  and  women.  Reuben,  after 
the  death  of  his  wife,  went  to  live  with  his  father  and  mother,  who 
were  then  living  in  Auburn,  Clark  Co.,  111.,  where  he  remained  until 
the  October  following,  when  he  moved  to  Greenup,  the  then  county- 
seat  of  Cumberland  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness, and  in  the  meantime  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  said  place. 
He  then  married,  for  his  second  Avife,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Beck,  the 
widow  of  William  Beck,  late  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  daughter  of 
Abner  Goodwin,  who  resided  and  died  in  Mill  Grove,  Owen  Co., 


302  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Ind.  Having  a  brother,  Dr.  T.  H.  Goodwin,  who  was  well  and 
favorably  known  in  this  connty,  living  in  Greenup,  111.,  she  was 
induced,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  to  move  to  this  county,  and 
bought  land  and  settled  in  Cottonwood  Township,  where  Reuben 
and  Charlotte  were  married,  on  the  11th  of  October,  1858.  He,  with 
his  two  children,  Martha  and  George  D.,  and  her  two,  William  and 
Melissa,  commenced  life  anew,  with  but  a  small  share  of  this  world's 
STOods,  but  with  a  determination  to  succeed.  Thev  have  had  four 
children,  two  daughters  and  a  son,  viz.:  Odessa,  their  first 
born,  dying  in  intancy;  Nevada,  Sonora  and  Robert  G.,  still  liv- 
ing. Nevada  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  A^';lrne,  an  attorney  of 
Toledo,  111.  Sonora  is  the  wife  of  AVillis  R.  Clark,  all  of 
Cumberland  County.  Robert  G.,  his  youngest  child  and  son,  is 
now  twentv-three  years  of  n^e,  and  a  vounir  man  of  considerable 
promise.  He  is  now  attending  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago, 
with  a  prospect  of  graduating  at  the  close  of  the  session  for  1883-84. 
William  and  Melissa  Beck  are  still  livino^,  AVilliam  is  living  in 
Washington  Territory,  single,  and  in  easy  circumstances.  Robert 
Scott,  and  his  wife  Melissa,  are  living  in  this  township,  and  are  in 
good  circumstances.  Martha,  his  daughter,  married  Joseph  Scott, 
and  died  shortly  after  she  was  married.  George  D.,  his  only  child  liv- 
ing by  his  first  wife,  lives  in  Toledo,  having  married  ]\Iartlia  A.  Ross, 
of  that  place.  Reuben  lived  here  some  three  years  and  a  half.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Greenup,  the  coimty-seat  agitation  took  place, 
which  resulted  in  its  removal  from  Greenup  to  Prairie  City.  In  this 
contest  Reuben  took  the  stand  that  the  county-seat  should  remain  at 
Greenup;  but  after  a  bitter  contest  Avas  beaten.  Soon  after  he  moved 
to  his  farm  in  Cottonwood  Township,  where  he  Avorked  and  opened 
an  extensive  farm  with  his  own  hands.  Durinsf  this  time  he 
filled  various  offices  of  trust,  such  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Supervisor  of  his  township.  In  18G5  he  was  elected  County 
Judge  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  at  the  next  electiou,  which  took 
place  in  November,  186(3,  was  nominated  for  the  same  office  by 
the  Democratic  party  and  was  elected  by  something  over  100 
votes.  At  the  close  of  this  term  he  was  re-nominated  and 
re-elected,  holding  the  office  for  four  years,  at  the  close  of 
which  he  chose  to  retire  to  ])rivate  life.  Buying  an  interest 
in  the  drug  store  of  I.  &  J.  II.  Yanaway,  he  engaged  in  the 
drug  trade,  in  which  l)usiness  he  remained  for  some  three  veal's, 
being  (juite  successful  iu  business.  He  dissolved  partnership  with 
his  partner,  Israel  Yanaway,  and  bought  out  J.  II.    ^Morgan,    who 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSIIII'.  303 

was  cairvinfr  on  a  ijouoral  mercantile  business  in  Prairie  City,  now 
Toledo,  where  he  remained  si'llinir  Gfoofls  some  nine  or  ten  years, 
durinir  which  time  he  did  an  extensive  l)nsiness.  In  the  fall  of  1874 
he  was  nominated  by  the  Independent  party  for  Stiite  Senator,  with- 
out anv  solicitation  on  his  part,  receivinii-  a  larire  and  creditable  vote. 
Selling  out  his  store,  he  asfain  returned  to  private  life.  But  being 
of  an  energetic  and  industrious  nature,  he  could  not  remain  long 
idle,  so  the  next  spring  he  again  went  into  business  with  II.  Rhoads, 
of  Toledo,  engaging  in  the  hardware  trade,  in  which  business  he 
continued  for  some  two  years.  Not  liking  the  hardware  business,  he 
dissolved  with  his  partner  and  moved  back  to  his  farm,  in  Cotton- 
wood Township,  where  he  has  built  an  extensive  store-room,  and 
filled  it  with  such  goods  as  are  suitable  to  the  farm,  and  such  as  the 
firmer  needs,  where  he  has  had  a  post-office  established  called  Brad- 
bury, of  which  he  is  Postmaster.  He  has  built  one  of  the  neatest 
residences  for  himself  that  is  in  the  county,  where  he  expects  to 
remain  and  end  his  days,  now  being  past  sixty-four  years  of  age. 

JA]\IES  A.  CARRELL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born 
November  9,  1841  (forty-two  years  ago  this  day),  in  Morgan  County, 
Ind.  His  parents  are  John  H.  and  Catherine  E.  (Laughlin)  Carrell, 
the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Indiana.  The  father 
was  a  farmer,  a  member  with  his  wife  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
in  politics  a  Democrat.  He  is  living  at  present  with  his  son  James; 
is  in  a  helpless  condition;  liis  age,  sixty-five.  The  mother  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  sixty.  These  parents  had  fifteen  children,  five 
of  whom  are  now  living-.  James  A.  made  his  father's  house  his  home 
until  he  was  twenty-one.  The  following  five  years  he  spent  in  trav- 
eling; was  in  Missouri,  Nebraska,  Iowa,  Colorado,  Arkansas,  etc. 
He  was  married  in  Septem])er,  18()(i,  to  Sarah  A.  Heddins,  of  this 
county.  At  this  time  he  owned  no  land,  but  farmed  near  where  he 
now  lives.  He  bought  a  small  farm  of  twenty  acres  in  18()9,  and 
has  been  adding  since,  until  he  now  owns  100  acres  of  good  land. 
He  has  been  quite  successful,  all  things  considered,  in  his  business 
relations.  .In  1874  he  was  elected  Collector  of  this  township.  He 
served  as  Conmiissioner  of  Highways  the  three  years  following.  He 
is  at  present  Supervisor  of  his  township.  All  the  above  offices  he 
filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituency.  He  is  classed  among 
the  res])onsible,  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county.  By  his  first  wife 
he  had  five  children — Thomas  C.,  Luther  F.,  Eleazer  O-,  Parmelia  J. 
and  Edwin  I.  Thomas  C.  died  at  the  age  of  nine  months,  in  1868. 
Eleazer  died  in  is  7.'),  at  the  age  of  four  years.     Mrs.  C.  died  July  29, 


304  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

1876,  at  the  asa  of  thirty-four  years.  Mr.  C.  married,  for  his  second 
wife,  Hepsy  J.  Starbuck,  of  this  county.  Their  children  are 
Letha,  wlio  died  in  infancy;  Ross  and  Horra  M.  Mr.  C.  is  a  member 
of  the  K.  of  H.,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  A.  DOYAL,  retired  farmer,  was  born  June  13, 
1824,  in  Crawford  County,  111.  His  parents  are  Iluirh  and  Rachel 
(Eaton)  Doyal,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  mother  of  South 
Carolina.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and*  plasterer,  having  done  the 
first  ])lasterino:  that  was  done  in  Charleston,  Coles  County,  111.;  also 
cut  the  tirst  timber  that  was  cut  otF  the  site  where  that  town  now 
stands.  He  died  about  the  year  1852.  The  mother  is  still  livinir,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  These  parents  had  eighteen  chil- 
dren, only  seven  of  whom  are  now  living.  Our  subject  came  with 
his  parents  from  Crawford  County  to  Clark  County,  where  they 
remained  but  a  short  time,  and  then  came  to  Coles  County.  The 
county  was  very  new  then,  as  this  was  in  1828.  The  nearest  neighbor 
was  three  miles,  and  the  next  nearest  three  and  one-half  miles  away. 
At  that  time,  our  subject  states,  they  had  no  house.  They  lived  in 
the  woods  until  a  cabin  was  built.  The  Indians  had  wigwams 
within  a  mile  of  their  cabin.  They  made  frequent  visits  to 
Mr.  Doyal's  cabin,  but  would  leave  their  weapons  on  the  outside. 
Our  subject's  maternal  grandfather  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
in  Crawford  County,  111.  After  a  few  years,  the  father  bought 
an  old  blind  mare,  and  with  her  they  jjlanted  and  attended  a 
crop.  From  her  they  raised  a  colt,  and  then  another.  The  first  team 
he  owned  came  from  those  colts.  In  this  fast  age  that  would  seem 
a  very  slow  way,  but  it  is  a  very  sure  way,  as  our  subject  can  testify .^ 
They  made  a  sled,  put  on  a  box,  and  our  subject  rode  that  old  mare, 
she  pulling  the  sled,  the  box  tilled  with  eggs,  poultry,  butter,  and 
such  other  commodities  as  they  had  to  spare,  to  the  nearest  market. 
In  this  way  the  family  was  sui)ported.  The  mill  was  so  far  away 
that  it  took  three  days  to  go  and  return  with  the  grist.  In  winter, 
many  times  they  would  boil  the  corn  and  grate  it  through  a  grater, 
improvised  by  their  own  hands  with  tin  and  an  awl  punch.  It  was 
many  years  before  they  had  a  mill  within  a  few  miles.  From  this 
mode  of  procedure,  we  can  learn  of  the  hardshi[)s  and  deprivations 
endured  by  the  pioneers  in  the  western  wilds  of  the  great  State  of 
Illinois.  Mr.  Doyal  bought  120  acres,  where  he  now  lives,  in  the 
fall  of  1852.  He  went  to  California  via  the  overland  route,  in  1850. 
The  trip  lasted  from  the  istli  of  March  to  the  27th  of  August. 
There  were  103  men  started  on  that  trip  from  Saint  Joseph,  Mo^ 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSHIP.  305 

Several  died  on  the  way.  Mr.  D.  teamed  tor  several  months,  and 
then  went  to  minincr,  with  tolerable  success;  made  enoufjh  to  l)uy 
the  above  farm  on  his  return.  He  returned  in  the  fall  of  l^o\,  by 
wat€r.  They  encountered  a  storm,  which  was  the  most  impressive 
siofht  he  ever  saw.  Some  were  praying,  some  drinking,  others  i)hiy- 
ing  cards  and  making  light  of  what,  to  many,  was  a  very  serious  mat- 
ter. They  tore  out  the  inside  of  the  vessel  to  make  steiim,  that  they 
might  land  at  Savannah.  He  "batched"  for  one  3'ear,  and  raised  his 
first  cro[).  He  was  married  Fe])riiary  20,  1.S58,  to  Rebecca  McCord, 
of  Coles  County.  Ezra  L.,  Cordelia,  Richard  E.,  an  infant,  Riichel 
E.,  and  James  H.  are  their  children.  Ezra  L.  married  Sallie  Clem, 
of  this  county;  Cordelia  was  the  wife  of  R.  R.  Wood,  of  ^loultrie 
County.  Their  children  are:  William  C,  and  an  infant,  unnamed^ 
Her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  twenty-four.  Rachel  was  the  wife 
of  George  W-  Light,  of  this  county.  Her  deatli  occurred  April  7, 
1888,  in  her  twenty-fourth  year.  James  H.  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
September  7,  1881.  Mrs.  (McCord)  Doyal  died  August  25,  1.S74,  at 
the  age  of  about  forty-five  years.  ]\[r.  Doyal  was  next  married 
on  June  23,  187'),  to  Jane  McCord,  of  this  county.  He  has  been 
quite  successful  in  business.  He  is  nicely  located,  in  Section  28  ; 
has  a  pleasant,  happy  home,  and  owns  25(j  acres  of  well 
improved  land.  He  is  numbered  among  the  responsible,  honest  pio- 
neer settlers  of  this  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Advent 
Church,  as  is  also  his  wife.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

ALOXZO  GRAFTOX,  farmer  and  teacher,  was  born  October  5, 
1839,  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio.  His  parents  are  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Weaver)  Grafton,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  is  a, 
farmer  and  carpenter,  and  is  still  living,  near  Olney,  111.  The  mother 
died  May  2,  1877,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two.  Both  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They  had  seven  children, 
three  of  whom  are  now  living.  Our  sul)ject  had  good  school  advan- 
tages. Going  to  school,  farming  and  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
were  his  youthful  employments.  He  was  married  February  14,  18(51, 
to  Sallie  Heath,  of  Lo^-an  Countv,  Ohio.  She  is  the  dausrhter  of 
Henry  and  Corinda  Heath,  now  of  Charleston,  Coles  County,  111. 
He  enlisted  August  8,  1«()2,  in  the  Forty-Fifth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry.  They  were  for  about  one  year  mounted  infantiy.  Mr.  G. 
was  on  detached  duty  for  about  eight  months  after  enlisting.  He 
took  part  in  many  battles,  first  in  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  at  Resaca, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  all  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign.    He  never  missed  any;  then  came  with  Thomas  to  Fi-anklin, 


306  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTT: 

which  was  as  hard  a  fought  battle  as  he  ever  was  in;  thence  in  a  two 
days  battle  at  Nashville,  which  drove  Hood  across  the  Tennessee 
River;  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Huntsville,  thence  through 
East  Tennessee,  where  they  w(n"e  when  the  war  closed-  His  dis- 
charge dates  June,  1865.  He  served  three  years  lacking  two  months. 
He  never  had  any  sickness,  never  had  a  woinid  Avorth  mentioning. 
He  went  in  as  private,  served  two  years  as  orderly,  and  returned 
Second-Lieutenant.  He  was  with  the  command  all  the  time  except 
while  on  detached  duty;  never  was  a  prisoner;  never  had  a  furlough; 
in  short,  he  was  remarkably  fortunate.  On  returning,  in  IbO,"),  he 
•came  to  where  he  now  lives,  in  Section  32,  and  has  been  here 
ever  since.  He  has  been  engaged  in  teaching  every  winter  since,  save 
one.  Has  tauo^ht  seven  terms  in  his  home  district.  No  one  in  the 
county,  perhaps,  has  a  better  record  as  teacher.  He  does  a  good 
share  of  other  business,  such  as  farming,  teaching  music,  carpenter- 
ing-, etc.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  were  born  six  children:  Carrie  B.. 
Mary  C.,  James  T.,  John  K.,  Musa  M.,  and  Harry  B.  James  T.  died 
April  3,  1867,  at  the  age  of  nine  months.  Carrie  B.  is  the  wife  of 
William  Judson,  of  tliis  county,  mamed  December  22,  1881.  ]\Irs. 
G.  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics,  Mr. 
O.  is  Kepublican. 

JOHN  IIEDDINS,  farmer,  was  born  April  11,  ls21,  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ohio.  His  parents  are  Isaiah  and  Siloma  Ileddins. 
The  father  was  a  farmer,  a  volunteer  in  the  Avar  of  1812,  and  the  son 
of  a  Revolutionarv  soldier.  Isaiah  died  about  the  year  1865.  He 
and  wife  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  mother  Avas  born  and  raised  in  the  edge  of  New  York  State, 
married  in  Ohio,  and  is  noAV  living,  at  the  age  of  eighty,  in  Coles 
County,  111.  These  parents  had  eleven  boys  and  two  girls,  four  ot 
whom  are  yet  liA'ing.  John,  our  subject,  AA'as  raised  on  the  farm. 
He  had  fair  schooling  for  those  days.  He  worked  for  his  father  until 
he  Avas  twenty-one,  being  the  oldest  of  the  family;  obedient  and 
industrious,  he  av as  very  serviceable  to  his  father,  AvhoAvas  an  invalid. 
He  Avas  married  April  18, 1842,  to  Catherine  Carpenter,  of  Delaware 
County,  Ohio.  He  stayed  in  DelaAvare  County,  and  rented  for  tAvo 
years,  Avhen  he  bought  a  good  team  and  Avagon,  and  started  for  the 
West.  He  landed  in  Cuml)erland  County,  September  29,  1844,  and 
has  been  here  ever  since.  On  arriving,  $45,  one  team  and  Avagon, 
wife  and  baby,  Avere  all  his  earthl}''  possessions.  The  team  and 
Avagon,  valued  at  $130,  he  traded  for  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  has 
been  adding  to  that  until  he  noAV  oAvns  250  acres.     He  has  been  very 


COTTONWOOD   TOWNSHIP.  307 

successful  iu  business,  and  is  counted  among  the  best  farmers  in  the 
county.  He  is  a  pioneer  resident,  and  few  i)ersons  in  the  county  are 
deserving  of  more  raspect  than  he  is.  Terre  Haute,  in  those  days, 
was  the  place  of  market.  In  184.5,  Mr.  H.  took  five  dozen  of  nice 
young  chickens  to  market.  The  tirst  dozen  he  sohl  for  seventy-five 
cents.  He  worki'd  all  day  selling  the  other  four  dozen,  dribl)ing  the 
Jast  twenty-four  out  at  the  rate  of  thirty-seven  and  one-half  cents 
per  dozen.  On  coming  home,  he  told  his  wife  he  was  disgusted  with 
the  chicken  peddling  business.  He  has  never  been  there  with  a 
chicken  since.  His  children  are:  Sarah  A.,  Isaiah,  Mary  J.  and  Eme- 
line.  The  rest  died  under  three  years  of  age.  Sarah  A.  was  the  wife 
of  James  A.  Carrell,  elsewhere  mentioned.  Isaiah  married  Mary  A. 
Fletcher,  of  this  comity,  Decenil)er  24,  1876.  Their  children  are: 
Charles  M.  and  George  E.  Isaiah,  the  father,  is  the  only  one  of  his 
father's  children  living.  He  lives  with  his  father  on  the  home  place, 
Section  11,  Township  10,  Range  9.  Mary  J.  was  the  wife  of  Paris  G. 
Carrell,  of  this  county.  Her  death  occurred  ^Nlarch  17,  1878,  aged 
twenty-nine  years.  Her  children  are:  Ida  C-  and  John  W.  Emeline 
died  at  the  ago  of  eight  years.  Thus  we  see  that  of  a  large  fimiily, 
the  father  and  son  are  all  that  are  left.  Mrs.  Heddins,  the  mother, 
died  November  1,  1878,  aged  fifty-four  years.  In  politics,  Mr.  H.  is 
a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  E.  LAKE,  farmer  and  teacher,  was  born  in  Ben- 
nington County,  Vt.,  September  27,  1834.  His  parents  are  Elisha 
and  Prudence  (Holmes)  Lake,  the  father  a  native  of  Rhode  Island, 
the  mother  of  Connecticut.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  teacher, 
having  taught  twenty-one  years.  He  died  in  18.57,  aged  fifty-three. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  his  State  for  two  t(n'ms,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  State.  In  politics,  he  w^as  a 
Democrat.  The  mother  is  still  living,  in  Lake  County,  this  State, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-seven.  She  is  a  member  of  the  liap- 
tist  Church.  William  E.  had  good  school  advantages.  He  landed, 
with  his  parents,  at  Waukegan,  111.,  the  day  he  was  twelve  years  of 
age.  He  attended  school  and  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father 
until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  and  attended 
an  academy  at  Wauconda,  III.  He  remained  in  Lake  County  until 
18.57,  when  he  packed  his  trunk  and  came  to  this  county,  in 
search  of  a  school.  His  first  school  was  taught  near  the  town 
of  Xeoga.  He  attended  school  the  summer  of  18,58,  and  taught 
again  in  tiie  winter  of  l.S.58-:)l».  He  was  married  June  3,  18(iO,  to 
Henrietta  Kemper,  of  this  county.     Teaching  was  his  occupation  the 


308  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

folIoAvinor  three  years.  In  1863,  he  was  elected  County  Superintend- 
ent of  Schools  of  Cumberland  County,  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 
He  was  re-elected  in  18(55,  and  asrain  in  1869,  his  term  expirino^  in 
1873,  makinir  ten  years  of  continued  service  as  County  Superintend- 
ent. His  m:iJority  at  each  election  was  very  large,  one  township, 
Cottonwood,  casting  its  entire  vote  for  him,  irrespective  of  party,  at 
the  first  election.  In  this  township  he  had  formerly  served  as  Clerk* 
and  was  well  known  to  all  who  favored  him  with  their  votes.  He 
continued  teaching  and  farming  until  1881,  when  he  was  appointed 
by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  fill  the  vacancy  (caused  by  a  change  in 
the  State  Constitution)  of  County  Superintendent  of  Schools.  This 
term  expired  December  1,  18<s2.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  has  filled 
the  ofiice  of  Coimty  Superintendent  for  eleven  years,  and  has  had 
much  to  do  with  shaping  the  educational  affairs  of  his  county,  which 
speaks  -well  for  the  appreciation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  con- 
stituenc}'.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  and,  as  a 
farmer,  is  classed  among  the  respectable  and  responsible.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lake  have  been  born  eight  children,  viz.:  George  M.,  Ida  A., 
Charles  H,  Lula,  Albert,  AVarren,  Hattie,  and  William  ]M.  Warren 
died  at  the  as^e  of  eisrht  months.  Ida  A.  is  ensrao-ed  in  teaching  her 
third  term,  and  o-ives  orood  satisfaction.  The  rest  of  the  children  are 
living  with  their  parents.  Both  parents  are  members  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  Church.  Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  being 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  Prairie  City  Lodge,  No.  .578.  In  pol- 
itics, he  is  a  Democrat.  Mr.  L.  is  still  engaged  in  teachinof.  He  is 
now  teachinir  in  the  same  district  where  he  taught  twentv-three 
years  ago.  He  has  a  very  pleasant  school,  and  in  all  his  experience 
as  a  teacher  he  never  applied  for  a  school,  since  his  first  school  in  1857. 
WILLIAM  R.  McCANDLISH,  farmer  and  tile  manufacturer, 
was  born  April  8, 1847,  in  Perry  County,  Ohio.  His  parents  are  Will- 
iam B.  and  Rebecca  (Ross)  McCandlish,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  The 
father  was  farmer  and  the  cabinet-nuiker  of  the  county.  His  denth 
occurred  in  1849.  He  and  wife  were  meml)ei-s  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.  The  mother  died  in  1875, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-five.  These  parents  had  five  children:  Jane,  James 
A.,  Nancy,  George  and  William.  They  are  all  living.  James  A.  was 
the  first  Republican  Sheriff  ever  elected  in  this  county.  He  served 
three  terms.  William  R.  Avas  engaged  in  his  youthful  days  attending 
school  in  the  winter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  the  sununer.  He 
came  West  in  bSiiii.  II<' followed  shipping  poultry  at  first.  Later, 
shipping  stock  East  engaged  his  attention.    He  began  farming  twelve 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSHIP.  30^ 

years  aofo,  and  it  has  been  attended  with  very  fair  success.  He  now 
owns  130  acres,  120  of  which  is  improved  hind.  He  is  classed  among 
the  res[)onsible,  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county-  April,  1883,  he 
engai^od  in  the  tile  business.  He  now  owns  one  of  the  three  tile  factories 
in  the  county-  He  has  a  lot  of  irood,  first-class  tile  ready  for  sale.  His 
business  outlook  is  very  flattering.  He  was  married  Ajjril  8,  1873, 
to  Emma  Holsapple,  of  this  county,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Their 
children  are,  Le  Roy,  Minnie  B.,  Owen  R.,  Luke  A.  and  Edna  C. 
Le  Roy  died  December  1,  187G,  aged  two  years.  Mrs.  McCandlish  i» 
a  memlx'r  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ('hurch.  Mr.  McCandlish  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  politically  a  Republican. 

BAXTER  W.  Mcpherson  was  bom'  in  Allegheny  County, 
Penn.,  June  21, 1851-  His  parents  are  Wright  and  Catherine  McPher- 
son,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Delaware.  These 
parents  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  and  married* 
They  celebrated  their  golden  wedding,  October  2S,  18S3.  These 
parents  are  now  living  in  Neoga  Township,  this  county,  and  are  hav- 
ing as  good  health  as  could  be  expected  in  those  of  their  age.  The 
father  is  a  farmer.  His  sons  Isaac  and  George  served  in  the  late  war. 
The  mother  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Baxter 
W.  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  18()5,  and  helped  his  father 
improve  a  farm  of  L5(j  acres.  He  met  with  an  accident  at  the  age  of 
eiirhteen,  by  which  he  lost  his  le"-.  He  was  cuttino-  corn  in  Montfrom- 
ery  County,  and  cut  his  knee  with  the  corn-knife.  It  began  bleeding 
about  eight  hours  after,  and  great  })ain  was  caused  therefrom.  He 
came  on  the  train  the  next  day  with  his  brother-in-law,  J.  F.  Smith, 
to  Mattoon,  and  remained  there  a  week  under  care  of  Dr.  ^Morris.  He 
then  came  home  and  was  suffering  terribly.  He  was  attended  then 
by  Dr.  Richardson  and  brother;  later,  Drs.  Mason  and  Byers  were 
called  in.  Twenty  days  after  the  accident,  November  10,  18(59,  his 
right  leg  was  amputated  six  inches  below  the  body.  They  began  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening  to  give  him  chloroform,  and  it  was  near 
eleven  o'clock  the  next  day  before  the  work  was  completed.  He  was 
so  reduced  in  flesh,  and  so  weak,  they  had  to  use  the  greatest  care. 
He  began  going  about,  the  middle  of  the  following  January.  He  sat 
up  in  bed  on  New  Year's  day,  at  the  infair  of  his  brother  Isaac.  In  the 
spring  he  bought  a  team,  hired  a  hand,  and  farmed  thirty  acres  of  corn 
and  twenty  of  oats.  He  has  farmed  several  seasons  since  that,  by  him- 
self, using  the  sulky  ])low.  He  was  very  successful  in  farming.  He 
attended  school,  and  later  the  Normal  School,  and  has  taught  every 
winter  and  three  summers,  from  1871  until  1881.     He  attended  the 


310  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Normal  School  and  academy  several  terms  during  that  time.  He  had 
o-ood  success  as  a  teacher,  as  hundreds  who  are  his  pupils  and  patrons 
can  testify.  His  services  as  teacher  are  in  jrood  demand  even  yet.  He 
has  been  enirao-ed  in  the  insurance  business  the  past  five  years,  and 
has  had  very  ffood  success  at  that  also.  Mr.  ;McPherson,  notwith- 
standino-  his  crippled  condition,  is  a  man  of  wonderful  activity,  and 
has  the  eternal  grit  and  gimp  to  make  a  success  of  any  business  he 
undertakes.  He  is  reckoned  among  the  good,  responsible,  and  well- 
to-do  citizens  of  the  county.  He  represents  the  following  first-class 
insurance  companies,  viz.:  The  Phoenix,  of  Brooklyn,  The  Rockford, 
of  Rockford,  The  American,  of  Chicago,  The  Boston  Underwriters', 
and  the  Fire  Association  of  London.  He  does  a  good  business,  and  is 
worthy  of  the  patronage  of  his  community,  being  in  every  way  respon- 
sible. He  was  married  February  20,  lcS7(),  to  Annette  Jones,  of  this 
county.  Two  children,Clara  and  ]\Iercy,  have  blessed  this  union.  Clara 
died  October  1, 1882,  aged  six  years.  She  was  a  most  promising  child, 
beinsT  able  to  read  intelligently  in  the  advance  readers.  Both  parents 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  ^Mr.  ;McPherson  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 

DAVID  ^IICHAEL,  farmer,  was  born  Januaiy  8,  1818,  in  Davie 
County,  N.  C  His  parents  are  David  and  Eva  B.  (Shut)  Michael, 
both  natives  of  Korth  Carolina,  and  of  German  descent.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  and  died  in  18()2,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  He  was 
a  private  in  the  war  of  1812.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  The  mother  died  in  18(j(;,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
They  came  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee;  there  they  remained 
several  years,  thence  to  Indiana,  later  to  Illinois,  where  they  arrived 
nearly  sixty  years  ago.  They  landed  in  Coles,  and  later  moved  to 
Cumberland  County.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Coles 
County.  In  politics  he  was  a  AVhig,  later  a  Republican  Avho  favored  a 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war.  They  had  eleven  children,  only  seven 
of  whom  are  now  living.  David,  the  fifth  of  the  children,  came  with 
his  parents  to  Illinois  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  Schools  were  of  the 
sul)scription  kind  in  those  days,  and  his  father  being  a  poor  man,  it 
is  easy  to  see  that  his  school  advantages  were  what  would  be  called 
very  poor  in  these  days  of  free  schools.  On  arriving,  his  father  had 
one  dollar  in  money,  one  cart,  a  yoke  of  small  cattle,  and  bed  cloth 
ing  as  mucli  as  coidd  ])e  carried  under  a  man's  arm.  His  father  on 
arriving,  worked  for  one  half  bushel  of  corn  a  day,  and  his  son  received 
a  peck.  David  has  cradled  grain  all  day  for  thirty-seven  and  a  half 
cents,  and  at  other  times  has  bound  after  a  cradle  an  entire  day  for 


COTTONWOOD   TOWNISHIP.  311 

the  samo  amount.  Tho  father  Iwiiijlit  forty  acres  of  hind  and  paid  for 
it  largely  in  making  rails  at  twenty  cents  per  hundred.  He  entered 
forty  acres  in  Cumberland  after  selling  his  forty  aci-Gs  in  Coles  County. 
David,  our  subject,  was  married  in  1842,  to  Lucy  Alexander,  of  Ken- 
tucky. Tliey  had  twenty  children,  only  six  of  whom  are  now  living, 
viz.:  David  A.,  Bar])ara  E.,  Charles  W.,  Martha  J.,  Isaac  A.  and 
Mary  L.  The  mother  died  Xo\  end)er  9,  187(5,  at  the  age  of  fifty.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  ]M.'s  second  marriage 
was  to  Mary  Oakley,  of  Kentucky.  She  had  five  children  by 
a  former  husband.  Pleasant  Oakley.  She  died  April  27,  1879.  His 
third  marriage  occurred  December  27,  1879,  to  Jane  Hays,  of  this 
county,  but  a  native  of  Ohio.  She  had  two  children  by  a  former  hus- 
band, William  Hays.  James  M.  :ind  Catharine  F.  are  their  names. 
Mr.  i\I.  has  been  reasonably  successful  in  business,  having  raised  a  large 
family,  and  now  owning  820  acres  of  land,  the  most  of  which  is  well- 
improved.  He  is  classed  among  the  wealthy,  sul)stantial  and  respon- 
sible farmers  of  the  county.     Politically  he  is  a  Re[)ublican. 

FRANCIS  MILLER,  farmer,  was  born  December  12,  1827,  in 
Greene  County,  Ind.  His  parents  are  Wyatt  and  Mary  (Bland) 
Miller,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  mother  of  North  Carolina. 
The  father  died  in  187(5,  aged  aboutsixty.  He  was  a  farmer,  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  politically  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican.  The 
mother  died  in  184G,  aged  forty-six.  They  had  seven  children,  six  now 
living.  Our  subject  attended  school  some  in  the  log  cabin  of  other 
days,  by  going  several  miles.  He  was  married  in  18.')1  to  Nancy  Mock, 
of  Greene  County,  Ind.  Her  parents  are  David  and  Elizabeth  Mock, 
natives  of  North  Carolina.  David's  tather  was  Captain  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Mr.  M.  and  wife  remained  in  Indiana  until  1853,  when 
they  came  to  the  farm  on  which  they  now  live  in  Section  9,  Township 
10,  Range  8.  He  bought  eighty  acres  on  coming,  and  has  been  adding 
until  he  now  owns  260  acres,  all  of  which  is  improved  bind  except  what 
is  in  timber.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  business;  has  a  nice  home 
and  surroundings  which  indicate  taste,  prosperity  and  ha[)piness.  He 
is  classed  anion":  the  best  farmers  of  his  countv-  To  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mil- 
ler  are  born  five  children;  AVilliam  D.,  John  L.,  Calvin  C.,  Cedorah 
and  Owen  C.  William  D.  died  in  18.57,  aged  about  six  years.  John 
L.  died  in  1881,  aged  2.j  years.  He  was  married  January,  1878,  to 
Casandra  Gillman,  of  this  county.  He  left  two  children,  Ada  and 
Lewis.  Calvin  C.  died  about  the  year  18,")9,  aged  two  years.  Mrs. 
M.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist,  ]Mr.  M.  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  also  of  the  Republican  party. 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND   COUNTY: 

DAVID  F.  RANDOLPH,  farmer,  was  born  January  30,  1830, 
in  Shelby  County,  Intl.  His  ijarents  are  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Hill) 
Randolph,  both  na^ves  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  farnier,  doctor 
and  minister.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
In  [medicine  he  was  a  regular  practitioner  of  the  Botanic  School.  He 
died  in  1865,  at  the  age  of  sev»3nty  years.  In  politics  he  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat. The  mother  died  in  1852,  at  the  age  of  a])out  fifty-seven. 
These  parents  had  twelve  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  now  liv- 
ino-.  David  F.,  our  subject,  had  moderately  good  school  advantages. 
He  averaged  about  a  month  at  school  during  the  winter,  and  worked 
on  the  farm  during  the  summer.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  went 
with  his  parents  from  Shelby  to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  on  a 
farm.  He  worked  for  his  father  until.his  marriage,  which  occurred 
September  22,  1853,  to  Martha  A.  Vaughn,  of  Owen  County,  Indj 
These  parents  have  had  eleven  children — Isabel,  Rebecca  A.,  Mary  A., 
John,  Thomas,  Samuel,  Uriah,  Elizabeth  M.,  Nancy,  Louisa  and 
Lucinda.  Samuel  died  June  25,  1870,  at  the  age  of  seven.  Mary 
A.  died  in  April,  1878,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  She  was  the  wife  of 
John  Pritchett,  of  this  county.  Her  child's  name  is  Martha  A.  Isa- 
bel is  the  wife  of  Abraham  Icenogle,  of  this  county.  Their  children 
are  Joseph  D.,  John  C,  James  T.,  and  William  AV.  Rebecca  A.  is 
the  wife  of  John  Sparks.  Martha  J.,  their  child,  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  R.  came  to  this  county  in  1856,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides.  When  he  came  he  brought  $1,000,  which  was 
largely  invested  in  land.  He  now  owns  more  than  300  acres,  after 
havinir  iriven  more  than  100  to  the  children.  It  will  be  seen  that 
Mr.  R.  has  raised  a  large  ftimily,  and  has  been  very  successful  in 
business.  He  is  beautifully  situated  in  a  large  brick  house,  two  miles 
southwest  from  Johnstown.  His  surroundings  indicate  prosperity 
and  a  comfortable,  happy  home.  In  politics  Mr.  R.  is  a  Greenbacker. 

SAMUEL  P.  REED,  farmer,  was  born  March  18,  1824,  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Ind.  His  parents  are  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Long) 
Reed,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  died  August  11,  1872,  at 
the  age  of  al)out  seventy-eight.  The  mother  died  in  1855.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  These  parents  had  nine  children, 
four  of  whom  are  now  living.  Samuel  P.,  our  subject,  was  raised  on 
the  farm,  had  poor  school  advantiiges,  came  with  his  parents  to  Illi- 
nois in  1836,  and  has  been  living  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides 
ever  since;  is  consequently  one  of  the  old,  respected  and  responsible 
early  settlers  of  the  county.  Few  men  are  better  known  for  honesty 
and  fair  dealing  than  is  Mr.  Reed.     He  has  been  very  successful  in  bus- 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSHIP.  313 

mess,  now  owninir  nearly  SOO  acres  of  land.  He  was  married  October 
30,  18.")3,  to  Eniil}'  Gill,  of  this  State.  Their  children  are  James  M., 
elsewhere  mentioned.  Commodore -P.,  Thomas  J.,  Ada  D.,  William  F., 
Varina  1).,  liosa  C,  Sterling-  P.,  Minnie  Z.  and  Rono  R.  Rosa  C. 
died  inl879,  aged  eleven  years.  Minnie  Z.  died  in  1878,  aged  three 
months.  The  other  members  of  the  family  live  with  their  parents 
on  the  home  farm. 

JAMES  M.  REED,  farmer,  was  born  April  6,  1855,  in  Cumber- 
land County,  m.  His  parents  were  Samuel  P.  and  Emily  Reed, 
elsewhere  mentioned.  His  minor  years  were  spent  at  home  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  attended  school  in  winter  and  worked  on  the 
farm  in  summer,  and  later  attended  Stockton  Academy,  in  Coles 
County.  He  thus  procured  an  education  which  fitted  him  for  teach- 
ing. He  attended  school  under  the  instruction  of  Supt.  W.  E.  Lake, 
elsewhere  mentioned.  Owing  to  an  immense  amount  of  work  at 
home  he  never  taught.  He  is  very  handy  with  carpenter  tools,  and 
makes  a  good  hand  at  rough  carpentering.  He  began  working  for 
himself  on  arriving  at  his  majority.  His  residence  is  a  nice  one, 
which  he  put  up  himself,  in  the  suburbs  of  Janesville.  He  has  been 
engaged  at  spare  times  during  the  past  five  years  in  studying  veter- 
inary surgery,  and  has  attained  a  foir  proficiency  in  that  science, 
and  has  calls  quite  frequently  which  bring  his  acquired  knowledge 
and  skill  into  useful  and  profitable  practice.  He  has  the  nucleus  of 
a  fine  library,  treating  largely  on  the  diseases  and  handling  of  stock, 
and  other  importjint  topics.  He  farms  extensively,  and  at  present 
has  some  forty  acres  of  wheat  which  bids  fair  to  give  a  [)lentiful 
yield.  He  has  been  elected  one  of  the  three  directors  in  district  No. 
6,  the  public  school  of  which  is  located  in  Janesville,  and  the  new 
building  now  in  the  process  of  erection  speaks  well  for  the  good 
taste,  intelligence  and  public  spirit  of  the  Board,  the  people  of  Janes- 
ville and  all  concerned.  Mr.  R.  was  elected  Commissioner  of  Iliirh- 
ways  more  than  three  years  ago.  He  is  one  of  six  who  is  negotiatino- 
for  a  bridge  across  the  Embarrass  Ri\'er,  between  Cottonwood  and 
Union  townships.  This  enterprise  will  be  a  great  convenience  to 
both  townships.  In  the  latter  as  in  the  former  enterprise  he  is 
acknowledged  to  be  the  right  man  in  the  right  place.  No  man  of  his 
years  in  either  township,  perhaps,  has  a  better  record  for  filling  his 
positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  than  has  Mr.  R.  He  was  married 
in  March,  1880,  to  Rosa  L.  Johnston,  of  this  county.  Her  father 
was  from  Scotland,  and  died  about  the  year  18(>0.  Her  mother  is 
still  living  in  Ettingham,  the  wife  of  Lorenzo  Gloyd.     To  Mr.  and 


314  BIOGR.\PHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Mrs.  R.  has  been  born  one  child — Harry  Earl.  The  mother  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcoi)al  Church.  The  father,  like  his  grand- 
father, belongs  to  the  "do  rights."     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

CARSOX  p.  R.  RODGERS,  merchant,  farmer  and  postmaster, 
was  born  November  1,  1840,  in  Coles  County,  111.  His  parents  are 
Isaac  W.  and  ^Susannah  (Porter)  Rodgers,  the  former  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  Both  parents  were  members 
of  the  C  P.  Church.  The  father  was  a  farmer.  He  died  in  1870,  at 
the  age  of  sixty.  In  i)olitics  he  was  an  Abolitionist,  belonging  to 
that  party  when  it  only  numbered  three  or  four  in  the  county.  He 
was  a  Republican,  after  the  organization  of  that  party.  The  mother 
died  in  184G,  at  the  age  of  thirty-three.  These  parents  had  four 
children.  Carson  and  Anna  E.  (now  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Carr,  of 
Nepga  Township),  are  the  only  children  living.  Cai-son  had  such 
school  advantages  as  were  to  be  found  in  the  public  schools  of  the  coun- 
try districts.  Farming  has  been  his  occui^ation  almost  all  his  life.  He 
taught  four  schools  with  fair  success  and  satisfaction  to  his  employ- 
ers. He  was  married,  October  30,  186G,  to  Catharine  W.  Richie,  of 
Cqles  County,  111.,  though  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Her  fiither  was 
Alexander  Richie,  a  merchant  of  Charleston,  111.,  well  and  favorably 
known  in  that  community.  To  j\lr.  and  Mrs.  Rodgers  were  born 
two  children,  Henry  jM.  and  Violet,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
The  moth(n-  died  April  14,  18()il.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  Rodgers  was  next  married  to  jSlartha  J. 
Veatch,  of  Cumberland  County,  111.  Their  man'iage  occurred 
iMarch  8,  1874.  Their  children  are  Isaac  W.,  Kate  AV.,  Florence  L., 
who  was  the  first  child  born  in  the  town  of  Janesville,  111.  Her 
birth  dates  February  22,  1880.  Her  death  occurred  April  18,  1882. 
Mr.  R.  began  for  himself  in  18G(),  when  he  was  first  married.  Until 
his  marriage  he  had  worked  in  the  interests  of  his  father.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  tarming  business  as  a  specialty  until  1877,  Avlien  he 
began  merchandising  in  a  general  store  at  Farmington,  111.  The 
stock  was  removed  to  Janesville  in  1879.  the  firm  being  C.  P.  Rod- 
gers &  Co.,  and  W.  ]M.  and  R.  II.  Osborn  made  [);irtners.  Later  the 
firm  name  was  changed  to  W.  M.  &  C  P.  Rodgers,  th.e  latter  being 
Postmaster  of  Janesville  as  well.  This  Mas  the  tii-st  store  in  the 
town.  Tluy  now  carry  the  largest  stock  of  dry  gootls  and  groceries, 
perhaps,  of  any  firm  in  this  part  of  the  two  counties.  The  indica- 
tions are  they  are  doing  a  safe  and  increasing  business,  which  is 
gained  largely  by  strict  attention  to  l)usiness  and  fair  dealing.  Mr. 
R.  is  numl)ered  among  the  responsil)le,  well-to-do  citizens  of  the 


COTTOXWOOl)    TOWNSHIl'.  315 

county.  He  is  a  niember  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  poli- 
tics, a  Republican.  His  wife,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Kodgers,  is  a  nioujln'r  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WALLACE   M.   RODGEKS,    merchant,   Jancsville,    111.,    was 
born  March  1,  1847,  in  Coles  County,  111.     His  parentis  are  John  W. 
and  Lovisa  (Balch)  Rodgers.     His  tiither  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
was  a  good,  honast,   well-to-do  farmer;  in  politics  a  Whig,  later  a 
Rei)ul)li(an.     His  death  occurred  May  8,  18(J4,  aged  sixty-six  years. 
The  mother  died  December  I'j,  187!l,  aged  seventy-two.     15oth  par- 
ents Mere  members  of  the  C  P.  Church.     They  had  nine  cjjildren, 
five  of  whom  are  now  living.     Wallace  M.   worked  on   the  tanu' 
clerked  and  taught  school  until  he  was  about  the  age  of  twenly-five. 
As  a  teacher  he  was  quite  successful,   having  an  incn^ase  of  wao-es 
every  new  term,  which  may  be  considered  substantial  evidence^of 
good  success.     He  clerked  with  several  different  parties,  and  entered 
as  partner  with  the  last,— R.  H.   Osbora,  of  Campbell,  111.      The 
store  was  at  Johnstown,  III.,  Mr.  O.  leaving  the  entin;  business  with 
his  partner,  Mr.  R.,  which  speaks  well  for  the  confi<lence  ])ljiced  in 
the   honesty  and   integrity  of  the   latter.     This  partnership  Ijisted 
more  than  ten  years,  the  firm  name  being  W.  M.  Rod«rors  &  Co. 
Mr.  R.  built  the  house  and  engaged  in  the  store  in  which  he  is  now 
partner,  styled  W.   M.    &   G    P.   Rodgers,   elsewhere    mentioned. 
Mr.  R.  has  been  very  successful  in  business  and  is  chi.ssed  among  the 
responsible  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county.     Mr.  Rodirei-Tsold 
the  first  goods  in   this  town.     He  was  married  August  80,    187.3,  to 
Mary  E.  D.  Bovell,  born  June  18,  18.31;  daughter  of  James  G.  and 
Eliza  (Dryden)  Bovell,  of  Coles  County,  both  being  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee.    The  father  of  the  latter  was  one  of  the  fii-st  settlers  i)i  this 
country.     Three  children  are  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  M.  Rodo-ers: 
Gertrude  L.,  Laurence  B.,  and  Edith  C'.     Gertrude  L.  died  August 
7,  1882,  at  the  age  of  five  years.     Liurence  B.  died  August  29,  1881, 
at  the  age  of  fourteen   months.     Edith  C  is  living,  ni   the  age  of 
eight  months.     Politically,  Mr.  R.  is  a  Republican. 

JONATHAN  WILSON  8HULL,  pliysician.  farmer  and  po.st- 
master,  Johnstown,  111.,  was  born  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  July 
12,  1833.  His  parents  are  Michael  and  Margaret  (Wilson)  Shull, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  His  father  formerly  owned  slaves,  jis  did' 
also  the  mother,  and  on  their  marriage  they  freed  them.  One  owned 
by  the  father  was  valued  at  $2,00().  Another  owned  by  the  mother 
was  valued  at  $1,000.  They  were  opposed  to  slavery— would  not 
take  any    money   for  the  slaves,  but  gave  them  all  their  freedom. 


le 


31ti  BIOGKArHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBEKLAND    COINTV: 

Their  inarriaiT^o  occurred  in  1826,  when  they  moved  to  Ohio.  They 
had  ten  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  liviiiir;  are  married  and  have 
fjimilies.  Two  of  the-  boys  served  in  the  same  command,  and  re- 
turned at  the  close  of  the  late  war.  They  raised  two  other  children, 
after  raising  their  own.  They  are  now  married  and  have  families, 
The  father  was  a  member  of  the  Universal ist  Church,  was  a  Mason 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  a  Republican  of  the  Lovejoy  tj'pe. 
He  is  still  living  in  this  county  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight 
years.  The  mother  died  March,  1871,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 
Jonathan  \^^  had  good  school  advantages  for  those  days.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1851,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the 
south  part  of  this  county.  He  worked  on  the  farm  in  summer  and 
taught  school  in  the  winter.  He  taught  four  winters  in  this  county, 
and  attended  Normal  School  at  Paris,  three  months.  He  studied 
medicine  under  U.  N.  Mallett,  of  Effingham,  one  year,  then  under 
Dr.  Ewart,  of  this  county,  for  one  year,  then  began  practice  with 
him  at  Greenup  in  18G0.  He  was  married,  December  27,  18(50,  to 
Mary  A.  Cook,  of  this  county.  He  then  settled  in  Greenup,  bought 
property  and  began  housekeeping.  He  taught  two  terms  of  school 
near  Greenup  during  the  winters  of  18(iO-lU,  still  attending  to  his 
practice.  He  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry, 
July  19,1862,  went  into  camp  in  September,  when  he  was  detailed  as 
hospital  steward,  in  which  he  served  until  October  19,  when  he  was 
ordered  to  join  his  command  in  Kentucky.  He  went  to  Memphis, 
thence  to  Chickasaw  Bluff,  where  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  a 
battle,  and  "terribly  bluffed;"  thence  to  Arkansas  Post,  where  the 
Union  troops  were  victorious;  thence  to  Vicksburg,  where  he 
was  on  detached  service,  in  Young's  Point  General  Hospital.  Hero 
he  nursed  a  Captain  of  the  Chicago  Mercantile  Battery,  through  a 
case  of  the  small-pox,  but  did  [not  take  the  disease  himself  This  hos- 
pitjil  was  transferred  to  Van  Buren,  seven  miles  up  the  river.  Pre- 
scribing steward  was  his  position  here.  He  did  good  service  there, 
as  many  who  are  now  living  can  testify.  Chronic  diarrhea  was  the 
prevailing  disease.  They  were  dying  in  that  hosjiital  from  six  to 
eight  a  day.  The  treatment  formerly  given  was  calomel,  opium, 
camphor  and  (piinine.  Dr.  S.  being  opposed  to  that  treatment, 
changed  it,  using  but  little  medicine,  but  attending  to  the  diet.  The 
result  of  that  change  was  most  salutary.  In  three  weeks,  his  ward 
returned  to  duty.  From  Van  Buren  hospital  he  was  transferred  to 
Island  102,  among  the  contrabands.  While  at  the  Van  Buren  hos- 
pital he  was  put  in  charge  of  the  pest  hospital,  at  Milligan's  Bend, 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSIIIl'.  317 

two  miles  up  tlu"  river,  whore  he  took  tlie  eonfiuont  smuU-pox, 
was  (li.sal)UHl  about  a  month,  but  rccovcrel  and  remained  at  the  hos- 
pit;il  until  all  recovered.  While  amon*^  the  contrabands  he  went 
to  Vicksburg  to  draw  rations  for  them  every  ten  days.  Recruit- 
ing otficei*s  were  there,  after  negroes  to  till  State  quotas.  They 
oti'ercd  the  Doctor  as  high  as  $50  for  eveiy  negro  he  would  induce 
to  enlist  for  them  and  In-ing  to  Vicksburg.  This  he  promptly 
refused  to  do.  Ilis  father's  example  was  scru[)ulously  observed,  not 
to  traffic  in  human  tlesh.  The  Doctor  ranked  a,s  hospital  steward.  He 
remained  here  about  six  months;  thence  to  the  contraband  hospital 
at  Young's  Point.  While  there  he  was  ordered  back  into  the  coun- 
try about  ten  miles,  to  ti  cotton-gin,  to  get  a  cupboard  and  lumber 
to  enlarge  the  liosj)ital;  and  while  there  he  was  attacked  by  a 
Company  of  twenty-five  independent  scouts,  who  were  luider  com- 
mand of  Captain  Dishroom,  of  INIississippi.  He  would  have  been 
shot  dead,  as  was  a  comrade  by  his  side,  had  he  not  given  the  hail- 
ing sign  of  distress,  which  was  respected — Captain  D.  being  a  Mason. 
He  was  taken  to  Falmouth,  La.,  and  there  incarcerated  in  the  county- 
jail,  with  promise  of  exchange  in  a  few  days.  He  stayed  thereabout 
a  week,  then  went  to  Shreveport,  as  a  prisoner  of  Avar,  where  he  stayed 
about  four  months;  thence  to  Rebel  prison  at  Camp  Ford,  near  Tyler, 
Texas.  Here  the  Rebs  put  him  in  charge  of  the  Union  sick  sol- 
diers. He  was  treated  with  tlie  utmost  deference.  They  gave  him 
entire  care  of  the  sick  and  allowed  him  to  go  a  radius  of  five  miles 
in  the  country.  Here  he  lemained  two  months,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  the  war  closed.  He  joined  his  command  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  and 
at  Galveston,  Texas,  he  was  mustered  out.  He  then  returned  to 
Greenup,  being  the  first  time  he  was  home  since  he  enlisted.  He 
found  the  pill-bags  in  the  identical  spot  where  he  had  left  them 
three  years  before.  Not  a  bottle  was  moved,  and  everything  had 
been  scrupulously  cared  for  by  his  faithful  wife.  He  resumed  prac- 
tice then,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  ever  since,  with  good  suc- 
cess. He  moved  to  Johnstown,  April  5,  1872-  He  has  a  good  home 
of  twenty  acres  where  he  lives.  Ho  has  an  increasing  practice,  and 
is  classed  among  the  best  physicians  and  responsible  citizens  of 
the  county.  His  children  are  Kate  ]M..  James  W.,  Margaret  A., 
Ulysses  G.,  Edna  M.,  Dora,  and  Ethel  E.  Ulysses  G.  died  in  infancy. 
Kate  M.  is  the  wife  of  Allison  Fleming,  of  this  county,  married 
September  18,  1881.  Carrie  M.  is  their  child.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are 
both  memb:>rs  of  the  Universalist  Chii:  (  li.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, with  Greenback  tendencies. 


318 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 


JOHN  W.  SXODGRASS,  farmer  and  lumber-dealer,  was  born 
December  17,  1837,  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind.  His  parents  are  John 
and  Minerva  (Douglass)  Snodgrass,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  a  Democrat  politically^  Both  parents  died  in 
1878,  the  former  at  about  the  age  of  fifty-four,  the  latter  at  about  the 
age  of  fifty;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  They 
had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  John  W.  came  with 
his  parents  to  Cumberland  County  in  1857,  arriving  October  17, 
and  settling  within  a  mile  of  where  he  now  resides.  His  father 
bought  a  part  of  the  farm  on  which  J.  W.  now  resides,  and  began 
opening  out  a  farm.  Mr.  S-  has  been  working  for  himself  since  he 
was  about  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was  married  in  December,  1859, 
to  Sarah  J.  Fairbanks,  a  native  of  this  comity.  vShe  is  the  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Fannv  Fairbanks,  natives  of  Ohio.  The  mother  is 
still  living  in  this  county,  being  seventy-four  years  of  age..  Her 
father  died  in  September,  1876,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snodo-rass  were  born  three  children.  The  oldest  died 
in  infancy;  Mary  Frances  and  Nettie  Ann,  the  other  two,  are  living 
at  home.  Mr.  S-  had  for  a  start  $5  in  money  and  two  colts.  He 
now  owns  114  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  fair  cidtivation. 
He  also  owns  a  steam  grist-mill,  saw-mill  and  thresher,  all  of  which 
are  run  by  the  same  engine.  Mr.  S.  is  doing  a  good  l)usiness  in 
his  various  occupations,  and  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous, 
responsible  and  worthy  farmers  of  the  count}'.  Mr.  S.  is  a  member  of 
Toledo  Lodge,  No.  355,  I.  O.  O.  F.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 
Mr.  S-  is  a  good  neighbor,  as  kind  to  the  poor  perhaps  as  any  person 
in  the  county,  and  is  regarded  by  all  as  a  first-class  man. 

GARRISON  TATE,  farmer,  was  born  January  20,  1831,  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.  His  parents  are  John  and  Susannah  (Carey) 
Tate,  both  nati.es  of  Tennessee.  The  father  heli)ed  cut  the  timber 
from  the  ground  where  Bloomington  now  stands.  He  was  a  well- 
to-do  farmer,  and  died  September  7,  18()4,  in  his  seventj'-first  year, 
on  his  farm  southeast  of  Bloomington.  The  mother  died  February, 
1876,  at  the  age  of  eighty -three.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church.  The  parents  had  eight  childi-en,  two  boys 
and  two  girls  still  living.  Garrison  came  to  Illinois,  March,  1854^ 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Cottonwood  Township,  Section  35,  and  has 
remained  here  ever  since.  He  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
county,  and  has  been  quite  successful  in  business,  now  owning  247  acres 
of  well  improved  land.  He  is  well-known  and  highly  respected  as 
one  of  the  good  citizens  of  the  county.     He   was  married  May  26^ 


COTTONWOOD    TOWNSHIP.  319 

l.S")2,  to  Jeuiietto  Adams,  of  Monroe  County,  Ind..  by  whom  ho  had 
SIX  children,  viz.:  John  A.,  Mary  J.,  Susan,  David  J.,  Joseph  R.,  q,nd 
Francis  M.  Mrs.  Jcnnette  Tate  died  March  2(),  1875.  She  was  a 
memher  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  She  was  a  thorough 
bible-student,  seldom  reading- any  other  book,  and  ahvays  reading  her 
Testament  through  three  times  yearl}'.  John  A.  and  Susan  died  in 
infancy.  -Joseph  R.  died  Scptend)er  17,  1873,  in  his  fourteenth 
year.  Mary  J.  died  October  10,  187!<,  aged  twenty-five  years.  Mr. 
Tate  was  married  a  sec^ond  time,  September  29,1875,  to  Mrs.  Eliz- 
abeth McCartney,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Her  children  by  her  former 
husband  are  Ida  ]\r.,  Henrietta  and  Alice.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  (Mc- 
Cartney) Tate  are  born  Ilattie  E.,  Martha  E.,  and  a  third  which  died 
in  infancy.  iSIary  J.,  is  the  wife  of  Perry  Thompson  and  the  mother 
of  four  children — Viola,  Cora,  Nora  and  Joseph  G.  The  latter  died 
in  infancy.  Nora  died  at  two  years  of  age.  David  was  married 
July  18,  18S3,  to  Minnie  IVishop,  of  this  county.  Francis  M.  was 
married  March,  1879,  to  Mary  White,  of  this  county.  This  union  is 
blessed  Avith  two  children.  Mr.  Tate  and  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  (Miurch.  The  former  has  held  the  office  of 
County  Supervisor,  and  has  been  Assessor  for  several  terms.  He  is 
now  serving  his  second  term  as  Township  Commissioner.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat  of  the  Jacksonian  type. 

IZATUS  WHITACRE,  merchant,  was  born  December  11, 1845, 
in  Frederick  County,  Va.  liis  parents  are  Asbury  and  Emeline 
(McKee)  Whitacre,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  died  De- 
cember, 1881,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
carpenter;  in  politics  a  Doraocrat,  taking  an  active  ])art  in  the  affairs 
of  the  county.  The  mother  died  in  ^Nlarch,  187(5,  at  the  age  of  fifty 
years.  Both  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Chinrh.  They  had  ten 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  liviiig.  Tzatus  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Coles  County  in  1857.  His  school  advantage^  were  good  for 
those  days.  He  prepared  himself  and  taught  in  the  public  schools 
of  Illinois  fourteen  winters,  with  an  interval  of  two  years.  As  a 
teacher  he  was  eminently  successful,  giving  good  satisfaction  to  par- 
ents, employers,  pupils  and  all  concerned.  Aside  from  teaching,  he 
has  worked  on  the  farm,  and  in  business  he  has  been  quite  successful.' 
Since  March,  1883,  he  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Janes- 
ville,  under  the  fiim  name  of  Brashares  &  Whitacre.  The  firm 
carry  the  heaviest  stock  of  dry-goods  and  groceries,  perhaps,  of  any 
firm  of  the  kind  in  this  ))ortion  of  the  two  counties.  The  firm  man- 
iigc-;  the  grain  I)U-;iness  of  the  town,  also— an  enterprise  which  bids 


320  niOOKAl'MICAL    SKETCHES CUMliEKI. AM)    COUNTY: 

fair  to  increase  in  importance.  jNIr.  Whitacre  was  married  April  2, 
1871,  to  Harriet  A.  Phipps,  of  Coles  County,  111.  Six  children  have 
blessed  this  union,  viz:  Finnis  A.,  John  R,  ]\Ielva  C,  the  next  a 
daui^diter  unnamed  who  died  in  infancy,  Duley  J.  and  James  O.  Alelva 
O.,  died  September  2S,  187G,aged  oneyear.  The  rest  are  living  with 
their  parents.  Mr.  and  ^Nlrs.  W.  are  both  members  of  the  C.  P. 
Church.  Mr.  W.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  ]\Iuddy  Point, 
No.  '69().  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  >\'hit;icre 
spent  one  year  on  a  farm  in  Miami  County,  Kan.  They  returned  to 
Coles  County  in  February,  1880. 

HENRY  WILLIAMS,  retired  farmer,  was  born  November  5, 
1811,  in  Bradford  County,  Penn.     At  the  age  of  four  j'ears  he  went 
with  his  parents  to  Hardin  County,  Ky.     His  parents  are  Zabiu  and 
Lucy  (Needham)  Williams,  the  fiither  a  nephew  to  the  Williams, 
founder  of  AVilliams' College.  He  was  a  mechanic  and  the  father  of  six 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living.     The  mother  died  at  La- 
Porte,  Ind.,  in  1837.     Henry  had  no  school  advantages.     He  worked 
on  the  farm,  in  the  still-house,  in  the  saw  and  grist-mill,  and  at  the 
carpenter's  trade.     At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came  to  Harrison 
County,  Ind.     He  worked  on  the  farm  and  on  the  canal  near  Louis- 
ville, and  later  in  a  brick-yard,  and  on  the  jail  at  Corydon,  Ind.,  just 
after  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  Indianapolis.     He  then  engaged 
in  whipsawing  timber  for  boats   for  some  time.     He  was  married, 
March  1,  1830,  to  Lucretia  Beals,  of  Crawford  County,  Ind.,  but  a 
native  of  Bradford  County,  Pennsylvania.     Her  grandfather,  Oliver 
Hays,  served  the  entire  time  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  coming  home 
only  one  week  to  get  married.     iTi  1830,  Mr.  and  jNIrs.  W.  came  to 
Cumberland    County,    Ind.     There   were   no   county    borders  then. 
They  settled  one-half  mile  due  east  from  Trilla,  and  have  been  liv- 
ing within  two  miles  of  that  point  ever  since,  over  lifty-three  years. 
That  neighborhood  to  this  day  is  called  Beals'  neighborhood.     Beals' 
church,  and  Beals'  graveyard  are  still  there.     That  family  and  their 
connections  occupy  that  territory,  the  most  of  them  owning  their 
own  homes.     There  was  no  honse  in  the  township  when  they  came. 
Mr.  W.  is  the  oldest  settler  in  the  township.     Mrs.  W.  has  not  been 
farther  from  home  than    fourteen    miles    in   titty-three  years.     She 
is  a  good  wife  and  mother,  and  her  hnsband's  success  in  life  is  largely 
due   her   nntiring    zeal    and   earnestness.      They    have  had    eleven 
children,  eight    of  whom    lived    to   matnre  years,    viz.:     Mary  J., 
Henry    W.,  David   C,  David  B.,  Lncy   E.,  Mahala    R.,   Jesse   M., 
rxjrinda   C.,    Wm.  F.,  Zabiu    M.,    :uuf  Oliver    11.     David    C.    and 


COTTONWOOD   TOWNSHIP.  321 

Mahahi  died  in  infancy  ;  Zabin  died  at  four  years  of  a<^e,  and 
Oliver  at  twelve  years.  Lucy  E.  died  October,  186,5.  Shcwastlie 
wife  of  Wm.  Vincent.  Marv  J.  is  the  wife  of  Josiah  Goodwin; 
Henry  W.  married  Nancy  J.  Stone.  After  her  death  he  marrictl 
Amanda  Kelley.  David  B.  married  Phebe  Landers;  Jesse  M.  mar- 
ried Eliza  H:i2ey;  Lorinda  0.  married  John  T.  Jones;  William  F. 
was  married  March  8,  1868,  to  Minerva  J.  Landers,  of  this  county, 
a  native  of  Crawford  County,  Ind.  These  parents  have  children- 
John  E.,  Essie  B.,  and  Mary  A.  Wm.  F.  lives  in  Section  33,  and 
is  a  well-to-do  farmer.  Mr.  W.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  and  Mrs. 
W.  of  the  C.  P.  Church.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  business.  He 
now  owns  17.5  acres  of  land.  When  they  started  from  Indiana,  they 
supplied  themselves  Avith  a  bed  and  bedding  and  clothes  enough  to 
last  them  a  year.  Their  money  consisted  of  $1.50.  On  the  way 
seventy-five  cents  was  expended  for  ammunition.  So  they  landed  at 
their  new  home  with  '•  nary  a  dollar."  His  fcixes  were  six  and  one- 
fourth  cents  the  first  year;  since  that  they  have  been  as  high  as  $80 
a  year.  At  that  time  deer  and  tiu'key  could  be  killed  almost  from 
the  door  of  his  cabin.  Coons — eighteen,  full-grown — have  been 
"taken  in"  in  one-third  as  many  hours.  Since  that  time  things 
have  chanofed.  The  keen  edge  of  the  hard  times  has  been  turned, 
and  the  desert  has  been  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  The  old  sickle 
now  lays  rusting  in  the  smoky  loft,  and  the  automatic  binder,  drawn 
by  horses,  has  taken  its  place.  His  sons  rent  his  farm.  Their  corn, 
sorghum  and  wheat  prospects  are  good  for  this  year.  Mother  Will- 
iams is  a  member  of  the  C.  P.  Church.  She  is  one  of  the  original 
membei-s  of  the  C.  P.  Church,  of  "the  good  prospect  congregation," 
organized  forty-four  years  ago.  She  is  one  of  the  only  two  still  liv- 
insr-  Mr.  W.  had  three  sons  and  two  sons-in-law  in  the  armv.  In 
politics,  the  entire  Williams  family  are  Republicans. 


o22  liKKiKAlMlICAL    SKKTCHES — CIMBEKLANI)    COUNTS  : 


NEOGA  TOWNSHIP. 

G.  ^^'•  ALIUX.  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Intl., 
Decenibor  17,  1S22,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Eliza  (Mai*^h)  Albin,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Marsh,  an  otKcer  in  the  war  of  the  Kevolution,  and  is 
of  English-Irish  extraction.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  his  mother  was  born  near  Pliiladelphia,  Penn.  His  father  Emi- 
grated to  Indiana  in  18Ui,  and  settled  in  Harrison  County.  He  died 
in  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  in  18t>3,  and  his  mother  in  Lawrence 
County,  in  1823.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  in 
1843  the  subject  of  this  mention  began  reading  medicine  at  Clover- 
dale,  Ind.  In  the  winter  of  184(i-7  he  attended  lectures  at  the  Indian- 
apolis State  Medical  College,  which  was  then  located  at  I^Porto. 
He  practiced  his  profession  for  a  time  at  Delphi,  Ind.,  then  went  to 
North  Arm,  Edgar  Co.,  111.;  here  practiced  one  year;  then  went  to 
Coles  County,  111.;  there  remained  four  years.  In  the  winter  of 
1851-52,  he  attended  Rush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago;  graduated 
Febnuuy  1{»,  1852.  In  March,  1853,  became  to  Cumberland  County, 
and  settled  four  miles  east  of  Xeoga.  In  1856  he  removed  to  Xeoga, 
and  here  has  since  lived  and  been  in  active  practice.  Dr.  Albin 
erected  the  tirst  dwelling  house  in  Neoga.  He  was  married  Janu- 
ary 10,  1854,  to  Miss  C^Tithia  C  Dryden.  Mrs.  Albin  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  Tenn.  They  have  had  live  children,  viz.:  an  infant 
that  died  unnamed;  Mary  C,  Oscar  W.  C,  May  and  William  C  W. 
He  is  a  Republican.  He  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Third 
Regiment  Illinois  Infantry,  in  1864,  and  was  discharged  Septem- 
ber 26,  1864;  was  commissioned  First  Assistant  Surgeon.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  I.  O.  O-  F.;  A.  L-  of  IL,  and  G. 
A.  R.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Albin  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  is  the  second  graduate  of  medicine  that  ever  j^racticed  in  Cum- 
berhmd  County.  He  is  now  the  oldest  practicing  physician  in  the 
county.  As  a  physician  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  is  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Cumberland  County,  and  a  most  influential  citizen. 
A  man  is  known  by  the  work  of  his  life. 

JAMES  M.  ALBIN,  a  leading  agriculturist  and  brother  of  Dr.  (Jr. 
W.  Albin,  of  Neoga,  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  July  26, 
1841,  son  of  Joseph  and  Rosana  (Sheeks)  Albin,  and  is  the  twelfth 
in  a  family  of  fifteen  children.  He  was  married  September  4,  1862, 
to  Miss  Mary  J.  Goddard.    Mrs.  Albin  is  a  native  of  Virginia.    They 


NEOGA    TOWNSHIP.  323 

have  four  childion,  viz.:  Joseph  L.,  Charles  M.,  Florence  R.  and 
Eugene  C.  Mr.  Alhin  came  to  Cumberland  County  in  March,  1871, 
and  settled  tour  miles  cast  of  Neoofa.  Here  he  lias  since  lived,  and 
has  a  well  improved  farm  of  Ul8  acres.  He  is  one  of  the  best  farm- 
ers in  Neoo-a  Township.  He  is  a  thorouirh  Republican.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Albin  are  meml)ers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is 
a  prominent  and  an  honorable  man,  and  one  of  the  most  successful 
farmers  in  Xeoofa  Township. 

JA]\IES  CLARK,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  is  a  native  of  West 
Virofinia,  born  September  20,  1840,  the  son  of  Cornelius  and  Abigail 
(Wright)  Clark,  and  is  of  English  descent.  The  parents  of  Mr. 
Clark  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  born  near  Boston.  In 
18.i(i  they  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Coles  County,  and 
here  his  father  died  the  following  year.  In  1880  his  mother  was 
deceased  in  Decatur,  111.  On  the  28th  of  November,  186(),  occurred 
the  marriage  of  ^Ir.  Clark  to  Miss  Lucinda  Buchanan.  Mrs.  Clark 
is  a  native  of  Indiana.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children, 
viz.:  Mary,  Rose,  Carrie  A.,  John  .!.,  George.  Charles  and  Robert. 
Mr.  Clark  came  to  Cumberland  Count}'  in  1851»,  and  three  years 
later  he  removed  to  where  he  now  resides,  and  where  he  owns  430 
acres  of  well  improved  land.  The  farm  has  many  tine  advantages 
as  a  stock  farm,  and  is  well  improved.  As  a  farmer  and  trader  Mr* 
Clark  has  been  successful.  For  a  numljer  of  jears  he  has  been 
interested  in  Shorthorn  cattle,  and  he  has  the  finest  herd  of  that 
•stock  in  the  county.  Mr.  Clark  has  a  partner  in  the  stock  business. 
He  is  a  Republican,  Mason,  and  an  upright  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clark  are  members  ot  tlie  Presl)yterian  Church.  He  lias  been  an 
elder  in  that  church  for  many  years. 

DAVID  A.  CALDWELL,  farmer,  was  born  in  eastern  Tennessee, 
May  1(3,  1831,  is  the  son  of  Robert  W.  and  Sibby  (Russell)  Caldwell, 
the  second  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Irish  lineage. 
His  parents  were  also  natives  of  Tennessee.  In  1837  they  emigrated 
to  Boone  County,  Ind.  They  died  in  that  county.  The  subject  of 
our  mention  was  married  April  2.'),  18(j0,  to  Miss  Ann  E.  Mount, 
daughter  of  Atwell  and  Lucinda  Mount.  Mi's.  Caldwell  was  born 
in  Montiromerv  (buntv.  Ind.  Thev  have  nine  children,  viz.:  Will- 
iani  A.,  Frederick  A.,  Robert  W.,  Mary  C,  James  C-,  Carrie  R., 
Sibba  E.,  Frank  R.  and  Horace  M.  In  the  fall  of  ISGI,  Mr.  Cald- 
well came  to  Neoga  Township,  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  made 
settlement  four  and  one  half  miles  northeast  of  Neoga,  and  there 
has  since  resided,  and  has  200  acres  of  well  improved  land.     lie  is  a 


324  BIOOUAl'HICAL    SKETniE8 — CL.MHKKLAND    COUNTY: 

Repiil)lican,  and  iidvocates  the  continued  success  of  the  Kepublitau 
party.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Caldwell  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  They  are  taking  great  interest  in  the  education  of  their 
children.  He  is  a  prominent  citizen  and  a  most  pleasant  gentle- 
man. The  family  is  praised  by  all  who  know  it.  Frederick  A. 
Caldwell,  a  son  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  one  of  the  leading 
school  teachers  of  the  county,  and  an  affable  young  man.  He  has 
commenced  a  course  in  AVabash  College,  at  Crawfordsville,  Ind. 
Mr.  Cahhvell  comprehends  the  necessity  of  a  finished  education. 

L.  M.  CASSTEVEXS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County, 
Tenn.,  January  21,  lb31,  and  is  the  soil  of  Thomas  and  Hester  (Massey) 
Casstevens.  He  is  of  Welsh  extraction  and  the  second  in  a  family  ot 
nine  children.  Mr.  Casstevens  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Cum- 
berland County,  coming  here  and  making  settlement  in  1844,  in 
Neoga  Tow^nship,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  The  plat  on  which 
he  settled  is  situated  four  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Neoga. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  in  all  that  region  of  country  to  begin  im- 
provements. The  marriage  of  Mr.  Casstevens  took  place  in  October, 
1854,  to  Miss  Amanda  McCartney,  a  native  of  Indiana.  To  this 
marriage  has  been  born  seven  children,  of  wdiich  only  two  are  liv- 
ing, viz.:  Andrew  T.  and  Joseph  W.  In  1860  he  moved  to  the  site 
of  the  present  residence.  His  farm  consists  of  280  acres  of  good 
land,  and  which  Mr.  Casstevens  has  splendidly  improved.  The  suc- 
cess that  attends  him  has  come  up  through  the  avenues  of  industry 
and  economy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Casstevens  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.     He  is  a  Avell-to-do  farmer  and  a  Democrat. 

MRS.  MARY  E.  COLE,  wife  of  William  J.  Cole,  deceased,  was 
born  in  Ohio  County,  Ind.,  May  20,  1847,  is  the  daughter  of  John  B. 
and  Rebecca  Baker,  is  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  is  of 
German  descent.  Mrs.  Cole  was  married  February  20,  18G6,  to 
William  J.  Cole,  a  native  of  Indiana.  In  October,  1866,  they  came 
to  Coles  County,  111.,  and  there  remained  two  years,  and  then  came 
to  Cumberland  County.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  viz.: 
Fannie  R.  and  Wilburn  A.  Mr.  Cole  died  July  9,  1872.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war  ;  a  member  of  Company  C,  Thirty-Seventh 
Indiana  Volunteers;  served  three  and  one-h;ilf  years.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  an  honorable  citizen.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Cole 
she  has  spent  seven  years  at  her  native  home  in  the  Iloosier  State. 
She  now  resides  in  Mattoon,  111.  She  owmis  110  acres  of  well  im- 
proved land  in  Neoga  Township,  Cumberland  County,  111.  Mrs.  Cole 
is  a  most  amiable  woman,  and  one  of  the  leading  ladies  in  Mattoon. 


NEOGA    TOWXSJIIl'.  325 

1'.  L.  DeVORE,  turmer,  was  bom  in  Brown  County,  Ohio, 
Septenil)ei'  8,  18413,  is  the  son  of  Peter  M.  and  Sarah  (Day)  DeVore, 
the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-German 
descent.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of  Brown  County,  Ohio.  His 
father  died  in  that  county  in  187(5,  and  his  mother  in  1878.  The 
subject  of  our  notice  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  September 
20,  18(31,  in  Company  B,  First  Ohio  Zouaves,  Thirty-Fourth  Regi- 
ment, as  a  private,  but  was  discharged  as  a  sergeant,  jSIarch  30, 
18G.").  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  Virginia,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  October,  18G4.  He  saw  the  scenes  and  withstood 
the  hardships  of  Libby  Prison  for  five  months.  Mr.  DeVore  was 
married  December,  18(37,  to  Miss  Sallie  E.  Parks.  Mrs.  DeVore  is 
a  native  of  Cumberland  County,  111.  To  this  union  have  been  born 
six  children,  viz.:  Alfred  L.,  Flora,  John  AV.,  Emma,  Tliomas  W., 
and  Frank.  In  September,  1880,  Mr.  DeVore  removed  from  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  has  since  resided  one 
mile  southwest  of  Neoga,  on  a  farm  that  he  purchased  of  his  brother 
in  1878.  The  farm  contains  137  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  best  stock 
farms  in  Cum]>erland  County;  also  one  of  the  best  improved  farms 
in  the  county.  He  is  a  thorough  Republican;  cast  his  fii-st  Presi- 
dential vote  for  '•  Old  Abe."  Mr.  DeVore  was  a  splendid  soldier, 
is  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  Neoga  Township,  and  an  hon- 
orable citizen.  Mrs.  DaVore  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

MORTOX  D0\\',  tile  manufacturor,  was  born  in  Switzerland 
County,  lud.,  March  20,  1839,  is  .the  son  of  Joseph  and  Augustine 
(Ichib:ui(l)  Dow,  the  second  in  a  family,  of  five  children,  and  is  of 
Scotch-French  e.xtraction.  His  father  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  his 
mother  in  France.  Thev  came  to  America  about  183G,  and  settled  in 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  and  there  they  were  both  deceased,  father 
in  18(32,  and  mother  in  1881.  The  early  life  of  Mr.  Dow  was  spent 
on  the  farm.  He  was  married,  December  25,  18(32,  to  Miss  A.  M. 
Gale,  daughter  of  A.  E.  Gale,  formerly  of  Jefferson  County,  Ind., 
but  who  now  resides  in  Cumberland  County,  Illinois.  They  have 
three  chihlren,  viz.:  Cora  C,  Charles  M.,  and  Edmond  E.  The  sub- 
ject of  our  notice  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  in  April,  18G5. 
He  has  lived  in  Neoga  since  18(37,  save  one  year.  Mr.  Dow  first 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  then  changed  to  general  merchan- 
dising, in  partnership  with  C.  D.  Green.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  Tracy  Kingman.  In  January,  1882,  he  bought  a 
one-fourth  interest  in  the  Neoga  Mill,  and  sold  the  same  in  January, 


826  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBEHLANT)    COUNTY: 

1883.  Ill  Fol)i'u;iiy,  ISHi-J,  he  formed  a  partncrshi[),  in  the  niamit'act- 
ure  of  drainage  tile,  with  AV.  B.  Phillips.  He  is  the  junior  member 
of  the  firm  known  as  Phillips  &  Dow.  He  is  a  Ropubliean.  He  has 
long  been  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Xcoga,  and  is  loyal 
to  all  causes  that  are  for  the  bettering  of  general  humanity  and  the 
country. 

g'  F.  DOUGHERTY,  U.  D.,  w^as  born  in  LaA\Tence  County, 
Ind.,  September  24,  1855;  son  of  Isaiah  and  Sarah  (Harsey)  Dough- 
erty. His  parents  were  born  in  Indiana.  He  is  the  second  in  a  fam- 
ily of  three  children,  and  is  of  Irish-English  descent.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  parents  came  to 
.Cumberland  County,  111.,  in  1877,  and  settled  in  Neoga;  came  in 
March, and  his  father  died  here  the  September  following.  His  mother 
now  resides  in  Neoga.  The  literary  education  of  Mr.  Dougherty  wa.s 
confined  to  the  common  schools  of  Indiana  and  the  Shoals  Academ}'', 
at  Shoals,  Ind.  In  1876,  he  began  reading  medicine,  at  Shoals,  Iiid., 
in  the  office  of  Dr.  D.  Gaddis;  remained  there  only  a  short  time,  and 
then  came  to  Neoofa,  and  continued  the  work  under  the  instruction 
of  Dr.  L.  H.  Mason.  In  the  winter  of  1878-79,  he  attended  lectures 
at  the  American  Medical  College,  at  Saint  Louis;  also,  the  winter  of 
1871»-80,  and  graduated,  June  1,  1880,  from  that  institution.  Since 
that  time,  he  has  been  practicing  his  profession  in  Neoga.  In  1882, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  F.  M.  Ricliardson,  which  still  con- 
tinues. He  was  married,  October  15,  1878,  to  Gilla  Sawyer.  They 
have  had  three  children,  viz.:  Edina,  Kittie,  and  Clyde.  Kittie  is 
deceased.  He  is  a  Democrat ;  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  As  a 
physician,  he  has  been  successful.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  young 
physicians  of  eastern  Illinois,  and  his  future  as  a  practitioner  indi- 
cates much. 

JAMES  EWING,  pioneer,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1804,  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Thompson)  Ewing,  is  the 
fourth  in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Ewing  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  his  mother 
of  North  Carolina.  His  parents  w^ere  deceased  in  Tennessee.  His 
father  had  attained  to  the  advanced  age  of  more  than  ninety  years. 
The  year  1827  dates  the  coming  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  to  Edgar 
County,  111.  There  he  resided  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  Cumber- 
land County.  He  is  one  of  the  few  men  yet  living  that  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  In  1.S33,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Rachel  Ewing,  an  own  cousin  of  his.  ]Mrs.  Ewing  died  in 
November  of  the   vcar  foUowina:,  '^'n'   he  was  next  married,  three 


NEOGA    TOWNiSllIl'.  327 

yc'tu-s  later,  to  Miss  Mary  Alexaiidor.  aiul  to  them  were  born  four 
Hoiis  and  four  (lauolitors,  viz.:  Milton  A.,  Sirus  K.,  George  F.,  Josiah 
A.,  Martha  V.,  Flora  E.,  Linda  J.,  and  Fnima  C.  Mrs.  Ewing  died 
in  May,  l.S()4,  since  which  time  Mr.  Ewing  has  remained  a  widower. 
In  1<S74,  he  (juit  the  I'arni  and  became  a  resident  of  Neoga,  but  still 
owns  a  farm,  which  is  moderately  well  improved,  and  is  locattnl  two 
miles  ea><t  of  Neoga.  Mr.  Ewins:  has  lonii"  been  a  thorough  advocate 
of  the  princii)les  of  Rei)ublicanism.  He  is  one  of  the  men  who  cast 
their  ])allots  in  what  was  known  as  the  AVabash  Precinct.  The 
Ewing  family  has  a  long  line  of  ancestors,  and  was  known  in  Amer- 
ica many  years  before  the  w'ar  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain.  Mr.  Ewing  is  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Illinois,  and  is  one 
of  its  representative  men. 

JAMES  M.  EWING,  farmer,  was  born  in  N'igo  County,  Ind., 
July  31,  182.5;  son  of  Alexander  and  Margaret  L.  ( McColloch)  Ewing, 
and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Ewing  were 
natives  of  East  Tennessee.  In  1824,  they  emigrated  to  Vigo  County, 
Ind.,  and  there  remained  two  years;  then  removed  to  Edgar  County, 
III.,  and  here  his  father  died  in  1851.  His  mother  died  in  Cumber- 
liind  County,  in  18GG.  In  18.")4,  the  subject  of  our  notice  came  to 
(Jumberland  County,  111.,  and  settled  three  miles  east  of  Neoga,  in 
Neog-.i  Township,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  His  marriage  took 
place  February  12,  1861,  to  Miss  Prudentia  T.  Stone.  Mrs.  Ewing 
was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.  They  have  three  children, 
viz.:  Whitney  L., Norton  E.,  and  James  T.  He  is  a  thorough  Repul)- 
lican.  In  1877,  Mr.  Ewing  was  elected  Supervisor  of  Neoga  Town- 
ship, and  served  three  terms.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  ;  made  a 
Mason  in  18(50.  He  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  successful  farmers  in 
Neoga  Township;  owns  239  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  a  prominent 
citizen  and  a  most  honorable  man.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewing  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
the  county. 

C  D.  GREENE,  general  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Gallia  County, 
Ohio;  l)orn  March  13,  1838,  is  the  son  of  C-  D.  and  Sarah  E.  (Porter) 
Greene,  the  third  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
English  extraction.  His  father  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  his  mother 
in  Ohio.  In  18.')7,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Cumberland  County,  111. 
Here  his  father  died  in  18(58.  His  mother  now  resides  in  Indianap- 
olis. Mr.  Greene's  paternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  The  schooling  of  the  subject  of  this  mention  was 
confined  to  the  conmion  schools  of  the  Buckeye  Strife.     He  enlisted 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTi": 

first  ill  the  three  months  service  at  the  beginning  ot  the  -^^-ar;  was  in 
the  first  regiment  that  went  to  the  service  from  Illinois.  He  re-en- 
listed in  Company  B,  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  January 
2,  1862,  for  three  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged  January  (5, 
18(35,  at  Savannah,  Ga.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth, 
Atlanta,  Fort  Donelsoii,  etc.  He  was  married  October  22,  1865, 
to  Sarah  E.  Bell.  Mrs.  Greene  is  a  native  of  Indiana.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  four  children,  viz.:  Conie  B.,  James  B.,  C  W., 
and  Charles  A.  The  first  two  are  dead.  After  his  marriage,  he  began 
farming.  In  May,  1866,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
Neoga,  and  in  this  has  since  continued.  In  1882,  he  built  the  brick 
block  he  now  occupies.  The  same  is  40x80  feet,  and  is  the 
b&st  constructed  and  most  conveniently  arranged  business  house  in 
Cumberland  County.  He  is  a  thorough  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Greene  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  one 
of  the  principal  merchants  in  eastern  Illinois;  his  stock  excels  any- 
thing in  Cumberland  Couut3\  He  is  a  man  of  many  fine  qualities, 
and  a  most  amiable  citizen. 

THOMAS  R.  HANCOCK,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Neoga 
Weekly  JSfews,  was  born  near  Greenup,  Cumberland  County,  111., 
December  30,  1843,  and  when  about  one  year  of  age  he  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  where  he  and  they 
remained  until  Thomas  was  about  sixteen  years  old,  when  all  returned 
to  Cumberland  County,  and  where  he  has  since  resided.  The  early 
life  of  Mr.  Hancock  was  divided  between  attending  school  and  work- 
ino-  on  the  farm.  Three  years  of  his  life  were  given  to  the  service  for 
the  protection  of  the  xVmcrican  flag,  enlisting  July  :li^,  1862,  as  a 
private  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry.  He  wjis 
soon  promoted  to  the  oflice  of  Corporal,  and  then  to  Sergeant.  He 
was  in  thirteen  hard-fought  battles.  After  returning  from  the  serv- 
ice, he  taujjht  school  for  a  time.  His  time  for  a  number  of  years 
was  divided  by  various  occupations,  viz.:  farming,  clerking  in  a 
store,  and  school  teaching,  until  he  purchased  the  Neoga  printing 
office  of  J.  L.  &  W.  H.  Allison.  For  five  years,  he  has  had  coini)lete 
control  of  the  paper,  and  has  been  instrumental  in  elevating  the 
standard  of  the  Neivs  and  greatly  increasing  its  circulation  and  influ- 
ence, until  it  now  stands  second  to  none  as  a  local  paper  in  southern 
Illinois.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  Hancock  took  place  November  1, 
1869,  to  Miss  Vinia  E.  Graham,  of  Vigo  County,  Indiana.  Mrs. 
Hancock  is  an  intelligent  and  most  amiable  woman.  He  is  a  thorough 
Republican,  and  an  influential  newspaper  man. 


NEOGA   T<)\\N>mP.  829 

WILLIAM  11.  IIAN'COL'K,  salesman  for  C  D.  Greene  and 
brother  of  Thomas  R.  Hancock,  editor  of  the  Xeoga  News,  was  born 
at  Hebron,  Ohio,  December  3,  1847,  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Leah 
(Wiseloy)  Hancock,  and  comes  of  P^ng-lish-Irish  blood.  When  the 
subject  of  our  notice  was  eleven  years  of  a^re  he  emigrated  from 
Ohio  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  and  made  settlement  near  the 
town  of  Neoga,  in  Xeoga  Township.  The  early  life  of  Mr.  Hancock 
was  spent  on  the  farm.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  beffan  the 
painting  business,  which  he  carried  on  during  the  summer  and  clerked 
in  a  store  in  the  winter.  In  this  way  his  time  was  divided  for  about 
four  years.  Since  1872  he  has  been  a  dry  goods  salesman,  and  has 
been  clerking  in  the  store  of  C.  D.  Greene  for  seven  years.  Decem- 
ber '22,  18()8,  he  was  united  by  the  marriage  vows  to  Miss  Huldah  J. 
vShore,  daughter  of  John  N.  Shore,  of  Clay  County,  Ind.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  six  children,  viz.:  Cora  E.,  Gertrude  L., 
Ora  B.,  Mary  A.,  Charles  B.  and  William  R.  Ora  B.  and  William 
R.  are  deceased.  The  principles  of  the  Repuljlican  party  are  closely 
adhered  to  and  supported  by  Mr.  Hancock.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Hancock  is  one 
of  the  sdf-made  and  self-informed  men  of  Cumberland  County,  and 
one  of  its  most  thorough  and  enterprising  representatives.  On  the 
general  topics  of  the  day  he  is  always  well  informed.  Mr.  Hancock 
is  taking  much  interest  in  the  education  of  his  children.  As  a  sales- 
man he  is  unexcelled  by  any  man  in  Cumberland  County.  He  is  a 
true  and  highly  respected  gentleman. 

WESLEY  HICKERNELL,  boot  and  shoe  dealer,  was  born  in 
Lisburn,  Cumberland  Co.,  Penn.,  June  10, 1832,  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Sarah  (Myers)  Hickernell,  the  second  in  a  family  of  three  children, 
and  is  of  German  descent.  While  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  yet 
in  his  infancy  his  father  was  deceased,  and  at  nine  yeavs  of  ao-e  he 
began  supi)orting  himself  and  making  his  own  way  in  life.  He 
worked  on  a  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  then  began  a  three 
years'  apprenticeship  at  the  shoemakers'  trade,  after  which  time  he 
and  an  older  brother  opened  a  shoe  shop  at  Andersonstown,  Penn. 
In  18,52  our  subject  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Madison  County, 
and  here  he  was  married  ]March  17,  1853,  to  Miss  J.  E.  Woods. 
Mrs.  Hickernell  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio.  They  hav^e  had 
six  children,  viz.:  Hettia,  Ora,  L.  W.,  Frank  M.,  Dollie  and  Delia. 
In  18.54  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  there  remained  two  years, 
and  then  came  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
east  of  Xeoga  anl  there  lived  until  1873,  when  ho  came  to  Xeosra  and 


.'i3U  BIOGHAPIIICAL    SKKTCIIES — CU]MBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

enoragetl  in  his  jjresent  occupation.  He  now  has  a  o^ood  stock  of 
boots  and  .shoe.-.  He  has  Democratic  proclivities;  cast  his  first  Pres- 
idential vote  for  James  Buchanan.  He  has  taken  an  active  i)art  in 
politics.  He  is  a  ^Nlason.  ^Ir.  H.  owns  130  acres  of  well  improved 
land,  and  one  of  the  best  boot  and  shoe  stores  in  Cumberland  County. 
He  has  made  his  own  way  through  life,  and  has  much  pioneer  experi- 
ence that  he  loves  to  rehite.  He  struggled  against  poverty  for 
several  years,  but  is  now  in  comfortable  circumstances.  They  are 
prominent  mem])ers  of  the  Methodi.st  Epi.scopal  Church.  He  is  one 
of  the  prominent  men  of  Neoga. 

ROBEKT  M.  HUNTER,  old  settler  and  farmer,  was  born  in  what 
was  Morgan,  but  now  Noble  County,  Ohio,  January  21,  1830,  son  of 
James  and  Martha  (Marshall)  Hunter,  is  the  third  in  a  family  of 
.seven  children,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  His  parents  were  born  ia 
Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Ohio  at  a  very  early  day.  They  died  in 
tliat  State.  The  marriage  of  the  subject  of  our  notice  occurred  May 
13,  1857,  to  Miss  Sarah  C.  Bailey.  Mrs.  Hunter  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Ohio.  They  have  six  children,  viz.:  Carrie  K., 
Lucy  L.,  Nellie,  Howard  B.,  Sarah  E.  and  Anna  S.  Mr.  Hunter 
came  to  Illinois  in  1858,  and  settled  in  Neoga  Township,  where  he 
still  lives,  and  owns  200  acres  of  well  improved  land,  located  three 
and  one  half  miles  northeast  of  Neoga.  He  is  a  Democrat;  cast 
his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Buchanan.  Mr.  Hunter  has  been  Road 
Commissioner  in  Neoga  Township  six  years.  They  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  leading  farmer  and  an  influential 
citizen.  When  he  came  to  Cumberland  County  he  made  settlement 
on  the  wild  prairie,  and  has  improved  the  same. 

JOHN  K.  KELLY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ind., 
October  19,  1817,  the  .son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Kelly)  Kelly, 
the  youngest  in  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  and  is  of  Irish  lineage. 
His  father  was  born  in  "  Old  Kaintuck,"  and  his  mother  in  Tennes- 
see. About  the  year  1805,  his  parents  emigrated  from  Kentucky 
aiid  settled  in  Clark  County,  Ind.  His  father  was  an  1812  soldier, 
and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Indiana.  The  marriage  of  the  subject 
of  this  notice  took  place  in  May,  1850,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Manaugh.  To 
this  union  were  born  four  children,  viz.:  Margaret  J.,  Otis  M., 
John  H.  and  Mary  C  Mrs.  Kelly  died  September  12,  1856.  Mr. 
Kelly  was  next  married,  January,  1800,  to  iSIrs.  ]\hiry  Neal  (formerly 
McLiin).  They  have  three  children,  viz.:  jVIartha  E.,  William  J., 
an<l  Lena.  Mr.  Kelly  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  in  the  fall 
of   18()4,  and  settled  in  Neoga  Township,  three  miles  northeast  ot 


neo(;a  t<)\v.\>iiii'.  33I 

Neo«r.'i.  IIoiv  he  h;i8  since  lived.  lie  owns  21i»  acres  of  well 
irai)r()ved  land,  and  is  one  of  the  successful  and  leadino-  farmers  of 
Neoiia  TowMsliip.  lie  is  a  Republican,  and  one  of  the  j)rominent 
men  of  Cunilu'rliind  County. 

THOMAS  LACV,  farmer,  was  born  in  Oldham  County,  Ky., 
October  10,  KS2o,,  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Lucy  (Willhite)  Lacy,  the 
second  in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  is  of  Enorlish-Gcrman  extrac- 
tion. His  parents  were  natives  of  Viroinia,  but  in  youth  were 
removed  to  Kentucky,  from  which  State  they  emigrated  to  Owen 
County.  Ind.,  when  the  sul)ject  of  this  mention  was  about  nine  years 
of  age.  The  paternal  grandtather  of  Mr.  Lacy  came  to  America 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  was  a  soldier  in  that  conflict. 
Until  Mr.  Lacy  had  gained  his  majority,  he  remained  at  home  and 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm;  after  this  time,  the  realities  of 
life  dawned  upon  him  for  himself.  His  marriage  took  place  August 
20,  1837,  to  Miss  Evaline  E.  Long.  They  had  eleven  children.  Mrs. 
Lacy  died  February  17,  1877.  He  was  next  married,  August  20, 
1879,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Elder.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children.  Mr.  Lacy  came  to  Cumberland  County  in  1S5(),  and  set- 
tled in  Neoga  Township,  and  here  he  now  resides.  He  owns  300 
acres  of  good  land.  He  is  one  of  the  many  who  came  up  through 
the  old  ^Vhig  line,  and  is  now  a  Republican.  Mr.  Lacy  has  been 
trustee  of  Neoga  Township  for  six  years,  and  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  thirty-eight  years.  Mr.  Lacy's 
first  wife  was  a  member  of  the  same  church,  but  his  present  Avife  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers  and  citizens  of  Neoga  Township,  and  an  honorable  Christian 
gentleman. 

B.  H.  J^AWSON,  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  was  born  in  Coles 
County,  111.,  April  2(>,  18.51,  is  the  son  of  Thomas  F.  and  America  A. 
( Worthani)  Liwson,  and  is  of  English-French  lineage.  His  parents 
were  born  in  Kentucky.  Iii  1840,  they  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Coles  County,  and  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  that 
pai-t  of  (Joles  County.  In  18:)2,  they  removed  to  Cuni])erland 
County,  and  here  his  father  died  in  \s:u.  The  subject  of  our  notice 
worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then 
he  began  trading  in  stock  for  Col.  T.  A.  Ai)person,  his'step-father. 
In  1872,  he  took  a  business  course  in  the  Terre  Haute  Commercial 
College,  and  graduated  from  that  school  in  December,  the  same  year. 
He  was  married  October  '2S,  1875,  to  Miss  Mary  Kelly.  Mrs.  Law- 
son  is  a  native  of  Clark  County.  Ind.     '|-hny  hav  had  three  children. 

20 


332  BFOGRAFMIICAL    SKKTCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTV. 

vi/.:  Lucv  A.,  Foiiroso.  and  Tracy  (dec-cased).  After  his  mar- 
riao-e.  he  bciran  ftirmiuir  on  that  i)art  of  the  okl  Lawson  homestead 
that  he  came  into  [)ossession  of  by  the  ileath  of  his  father.  He  now 
owns  28o  acres  of  well  improved  land,  which  is  one  of  the  best 
stock  fanns  in  Cumberland  County.  He  is  a  KepnlAican:  has  been 
Townshij)  Collector  for  three  years — 1878,  18711  and  1880.  In  1880, 
he  was  nominated  for  County  Clerk  in  the  Republican  convention, 
but  w^as  defeated  by  L.  W.  Brewster.  He  has  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  i)olitics.  He  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  younii-  men  and 
farmers  in  Cumberhmd  County.  Eneriry  and  industry  form  largely 
his  composition. 

J.  W.  MILLKH,  ex-C(mnty  dudire  and   farmer,  is  a  native  of 
(jhirk  County,  Ind.,theson  of  Martin  and  Susan  C.  (Mitchell)  Miller, 
born  December  8,  1828,  is  next  to  the  younsfest  in  a  family  of  ten 
children,  and  comes  of  German  blood.     His  parents  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  and   were  born  near   the  City   of  Brotherly   Love. 
They  emigrated  from  Indianfi  to  Cumberland  C(nmty,  HI.,  in  a  very 
early  day.     In  this  county  they  were  deceased,  father  in   1870  and 
mother  six  years  hiter.    When  the  subject  of  this  mention  had  gained 
his   majority,  he   began   life's  battle  for  himself     He  was  awarded 
the  advantages  and  privileges  of  much  more  than  an  (U'dinary  edu- 
cation, and  Mr.  Miller  made  good   us-^  of  these   blessings.     For  a 
number  of  years  he  taught  school,  and  was  considered  a  most    suc- 
cessful teacher.     In  1 8r)2,  Mr.  Miller  came  to  Cumberland  County, 
and    settled    in    Neoga    Township,    where    he    began    improving    a 
tarin.     On  the  1st  of  January,  18.32,  he  was   united   in  marriage  to 
Miss  Louisa  E.  K(^tcliam,  who  was  also  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  Stute. 
To  this  union  have   been  born  twelve   children,  viz.:   Amanda  ,h  .]., 
Meltidas.  Margaret  B.,  America   A.  M..    Ella,  dames  M.,  Mary  E., 
Sai-ah  L.,  Cora  A..   Lora,   Cliarlcs  L..  and  Ira   O-     Politically.  Mr. 
.Vliller  is  known  as  an  Independent,  but  of  late  years  he   has  been 
casting  his  vote  with   the  Rei)ublicans.     In    1873.   he  was  elected 
County  Judo-e  of  Cumberland  County,  on  the    Independent  ticket, 
and  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  in   1877.     Mr.  Miller  is  one  of 
the  leading  husl)an(lmen  in  the  county,  and  a  most  prominent  citizen. 
Th  '  family  is  extensively  known  and  greatly  resjiected. 

D.VN'II)  XEAL.  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  is  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  l)orn  dune  27.  182(i.  son  of  Daniel  and  Letitia  (l*erdue) 
Neal,  is  the  second  eldest  in  a  family  of  twelve  children,  and  is  of 
Frem^h-Irish  blood.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Neal  were  also  natives  of 
North  Oaroliua  and  earlv  settlers  of  Indiana,  having  in    1831  end- 


NEOGA    TOWNSIIII'.  833 

gratod  to  Wayne  County,  that  State.  His  father  \va>  one  of  the 
most  enterprisino-  and  prominent  of  Indiana's  <'arly  men.  The  Dem- 
oeratie  i)arty  always  had  in  him  a  true  representative  and  earnest 
advoeate.  I  lis  death  oeenrred  in  Wavne  County,  Indiana,  in  1845. 
Tlie  mother  of  Mr.  Neal  now  resides  in  Randolph  County,  of  that 
State.  When  the  twenty-seeond  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  the  sub- 
Jeet  of  this  mention  eame  round,  it  found  him  out  in  the  sea  of  life 
for  himself.  Feluuary  12.  l.s.')0,  he  Mas  l)y  the  holy  bonds  of  matri- 
mony united  in  marriaire  to  ^Nliss  Martha  Kainier,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey.  To  this  union  have  been  l)orn  five  ehildren.  viz.:  Sarah  E., 
William  K.,  John  C,  Benjamin  F.  and  Mary  A.  Of  these,  three  are 
livino-.  In  18(;5  Mr.  Neal  came  to  Cumberland  County,  and  settled 
in  Neoga  Township,  Avhere  he  has  si  nee  resided.  Mr.  Neal  now  owns 
200  acres  of  good  land.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  in 
Cuml)erland  County,  and  one  of  the  most  productive.  He  is  one  of 
those  men  that  believes  in  the  advancement  of  science  in  agriculture 
a.s  much  as  anything  else,  and  the  condition  of  his  farm  warrants 
such  fact.  Politically,  Mr.  Neal  has  Democratic  convictions,  and  is 
one  of  the  leaders  of  his  ])arty  in  the  county.  In  1 880  he  was  elected 
Supervisor  of  Neoga  I'ownship,  and  served  one  term.  Mr.  Neal  is  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  (|ualifications,  and  is  well-informed  on 
all  the  leadino-  issues  of  the  day.     He  is  worthy  of  the  extensive 

*  •  « 

res])ect  that  he  commands. 

JOHN  PETERS,  farmer  and  liveryman,  was  born  in  vSwitzerland 
County,  Indiana,  July  4,  1S22.  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret 
(Dunn)  Peters,  the  second  eldest  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and 
is  of  German  descent.  The  father  of  Mr.  Petei-s  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  his  mother  of  Kentucky.  His  parents  were  among-  the 
early  comers  of  Cumlierland  County,  Illinois.  His  father  died  in  this 
<ounty,  in  187,').  and  his  mother  was  deceased  in  Coles  County,  in 
1.S80.  The  early  i)art  of  the  life  of  the  subject  of  this  mention  was 
spent  on  a  farm  in  his  native  State,  and  then  he  was  united  in 
marriage  April  10,  1.S4-'),  to  Miss  Louvisia  Hugle.  Mrs.  Peters  is  a 
native  of  Hamilton  ( bounty.  Ohio.  To  this  marriage  have  been  born 
eight  children,  viz.:  William  IL,  Margaret,  Napoleon  B.,  Julia  Ann, 
John  W.,  James  B.,  Ellen  and  Charb^s  N.  In  18()5  Mr.  Peters  came 
to  Neoga  Township,  Cumberland  County,  and  i)urchased  160  acres  of 
raw  prairie,  and  this  farm  he  began  imi)roving  the  next  year.  Mr. 
Petei-s  now  owns  224  acres  of  well  improved  land  just  south  ot  Neo<ra. 
He  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  James  K.  Polk,  and  has  been  a 
life-long  Democrat.     In  July,  1  ns3.  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business 


334  BIOGRAPHICAL    SItETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

ill  Neooa..  and  the  same  has  been  successful  beyond  his  expectation. 
His  fother  Avas  a  sohlier  in  the  1812  and  Black  Hawk  wars.     Mr. 
Peters  enjoys  an  extensive  acquaintance  and  commands  much  respect. 
W.  Vy.  PHILLIPS,  tanner  and  tile  manufacturer,  was  born  in 
Madison  County,  New  York,  Fe])ruary  17,  1824,  the  son  of  Bruzilla 
and  Betsey  (Heminway)  Philli])s,  and  is  of  Scotch  extraction.     The 
parents  of  Mr.  Phillips  were  born  in  Massachusetts.     His  father  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  paternal  grandfather  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.     His  father  died  in  New  York,  in  1851. 
In  1837  the  subject  of  our  notice  came  to  Allen  County,  Indiana,  and 
settled  northeast  of  Fort  Wayne.     In  1854  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  State.     In  1857  he  came  to 
Cumberland  County,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Neoga  Township,  and 
here  he  has  since  lived.     He  was  married  October  19,  1843,  to  Miss 
Nancy  McCourtney,  of  Allen  County,  Indiana.     Tliey  have  four  chil- 
dren.    In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Fifth  Illinois  Cav- 
aliy;  was  discharged  on  account  of  ill-health,  March,  18G3.     For  a 
number  of  years  Mr.  Phillips  was  interested  in  the  Neoga  Mill.     In 
the  fall  of  1882  he  be<j:an  the  manufacture  of  drainaafe  tile.     Thefac- 
tory  has  a  capacity  of  making  ()0,000  tile  (ditierent  sizes)  per  month; 
has  a  splendid  shed  40x170  feet.     There  is  in  connection  two  exten- 
sive kilns.     Mr.  Phillips  is  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  known  as 
Phillips  &  Dow.     He  is  a  Republican  and  a  Mason.     He  has  been 
Treasurer  of  Neoga  Lodge,  No.  279,  for  sixteen  years.     He  is  one  of 
the  extensive  farmers  of  Neoga  Township.     The  tile  factory  is  one, 
of  the  best  in  Cumberland  County.     He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
Neoga,  and  one  of  its  principal  citizens. 

HENRY  H.  REX,  dry  goods  clerk,  was  born  in  ]\Iifflin  County, 

Peiin.,  December  26,  1835,  is  the  son  of  Henry  and (Barn hart) 

Rex,  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  three  children,  and  is  of  German  lin-i 
cage.  The  Rex  family  came  originally  from  Reading,  Penn.  In 
183G,  it  removed  from  Lancaster  to  Mifflin  Countv,  Penn.,  and  there 
his  father  was  murdered,  in  1836,  for  money  that  he  was  supposed 
to  have  had  on  his  person.  The  body  was  never  foinid.  His  mother 
died  when  he  was  six  weeks  old,  and  his  father  was  murdered  when 
he  was  about  seven  weeks  old.  In  his  infancy,  he  was  in  the  care  of 
a  Avidovv  lady  by  the  name  of  Margaret  Ilaller,  and  was  supjiorted 
by  Dcrry  Townshij),  in  Mifflin  County,  Penn.  The  detormity  of 
Mr.  Rex  is  (lu(!  to  (^rucd  treatment  in  infancy,  previous  to  his  ]>eiiig 
placed  in  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Haller.  The  township  supported  him 
until  he  was  nine  years  of  age.     In  1854,  he  began  clerking  in  a  drug 


NEOGA    TOWNSHir.  335 

:and  hardware  store  in  Lowistown,  Ponn.  In  1860,  ho  left  that  posi- 
tion and  came  to  Logan  County,  Ohio,  and  there  remained  until 
1861,  Avhen  he  emigrated  to  Edgar  County,  111.  In  1866.  he  came 
to  Neoga  Township,  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  one  year  hiter 
came  to  Neoga,  and  here  he  still  resides.  He  was  married  Septem- 
ber :^0,  1S65,  to  Miss  Harriet  M.  Evving.  Mrs.  Rex  is  a  native  of 
Edgar  County,  111.  They  have  had  two  children,  viz.:  Oliver  S-  and 
Minnie  B.  He  is  a  Kepulilican.  Mr.  Rex  has  served  as  Township 
Clerk  and  Town  Clerk  for  six  years;  he  is  at  present  a  member  of 
the  Town  Council.  He  has  been  a  salesman  for  twenty-one  years, 
and  is  the  second  oldest  salesman  in  Neoga.  Mr.  Rex  has  more  than 
an  ordinary  education,  which  he  obtained  under  the  most  trying 
circumstances,  paying  liis  own  way  through  college.  He  is  a  most 
aftable  and  pleasant  gentleman. 

T.  J.  SHORT,  general  merchant,  was  born  in  Randol[)h  County, 
III.,  March  11,  1856:  son  of  Thomas  E.  and  Sarah  (Harmon)  Short, 
and  is  of  Irish-English  extraction.  His  parents  are  natives  of  Ran- 
dolph County,  III.  The  Short  family  was  first  known  in  Kentucky, 
and  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1819.  The  subject  of  our  notice  remained 
at  home  and  worked  on  the  farm  for  his  father  until  he  had  attained 
his  majority.  In  the  fall  of  1879,  he  came  to  Neoga  and  engaged  in 
general  merchandising,  and  in  that  he  has  since  continued.  He  has 
been  successful  beyond  his  own  expectations.  Mr.  Short  has  $5,000 
invested  in  his  business,  which  is  steadily  increasing.  He  is  a 
thorough  Republican;  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Hayes.  He 
is  one  of  the  promising  young  ])usiness  men  of  Neoga,  and  a  thorough 
gentleman.  By  energy  and  industry  he  has  succeeded,  and  his  pros- 
pects for  a  prosperous  life  each  year  become  more  extensive.  Mr. 
Short  already  has  a  trade  that  has  l^ecome  extensive,  and  his  cus- 
toniei*s  are  known  for  miles  around.  In  his  store  vou  can  always 
find  choice  goods  at  prices  within  the  means  of  all. 

W.  H.  SINGER,  miller,  was  born  in  AA'ayne  Count}',  Ohio,  Jul}' 
24,  1841,  is  the  son  of  Christian  and  Mar}'  A.  (Lowe)  Singer,  and  is  of 
German-English  extraction.  His  parents  were  born  in  P(?nnsyl- 
vania.  In  1820  the}'  emigrated  to  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  and  there 
remained  until  the  fall  of  1882  when  tl^py  came  to  Neoga,  where  they 
now  reside.  The  grandfathers  were  soldiers  in  the  Avar  of  1812. 
During  the  boyhood  days  of  the  subject  of  this  mention  he  Avorked 
on  his  father's  tarm.  In  1858  he  began  learning  the  millers"  trade 
at  Wooster,  in  the  mill  of  A.  Jolllft',  serving  an  apprenticeshi[)  of 
three  years.     He  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  his  country  in  April.  18(n, 


33fi  HKxnMi'inrM,  skkt(hk>     (tmrkklani)  (ointy: 

in  Conipanv  E,  P'ourth  Ohio  Voluiitt'cr  Infaiiti-v.  In  June  tbUowiua: 
here-enlisted  in  the  sum.'  compjiiiv  :iu<l  n-giment  for  three  years; 
was  in  many  hanl-foui^ht  battles.  He  was  wountlcd  at  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  on  the  (5th  of  .May.  I8»j3,  and  discharirod  Jnne  o, 
18»)3.  After  r('tnrninf>-  from  the  service  he  attended  school  six 
months.  Ill  1S()-1:  he  came  to  Charleston.  111.,  and  for  two  years  was 
foreman  in  Tinkey's  mill.  In  18158  he  went  to  Tipton.  .Mo.,  and  for 
fonr  years  was  foreman  in  the  Tipton  Mills.  Mr.  Singer  came  to 
Neoii-a  in  I.S74.  and  leased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  Xeoofa  mill  for 
one  year.  He  pnichascd  a  one-third  interest  in  the  mill  in  187'),  and 
one  year  later  he  owned  a  one-half  interest.  In  18S2  he  became  the 
sole  pr()[)rietor  and  owner  of  the  Neoira  mill.  The  mill  (one  of  the 
best  in  Cumberland  County)  was  built  in  1N(5;),  re-built  in  1881. 
The  "  roller  '  system  was  put  in  in  duly,  18So.  The  mill  has  a  capacity 
of  fifty  barrels  of  tiour  per  day,  and  meal  one  hundred  barrels  per  day. 
The  machinery  throuiihout  is  of  modern  im])rovement.  T'hcHonris 
equal  in  quality  to  any  manufactured  in  eastern  Illinois.  Mr.  Singer 
was  married  Oetober24,l.S(57,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Lewis,  of  Charleston, III. 
Mrs.  Singer  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, viz.:  ]\Iinnie  \.  and  Dollie  K.  He  is  a  He[)ul)liean,  cast  his  first 
Presidential  vote  for  Lincoln,  and  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  Iiepul> 
lican  cause.  He  is  one  of  tluMuost  enterprising,  and  one  of  the  snb- 
stantial  business  men  of  Cund)erland  Comity.  lie  was  a  good  soldier, 
and  is  a  most  amiable  citizen  and  gentleman. 

B.  R.  SPENCEK,  miller,  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ky.,  Sep- 
tember 5, 1834,  is  the  .son  of  David  and  Rachael  (Long)  Spencer,  and 
is  of  Scotch-German  lineage.  When  the  subject  of  this  notice  wjis 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  began  learning  the  trade  of  an  engineer.  In 
1853  he  began  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  millers'  trade.  His 
life,  for  the  most  part,  has  been  that  of  a  miller  and  engineer.  In  1  Hiu) 
he  emigrated  to  Cumberland  County,  III.,  and  .settled  in  Neoga,  and 
has  since  resided  here.  For  six  yeai-s  after  coming  to  Xeoga  he  was 
engineer  in  the  .Veoga  Mills.  In  1<S71  he  began  discharging  similar 
duties  in  the  Xeoga  City  Mill.  Since  l.s7i>  he  has  been  the  miller  in 
the  Xeoga  City  mill,  and  also  general  manager  of  the  mill.  His 
marriage  took  iilace  February  !l,  1S(50,  to  Miss  Emaline  Davis.  Mrs. 
Spencer  was  also  born  in  Kentucky,  rhey  have  five  chihlren.  John 
W.,  James  B.,  Ora  V.,  William  M.  and  Leslie  AV.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Fillmore.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity,  and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  I.  O-  O-  F. 
Xeoga  Lodge,  No.  Ml.    They  are  membei-s  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


\EOQA    TOWNSHIP.  837 

(. Church.     As  a  iiiillcr  his  ro]mtatif)n  stands  second  to  none  in  C'nnihor- 
hind  County,     lie  is  an  lionoral)l('  citizen  and  a  pleasant  ijenlleman. 

MRS.  A.  K.  STONE,  dealer  in  millinery,  fancy  ^o(jds  and  notions, 
was  born  in  (Hncinnati,  Ohio,  Jainiary  12,  1844,  daughter  of  John 
an<l  Maria  Bradinan,  who  were  natives  of  the  Old  English  Empire. 
Mrs.  Stone  comes  of  pure  English  blood.  Her  father  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1810,  and  her  mother  some  years  later.  Her  parents  were 
among  the  pioneei-s  of  the  Queen  City,  where  they  lived  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  moved  to  Kentucky  where  they  resided  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  when  they  emigrated  to  Cmnberland 
County,  III.,  and  settled  in  Xeoga,  but  sul)se(iuently  removed  to 
Beardstown,  III.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  in  Neoga,  and 
for  a  series  of  years  taught  school,  at  which  she  was  most  successful. 
The  marriage  of  Mrs.  Stone  occurred  November  2H,  18(j5,  to  Mr.  J. 
M.  Stone,  a  native  of  tlu^  Empire  State.  Since  1<S70  Mrs.  Stone  has 
been  eng-aged  in  the  millinery  and  notion  business.  With  a  cash 
capital  of  $L")()  the  business  was  commenced,  but  the  same  has 
increased  to  at  least  §3,000.  Her  stock  of  goods  is  unequaled  in 
Cumberland  County,  an<l  thirteen  years  of  active,  energetic  business 
and  practical  experience  places  her  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  millinery 
trade.  Mr.  Bradman  is  a  man  of  much  prominence  and  has  always 
been  a  strong  anti-slavery  advocate,  and  removed  north  in  18G1  lest 
his  sons  should  bi*  made  to  do  service  in  the  rebel  army.  After 
«'omin'''  to  Illinois  two  of  his  sons  became  soldiers  in  the  Union 
Army.  Mrs.  Stone  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  citizens  of  Cum- 
berland County,  and  is  one  of  the  principal  business  representatives 
of  Neoga.  She  is  one  of  the  leading  workers  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  Sabbath  school,  a  thorough  temperance  advocate,  and 
one  of  the  most  eminent  women  in  southern  Illinois.  Mr.  Stone 
has  been  in  ill  health  lor  twelve  years,  and  has  spent  much  money  and 
traveled  extensively  to  regain  his  h«ilth,  ))ut  all  to  no  avail.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  [)olitics. 

LUKE  VAUGHN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Indiana, 
.January  !•,  1841,  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Isabella  (Hooley)  Vaughn, 
the  youngest  in  a  family  of  five  children,  and  is  of  German-English 
extraction.  His  father  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  his  mother  in  Indi- 
ana. His  parents  came  to  Cumberland  County,  Illinois,  in  18/)6,  and 
settled  in  Neoga  Township,  and  hen;  his  fath(!r  dwd  in  187<).  His 
mother  still  resides  in  Neoga  Township.  The  subject  of  this  notice 
was  married  December  23,  18»Jo,  to  Miss  Mary  Groscup.  Mi's.  Vaughn 
was  born  in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,      riiey  have  had   these  chil- 


338  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

(Iron,  viz.:  Thomas,  Isabelle,  Louisa,  Nancy,  Lucetta,  John  \V.,  Maiy 
E.  and  Fh)rence.  Mr.  Vaii£rhn  now  owns  140  acres  of  oood  hind,  the 
same  being  a  })art  ot'theohl  \'aughn  homestead.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics.,  and  a  leadinof  citizen.  Mrs,  Vauirhn  died  October  24. 
1882.  She  was  a  most  amiable  woman  and  beloved  by  all  who 
i^new  her. 

FKAXKLIX  D.  A'ORIS,  dealer  in  strain,  hav,  ofeneral  farm  ma- 
chineiy  and  livestock,  was  born  in  Bath,  Summit  County,  Ohio,  April 
7,  1846,  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Julia  (Coe)  Voris,  and  is  of  Dutch- 
English  lineage.  His  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1799,  and 
his  mother  in  Connecticut,  in  1808.  They  emigrated  to  Summit 
County,  Ohio,  at  a  very  early  day,  and  were  among  the  pioneers  of 
that  county.  His  father  represented  Sunnnit  County  in  the  Lower 
House  of  the  General  Assembly,  of  Ohio,  from  1844  to  1840.  In 
1857  the  Voris  family  came  to  Coles  County,  111.,  and  here  the  mother 
of  Mr.  Voris  was  deceased  the  year  following,  and  his  father  died  in 
1880.  The  paternal  grandi^arcnt  of  the  subject  of  this  brief,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  At  seventeen  v:ears  of  aoe  Mr.  \'oris 
began  learning  the  jewelers'  trade  in  ^lattoon.  At  this  he  contin- 
ued to  work  for  five  years.  In  18(58  he  came  to  Xeoga.  Cumberland 
County,  m..  and  immediately  engaged  in  the  grain  and  live  stock 
business,  in  partnership^with  a  man  by  the  name  of  Mc Andrew.  The 
firm  was  then  styled  McAndrcAv  &  Voris,  and  of  which  Mr.  A'oris 
was  the  junior  member  of  the  firm  and  general  manager.  In  187(5. 
Mr.  Voris  assumed  sole  control  and  OAvnership  of  the  l)usiness,  and 
has  been  doing  a  very  extensive  business  since;  has  for  the  past 
five  years  done  an  average  business  of  $100,000  annually;  business 
increasing  each  year,  he  employing  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  men. 
He  came  to  Neoga  in  limited  circumstances,  but  now  has  good 
credit.  He  was  married  at  Mattoon,  111.,  January  19,  1870,  to  Miss 
Lockie  McMum.  Mrs.  Voris  is  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
born  in  184G.  They  have  had  born  to  them  five  children,  viz.:  an 
infant  that  died  unnamed,  Rtiy,  Alvin  M.,  Henry  C.,  and  Lovis  ]M.  He 
is  a  thorough  Kepublicau;  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  man  of  much  force  of  character,  and  is 
greatly  respected.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Voris  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  A'oris  had  five  brothers  in  th(^  late  war.  viz.: 
Col.  A.  C.  Henr}',  Capt.  Sanmel,  Willis  and  Hoswell  U.,Avliodicd  in 
Andersonville  prison.  Two  othei-s  died  of  injuries  received  in  the 
sei-vice,  and  the  tAvothat  are  yet  living  were  severely  woimded.  The 
Voris  family  has  always  been  noted  for  its  patriotic  principles  and 
dtwotion  to  countrv  and  Hai»-. 


^    ,>f~   jV    neoga  TowNsinr.  339 

CAPTAIN  MAHLON  V()TA^^^  fuinituro  dealer  and  imder- 
Uiker,  was  born  in  Columbiana  County.  Ohio.  November  S,  182fi,  the 
son  of  Isaac  and  Susanna  (  Woohnan )  Votaw,  and  is  of  French-Scotch 
descent.  His  father  was  born  in  Loudoun  ( 'ountv,  Va..  and  his  mother 
in  the  State  of  New  Jersey.  In  l.so;)  his  falhei-  came  to  the  territory 
that  now  composes  Cohnnbiana  County,  Ohio.  In  that  county  he  died 
in  18")!,  and  his  mother  in  the  same  county  in  1H81.  The  subject  ot 
this  mention  at  the  aae  of  twenty  years  l)e^an  millwrightini>-; 
worked  at  the  trade  four  veai-s  in  Ohio.  In  IS'jo  lie  came  to  Cum- 
berland  (/Ountv,  111.,  and  assisted  in  erectinsr  tho-Greenup  Mills. 
He  was  married  January  2.").  185;"),  to  Miss  Josei)hine  Baker.  They 
had  two  children,  viz.:  Otis  and  Francis  M.  The  first  is  deceased. 
Mi-s.  VotaAv  died  in  December,  18r)8.  He  was  next  married  October 
25,  1859,  to  Miss  Delilah  Reece,  To  this  nnion  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren, viz.:  LMnan  T.,  Mar^■  K.,  Oran  M.,  Susan,  Alice,  Alvin  E.  and  ,  ,.^ 
Willie.  Mrs.  Yotaw  died  April  G,  1873,  and  for  his  third  \vife  he 
man-ied,  September  2,  1883,  Mrs.  Marcella  Comstock,  who  is  a  nati\e 
of  Rii)ley  Connty,  Ind.  In  August,  1862.  Mr.  Yotaw  enlisted  in  ^  -x. 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  in  Company  B,  (Jne  Hundred  and  Twenty-  '  ^»/i|<W-t?i 
Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private, and  as  such  served 
one  month,  and  then  promoted  to  th(^  position  of  Orderly  Sergeant. 
He  was  made  First  Lieutenant,  August  12,  181)3,  Captain,  April 
25,  18()4,  and  was  discharged,  July,  1^^(55,  at  Springfield,  111.  He  was 
at  the  V)attles  of  Perryville,  Hoover's  Gap,  Chickamauga.  the  siege 
of  Atlanta,  etc.  The  war  over,  and  Mr.  \^otaw  is  found  at  Neoga, 
engaged  in  the  furnitm-e  business.  For  nniny  years  he  has  taken 
an  active  part  in  i)()litics,  and  been  one  of  the  party  leaders  in  Cum- 
berland County.  He  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  public-spirited, 
wide-awake  men  in  the  county,  and  has  always  advocated  and 
aided  all  public  improvements  that  have  been  for  the  good  of  the 
county.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  movement  of  Neoga's  sec- 
ond railroad,  in  1872 — a  i-omi^any  known  as  the  Paris,  Neoga  & 
Saint  Louis  Railway  Company,  of  which  company  Mr.  Votaw  was 
president.  In  1881,  a  new  company,  styled  the  Charleston,  Neoga 
&  Saint  Louis  Railroad  Company  was  formed,  and  of  this  he  was 
also  president.  Mr.  Votaw  was  a  brave  and  true  soldier,  and  is  a 
citizen  of  honorable  worth  and  distinction. 

J.  T.  WALLACE,  meat-dealer  and  fruit  merchant,  was  born 
in  Dearborn  County,  Ind..  March  (i,  1845,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Lanca.ster)  Wallace,  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  four  children, 
and  is  of  Scotch-German   lineaije.     In   18(53,  Mr.   Wallace  came  to 


340  BIOGHAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CLMHKH1.\M>    (OINTV: 

CunilK'rland  Counly,  ill,  and  t'or  live  v«-ars  lived  and  tanned  in 
Xeoga  Townsliip,  and  then  romovod  toCentralia.  Marion  County,  and 
enora_ire<l  in  i»Towin«-  all  kinds  oftVnit.  In  1M7N,  he  returned  to  Cum- 
berland County,  and  has  here  sinee  resided.  The  marriage  of  Mr. 
Walhuo  to  Miss  Laura  Stevens  took  plaee  September  H,  18<)l>.  They 
have  three  ehildren,  viz.:  Minnie  E.,  Edgar,  and  Clarence.  In  Sep- 
tember, l.Ss;j,  Mr.  Wallace  engaged  in  the  meat-market  business  in 
Neosra.  The  business  of  fruit-2-rowini»-  he  is  still  interested  in,  and 
in  which  he  is  having  much  success.  His  orchards  and  vineyards  at 
Xeoga  are  very  extensive,  and  each  year  he  continues  to  make  addi- 
tions. Mr.  \\'allace  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  small-fruit  dealers 
and  shippers  in  Cumberland  County.  In  l<S<s3,  he  became  the  pat- 
entee of  ••  The  ( 'ommon  Sense  Tree  Protector,*'  which  has  i)roved  to 
be  a  most  valuable  invention.  Mr.  Wallace  is  a  stanch  Rej)ublican 
in  politics. 

CAPTAIN  A.  T.  WELMAN,  tanner  and  stock -dealer,  was  Ixmi 
in  OMham  County,  Ky.,  December  7, 182N,  the  son  of  Andrew  A.  and 
Elizabeth  (Williams)  Welman.  and  is  of  English-German  extraction. 
His  father  was  born  in  Virginia  and  his  mother  in  Kentucky,  and  hi 
1845,  they  emigrated  to  ^Morgan  County,  Ind.  Captain  Wehnan  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  Fourth  Indiana  Kegiment  of  the^NIexican  service;  served 
about  two  years,  then  returned  to  Indiana.  He  was  married  Decem- 
ber 18,  1849,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Pruett.  They  had  three  children. 
Mrs.  Welman  died  in  18"),").  He  was  next  married  in  18.')!>.  to  Miss 
Mary  Greenlee,  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  This  union  has  had  four 
children  born  to  it,  Ca|)tain  Welman  enlisted  in  the  late  Rebellion 
.June  23,  bSlil.  in  Company  A,  Twenty-Third  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  a  private.  August  <!,  18()1.  he  was  connnissioned  (Cap- 
tain of  his  Company.  He  resigned  his  command  .January  12.  1<S()3, 
on  the  account  of  ill-health.  On  the  lath  of  June  18(53,  he  re-en- 
listed in  Comi)anyD,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volun- 
teers; was  Ca|)tain  of  that  Company.  He  received  his  final  dis- 
charge in  October,  18(14.  In  1.S7S,  he  removed  with  his  family  t() 
Shelby  County,  III.,  and  there  renniined  until  1«S82.  when  he  removed 
to  Cumberland  County,  111.,  now  residijig  two  and  a  hall'  miles  east 
of  Neoga.  He  has  224  acres  of  good  land,  lie  is  a  ^Mason;  made 
such  in  iSCtl.  lie  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  citizens  of 
Cumberland  County.     They  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CAPTAIxN  Phillip"  WELSHIMER  is  a  native  of  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio,  born  November!.  1M2(>,  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Cathe- 


NEOG A    ToWNSini'.  341 

riiio  (  l*(^1tM-s)  \N dsliimci'.  and  is  of  (ici'maii  lincair*'-  Hi>  tathcr  was 
born  ill  l\'imsylvani:i  and  hi.s  inotlicr  in  Marvluiul.  The  Gazette 
and  Express  publishes  as  t'oUows.  in  its  issue  of  April  12,  1844,  at 
Laneaster,  Ohio,  conceruinii  tiie  death  of  the  i:raiidparents  of  the. 
Captain  on  his  mother's  side:  ••Died,  on  Mareh  Hh  last,  at  his 
rcsi<lence  in  Clear  Creek  Tow  iiship.  Abraham  Peters,  at  the  advauecd 
ago  of  eiiihtv-four  yoai"H,  seven  months  aiul  eiijht  days.  On  the  4th 
Inst.,  his  a<»-ed  widow  followed  him  to  the  world  of  spirits.  She  had 
attained  the  age  of  eii»ht3'-four  years,  one  month  and  seven  days.  This 
departed  pair  were  amonii'  the  tirst  settlers  of  (.'lear  Creek  Township, 
and  had  lon^-  endured  together  the  privations  and  liardshij)s  of  a  pio- 
neer life.  They  had  been  united  in  Avedloek  sixty-four  years,  an<l  lt;ft 
twelve  children,  ninety-six  o-rand-ehildren,  and  one  hundred  and 
sixtv-four  ii-reat-iirandehildren,  and  one  of  the  fourth  generation. 
Amonii'  all  their  descendants,  onlv  owv  had  died  in  the  liist  forty 
years."  The  early  life  of  Captain  \\''cdshimer  wsis  spent  in  working 
on  a  farm  and  clerking  in  a  store.  The  spring  of  IS4S,  dates  the 
coming  of  this  man  to  Cumberland  Count}',  and  his  settlement  in 
Cottonwood  Township,  where  he  remained  two  years  and  then 
removed  to  Greenup  and  engaged  in  general  merchandising,  and 
remained  until  the  spring  of  1?^.") 7,  when  he  came  to  Neoga.  In  18(50 
he  engagcMl  in  the  merchandise  business,  and  in  this  he  continued 
until  his  enlistment  in  the  United  States  Army.  lie  assisted  in 
raising  the  tirst  t(Mi  regiments  sent  out  by  tin?  State  of  Illinois.  He 
enlisted  in  ('ompany  i>,  Twentv-First  Illinois  Infantrv,  and  soon 
after  his  enlistment  he  was  elect(^d  First-Lieutenant  of  the  Company. 
Immediatidy  after  the  battle  of  Stone  Kiver,  he  was  commis.sioned 
Captain  of  his  Company  on  the  account  of  meritorious  conduct  at 
that  battle,  lie  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Chiekamauga, 
and  was  held  as  a  [)risoner  of  Avar  for  seventeen  months.  For  seven 
months  he  withstood  the  miseries  and  illsof  the  famed  Libby  Prison. 
He  was  discharged  at  Saint  Louis,  May,  181).").  In  18()8,  Captjiin 
WelshiiiKU"  was  connnissioned  [)ostmaster  at  Neoga.  This  position 
he  still  retains.  The  Neoga  ijostoftice  is  one  of  the  most  comi)letely 
arranged  and  systematically  managed  othces  in  the  State.  He  is 
assistc(l  in  the  otHce  by  Miss  Eva  Henderson.  In  185(),  ^Captain 
Welshimer  was  commissioned  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  has  held  the 
office  for  more  than  a  (juarter  of  a  century.  He  was  married,  in  1847, 
to  Miss  Julia  Pickering.  They  had  six  children,  vi/.:  KUen  R., 
Alice  W.,  Theodore  M.,  who  was  accidently  killiMl  April,  18»)0,  by 
the  burstinir  of  an  an\  il  that   was  used  in  celebratinii-   Lee's  surren- 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTi': 

der;  Lucv  A..  Cliarlcs.  and  P'redt'rick  G.  Mrs.  Welshimn-  diet! 
March  12.  1871.  Ho  was  next  niarried,  in  1S72.  to  Miss  Malinda 
MeXntt.  Two  children  have  boon  born  to  them,  viz.:  Frank  M.. 
and  Philli]).  ('a])tain  Welshinier  is  a  trne  Repnidican  and  a  man  of 
sterlino-  merit. 

WILLIAM  RICHAKI)  WHITE,  natnral  mechanic  and  patentee 
ot  many  inventions,  Avas  born  in  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  B.W.  and  Eliz- 
abeth White.  The  early  life  of  Mr.  White  was  one  of  depression,  sor- 
row poverty  and  sore  affliction,  and  was  mainly  spent  in  Cumberland 
Countv.  111.  For  two  vears.  however,  he  lived  with  his  i)arents  in 
Coles  County.  At  one  year  of  age,  he  was  depri\ed  of  the  use  of 
his  eyes,  and  in  this  condition  he  remained  for  eight  years.  At 
eleven  years  of  age,  he  had  recovered  his  sight  to  such  an  extent 
that  he  bei^an  attendino-  school.  At  eisfhteen  vears  of  aire,  he  besfan 
teaching  school,  at  which  occupation  he  continued  about  fourteen 
.years,  and  was  one  of  the  most  noted  pedagogues  of  his  day.  In 
addition  to  his  school-teachinof,  he  tauaht  sinofina-school  and  deliA  - 
ered  lectures  on  astronomy.  In  1867,  he  was  united  in  the  holy 
bonds  of  matrimon}-  to  Miss  H.  E.  Keller,  daughter  of  Riley  Keller. 
To  this  union  have  been  born  five  children,  four  daughters  and  one 
son.  In  187(5,  he  lost  his  property  and  home.  After  this,  he  traded 
lor  a  time,  but.  in  1878.  he  received  the  right  to  a  ])atent  fence,  and 
sold  about  $40,0(X)  worth  of  the  patent.  'IMie  greatest  work  of  the 
life  of  Mr.  White  was  the  invention  of  the  '••  Drive  Gate.''  a  few  years 
later.  This  is.  without  ((uestion,  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful 
l)atents  of  the  kind  e\er  placed  before  the  public.  He  has  in  one 
vear  alone  sold  $r)(>.0()0  worth.  B\'  energy  and  economv,  Mr.  White 
has  amassed  (piite  a  large  amount  of  property.  Besides  his  property 
in  Neoga,  which  is  among  the  best  and  most  conveniently  arranged 
that  tlie  town  allbrds,  he  has  2,000  acres  of  valuable  land.  Mr. 
\\'hite  of  to-day  is  (piite  diHerent  from  the  White  of  fifteen  years 
ago,  as  far  as  financial  responsibility  is  concerned,  for  he  is  now  worth 
tit  least  $40,000,  and  at  that  time  he  was  almost  penniless.  In  addi- 
tion to  making  himself  and  family  comfortal)le  and  surrounded  by 
luxuries,  he  has  done  nnich  for  his  kinsmen.  He  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing and  most  public  spirited  men  in  southern  Illinois,  and  one  of  the 
most  charitable  and  generous.  He  is  with  his  fortune  the  same 
common  personage  that  he  was  in  his  ])overty.  He  has  many  friends, 
and  is  familiarly  called  "  Hapi)y  IVdl  White,  the  generous  man." 
He  has  a  sound  education,  and  is  well  read  oenerallv.  But  for  lack 
•of  space,  we  would  gladly  pid)lisli  some  choice  stanzas  of  poetry  on  his 


XEOGA    TO\VN>llII'.  343^ 

pjitont  ir:ito.  which  wvo  wholly  orininal  and  ot'  hi.>  own  coiupositiiMi. 

S.  F.  WILSON,  druiioist,  Avas  born  in  Washiuirtoii  County,  Ind., 
February  10.  1840.  is  the  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Hutchison)  Wilson, 
and  of  Knalish-Irish  lineage.  His  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
and  his  mother  in  Kentucky,  and  emigrated  to  Indiana  at  an  early 
day,  and  were  anumg  the  pioneers  of  the  Hoosier  State.  In  1S,52 
they  removed  to  Cumberland  County.  111.,  and  settled  two  and  a 
half  miles  southeast  of  Xeoga.  There  his  father  died  in  iSt??,  and 
his  mother  died,  in  Xeoga,  in  l>>&2.  ITis  paternal  grandfather  \vas  a 
noted  suriieon  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  subject  of  our  notice 
worked  at  home  for  his  father  until  \\e  had  attained  his  majority.  He 
enlisted  in  the  cause  of  his  country  in  ]May,  1<S(U.  in  Company  15, 
T^venty-First  Illinois  Infantry,  and  particijjated  in  the  battles  of 
Fredricktown,  Miss.;  Perrysville,  Ky.,  and  Stone  River,  Tenn,. 
At  the  latter  battle  he  was  wounded.  He  was  diseharged  April 
1,  18(52.  and  re-enlisted  Deeember  l(j,  18()3,  in  Company  G,  Sixty- 
Second  Illinois  V^olunteer  Infantry ;  finally  discharged  March 
21,  18(j(>.  During  his  second  service  he  was  commissioned  F'irst- 
Lieutenant.  He  was  married  November  14, 1807,  to  Miss  M.  J.  Reed- 
Mrs.  A\'ilson  was  born  in  Ohio  County,  W.  Va.  They  have  three 
children,  viz.:  Ambler  F.,  Frank  R.  and  Lena  P.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can; is  a  member  of  the  ^Masonic  Fraternity.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson 
are  leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Since  1S71  he  has 
been  enofa<>e<l  in  the  druo-  business  in  Neog-a,  and  has  the  most  exten- 
sive  line  found  in  Cumberland  County.  Mr.  Wilson  is  one  of  the 
men  of  true  merit  of  Cumberland  County,  and  one  of  the  most  patri- 
otic men  in  the  State. 

IRA  M.WRIGHT,  dealer  in  grain  and  produce,wasborn  in  Switz- 
erland County,  Ind.,  June  9,  18o(),  is  the  son  of  Alfred  and  Lucinda 
(Buchanan)  Wright,  and  comes  of  English-Irish  origin.  His  father 
was  born  in  Maryland  and  his  mother  in  Indiana,  and  they  were 
among  the  tirst  settlers  of  the  old  Hoosier  Stat<',  having  come  there 
in  1821.  It  was  not  until  the  subject  of  this  sketch  had  reached  the 
twenty-tifth  mile  stone  in  life  that  he  began  working  for  himself, 
having  worked  for  his  father  until  that  time.  In  August,  18(;i,  ho 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  in  the  Third  Indiana  Cavalry. 
He  served  three  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  October, 
18(54.  He  was  at  the  liattles  of  Gettysburg,  Antietam,  Fredericks- 
burg, Second  Bull  Run,  >\'ilderness  and  Petersburg.  In  January, 
18154,  Mr.  Wri^fht  went  to  Arkansas  and  enofaged  in  cotton  irrowing 
for  two  years,  at  which    he    was  successful.     In    1867   he   came   to 


o44  BIOGKAPHICAK    >KKT('1IKS — (;IMB?:RL.\M)    ('OUNTV. 

Ncoga.  jind  has  l)i>eii  a  resident  of  th<'  town  over  since.  He  first 
eng-airetl  in  the  aniin  l)nsiness,  and  then  added  prodnee  deal ini>-,  and 
in  this  connection  he  ha.s  l)een  since  ('n<>a<:rcd.  The  bnsiness.  which 
was  meagre  at  tirst.  has  l)econie  (|uite  extensive,  and  he  now  does  at 
least  $3U,()0U  worth  of  business  annually.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Shaw,  of  Vevay,  Ind..  ^Nlay  15.  1)^()^.  To  this 
union  have  been  boi'n  three  children,  viz.:  Ada  M..  Kdward  ('.  and 
Walter  H.  He  is  aa  earnest  Republican;  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Honor  and  the  G-  A.  K.,  and  one  of  the  })i-inci])al  business  men  of 
Neoga.  There  is  not  a  more  enterprising  man  in  Cumberland 
County  than  he,  nor  a  nu)re  useful  citizen. 

JOSEPH   ]M.  YOUXG,   livervman,  Avas  born  in  A'iiro  C'ountv, 
Ind.,  September  'll,  1821,  is  the  son  of  S:imuel  M.  and  ^largaret  (Mc- 
Kasliev)  Youno-,  the  fifth  in  a   family  of  fourteen  children,  and  is 
of  Irish  origin.     His  father  was  born   in  >s'orth    C'arolina   and    hi> 
mother  in  Kentucky.     They  emigrated  to  A'igo  County,  Ind.,  in  a 
very  early  day  and  Avere  amon<i  the  pioneers  of  that  county,.   His 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  warof  1S12, and  his  })aternal  grandfather 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.     His  parents  both  died 
in  Vigo  Comity,  Ind.,  on  the  old  Young  homestead,  where  they  had 
lived  for  half  a  century.     Mr.  Youu":  was  married  December  4,  184o, 
to  Miss  Matilda  Van  (Ucve.     To  this  union  have  been  born  four  chil- 
dren,  viz.:      Mary    E.,    Samuel   T.,  William    H.  and    Margaret    ,]. 
Samuel  T.  died  of  injuries  received  in  the  late  war.     He  enlisted  in 
Com})any   B,   One   Hundred    and    Thirty-Fifth    Illinois    Volunteer 
Infantry,  May  UJ.  1S()4,  and  was  discharged  S'.^j)tember  28,  1,S()4,  at 
Mattoon,  111.     Mrs.   Young  dieil   February  7,  18i)l,  and  Mr.  Young 
was  next  married,   Dotrember   24,    1S()1,   to  Miss   Mary   E.  Keller. 
Mrs.  Young  was  born  in  Jackson  County,  Ind.     Mr.  Young  came  to 
Cumberland  County,  III.,  in  Sej)tember,  1S.')4,  and  settled  ten   miles 
southeast  of  Neoga.     He  rented  a  farm  for  two  years,  then  bought 
eighty  acres  of  prairie,  and   afterward  bought  forty  acres  more. 
In  l<SSl  he  sold  it  and  l)ou<i:ht  100  acres  one  mile  east  of  iS'eoo'a.     In 
1S78  Mr.  Young  came  to  Neoga,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.     In 
1878  he  «Migage;d  in  the  livery  business,  and  in  this  he  still  continues. 
In  addition  to  his  farm  he  has  (piite  a  number  of  town  lots.     He  has 
been  successful  in  life.    He   is  a    Republican    in    politics,  and  .-ilso  a 
Mason.     He  is  on<'  of  the  pioneers  of  ('uml)erland  County. 

VV.  H.  YOUXG,  farmer  and  i>feneral  airent  for  the  Howe  Sewing 
Machine,  was  born  in  Edgar  County,  111.,  January  7,  1829,  is  the 
sonof  Claybourn  and  Mary  (Russell)  Young,  and  is  of  English-Irish 


NEOGA   TOWNSHIl'. 


;^45 


ex  tract  ion.  His  parents  were  horn  in  Tonncvssoc  and  oniiiiratcd 
from  that  Stato  to  K(li>ar  ("ounty,  III.,  in  1N27.  where  thev  resided 
tor  two  years,  th(Mi  removed  to  lioone  ('oimty.  Jnd..  and  there  lived 
initil  their  death.  th(>  father  dyinir  in  isiiS.  and  motlier  in  1S72.  Mr. 
"I'onni^-  was  married  ()(tol)er  1.").  I.s4i(.  to  iMis>  Ahiriiaret  A.  MeCol- 
loeh.  Mrs.  Youna  is  :i  nati\<'  ol"  Tennessee,  'i'o  them  liave  l)een 
born  foiu' eliihiren.  vi/.:  ,)ohn  A.  M..  Alice,  Lillie  M.  and  ('laybourn 
H-  In  1S')()  Mr.  Yoimij came  to  Illinoisand  scuttled  in  Kdiifar  (/ountv, 
there  remained  three  years, then  ivmoved  to  Cundierland  (younty  and 
.settled  in  Neoiifa  Townshij).  three  jniles  noi'theast  of  Neoi>a,  where 
he  has  sin<'<'  resided  and  has  a  farm  of  120  acres,  .md  well  imj)roved. 
Since  l<S(!il  Mr.  ^'onni^-  has  been  eniia<jfed  in  the  sewinir  machine  bns- 
iness.  lie  has  sold  2,000  ifiachines.  He  is  ;i  Kepnblican,  ajid  they 
are  niendx'rs  oi' the  I'resbyterian  Church.  They  have  a  danirhter  in 
the  Indian  Territory,  teachino-  the  C'hoctaw  Indians.  Mr.  Youne:  is 
a  leading-  citizen,  and  one  of  the  (dd  settlers  of  Cumberland  (/Ounty. 
His  otKce  is  ill  .Mrs.  .\.  K.  Stone's  milliner\'  store,  in  Neo<ra. 


346  BlOGRAPHirVL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTi-: 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 

DENNIS  BELL,  farmer,  was  born  March  oO,  1821,  in  Randolph 
Oounty,  N.  C-,  Jmd  is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  E.  Bell,  also  born 
in  North  Carolina.  Dennis  was  raised  on  his  fathers  farm,  and 
there  remained  till  the  age  of  twenty-fonr.  Avhen  he  married  Rachel 
Mass,  who  was  born  in  Clark  County,  111.,  in  1824,  and  died  on  this 
farm  in  1854.  They  had  four  children,  one  living — Irena,  wife  of 
William  E.  Adams.  His  second  marriage,  in  185G,  was  toj  Mary 
Tucker,  who  was  born  in  1834,  in  Indiana,  and  died  in  18.t7.  I'hev 
have  one  son,  John,  now  in  Kansas.  Ilis  third  marriage,  August. 
1858,  was  to  Barbara  Boswell,  of  Ohio.  They  have  four  children, 
viz.:  David  O-,  Vernon,  Andrew  M.,  and  Josephine.  At  about  the 
aije  of  eleven  years,  his  parents  came  to  Rush  County,  Intl.,  where 
thev  lived  four  vears,  then  removed  to  Coles,  now  Cumberland 
County,  where  his  father  died  in  185().  at  eighty  years  of  age.  This 
land  was  entered  by  Ambrose  Carney.  He  now  owns  154  acres,  all 
improved,  Avith  one  of  the  best  houses  in  the  township,  built  in  1875. 
at  a  cost  of  about  $2,200.  His  barn  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  Octo- 
ber, 1882;  cost  about  1500.  His  brother,  William,  was  Lieutenant 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Infantry.  He  served 
throughout  the  Avar. 

SA:MUEL  a.  BLA(  !K,  of  the  firm  of  Moore  &  Black,  grist  and 
saw-mill,  Diona,  was  born  July  19,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  Black,  wdio  were  born  in  Virginia,  and  followed  farming 
there.  In  1835,  he  went  to  Missouri,  Avhere  soon  after  he  was  mar- 
ried. His  parents  still  live  there,  engaged  in  farming.  The  sul)iect 
of  this  sketch  left  home  at  about  the  age  of  twenty-two,  and  carried  on 
farming  in  Missouri  till  June,  1875,  when  he  moved  to  Cumberland 
Countv,  and  carried  on  farminir  four  vears.  In  1S7!K  he  bouirht  Mr. 
Hackett's  interest  in  this  mill,  and  has  since  been  a  member  of  this 
firm.  This  mill  Avas  built  in  1875  ;  cost  about  $7,000.  Its  capacity 
is  about  4,000  feet  of  lumber,  about  seventy-tiv(>  bushels  of  corn,  and 
one  hundred  bushels  of  Avheat  per  day.  Mr.  Black  Avas  married  Jan- 
uary <).  1S7(!,  to  Lizzie  Gill,  who  Avas  born  in  Missouri.  One  daugh- 
ter. (Jarrie,  blesses  this  union. 

NATHANIEL  (^VUPKX4T^:R,  farmer,  was  born  December  JO, 
1831,  in  DelaAvare  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  ]\Iari:i 
('arpenter,  who  emigrated  from  New  York  Avlicn  young.     He  Avas 


iNioN  ToWNsiiir.  847 

brouirlit  up  on  his  tathor's  fann.  Wliou  about  eisrlitecn  years  of 
ajTO,  his  i)arenls  cainc  to  tliis  locality,  where  he  has  since  lived.  His 
father  entered  the  land  where  his  house  now  stands.  He  died  June 
3,  1876,  ao-ed  seventy-six.  llis  mother  died  in  1.S42,  aufcd  forty.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  connnenced  working  at  $8  a  month.  This  money 
he  used  in  paying  for  the  first  bind  he  owned — first  buying  forty 
acres;  he  has  added  as  liis  means  would  allow,  and  now  owns  300 
acres.  This  farm  is  improved,  with  a  good  brick  house,  built  in 
1874;  costal)out  $1,600;  the  barn  cost  $800.  He  was  married  April 
i|,  1846,  to  Julia  A.  Mann.  She  was  born  in  Indiana,  Septend)er  10, 
1822.  They  had  nine  (diildren,  six  living,  viz.:  Sarah  J.,  Ilezekiab, 
William,  Doloss,  Christina,  and  .Vnn. 

WILLIAM  CLOSSON,  farmer,  born  March  li>,  1833,  in  Dela- 
ware County.Ohio,  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  ^hirtlia  Closson,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  His  parents  came  to  Cumberland  Comity  in  1851,  and 
located  in  Union  Township.  His  father  died  December  2C),  18;)!),  aged 
sixty-five  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  Avas  married  February  12, 
1860,  to  Lucy  McMillan,  who  was  born  in  DehiAvare  County,  Ohio. 
They  had  six  children,  three  living,  viz.:  John  D.,  Alma  E.,  and  Mary 
O.;  three  children  died  when  young.  After  his  father's  death  he 
secured  the  homestead  by  ])uying  out  the  other  heirs.  He  after^vards 
sold  this  property  and  bought  where  he  now  lives.  He  now  owns 
three  farms  of  one  hundred  acres  each,  all  under  cultivation.  Mr. 
Closson  became  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
in  1864.     Since  this  time,  he  has  l)een  ruling  elder  of  this  church. 

LEWIS  COLLIXS,  farmer,  born  May  7,  1831,  in  Fairfield 
Countv.  Ohio,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Maroaret  (Driver)  Collins, 
who  emigrated  at  an  early  day  from  ^Maryland.  His  grandparents 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His  father  died  in  Ohio  when  Lewis 
was  about  thirteen  years  old.  He  continued  to  live  with  his  mother 
till  the  ao-e  of  eisfhteen,  when  he  commenced  to  learn  the  blacksmith 
trade,  following  this  business  about  twenty  years.  He  then  carried 
on  farming  about  two  years.  In  1866,  he  came  to  Cumberland 
County,  located  on  the  Davison  farm,  and  remained  there  one  year; 
then  moved  to  his  i)resent  farm.  He  first  bought  sixty  acres,  and 
trom  time  to  time  added  other  land,  now  owning  260  acres.  This 
farm  is  located  on  the  direct  road  to  Casey,  conseijuently  the  most 
traveled  of  any  others.  He  married,  March  23,  18r)l),  ]\Irs.  Collins, 
who  is  also  a  native  of  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Amy  F.,  wife  of  Andrew  V'ankey;  S?th  Benson,  Carrie, 
Magdalena,  wife  of  Arthur  Jennings;  Semantha  M.,  and  Rebecca  E. 


34:^  BIOGIJAPIIICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

S.  W.  CUTKIGHT,  faniKT,  was  l)()ni  O  tober  2i),  Isir,.  in  Ross 
Countv,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah  Cutriirht.  who 
were  natives  of  Viririnia.  Thov  eniiofnited  to  Ohio  in  ahont  1790. 
His  father  served  in  the  K'volutionarv  war.  The  sul)joct  of  this 
sketch  lived  with  his  parents  until  about  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
Avhen  he  worked  out  b}'  the  month  about  two  years.  Hv  was  mar- 
ried, September  3,  1840,  to  Elizalicth  Brown,  who  was  b^)rn  in 
Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  July  4,  l'S2t.  They  have  nine  children,  viz.:  Aus- 
tin, Angeline,  now  ]Mrs.  Bcgger;  Robert,  now  keeping  the  National 
Hotel  at  Casey;  Elniira,  wife  of  Josej)]!  M-rcer:  William,  Emaline, 
wife  of  Simuel  Sheeks;  GrL'orge,  Harriet,  wife  of  Frank  Licey,  and 
Winfield.  After  his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  and  continued  farming 
there  about  ten  years.  In  1819  he  came  to  Cumberland  County  and 
leased  a  farm  at  Lost  Point,  where  he  remained  five  years  on  Section 
18.  He  then  moved  to  Section  9,  and  there  remained  five  years. 
On  Januar}'  1,  18()0,  he  l)OUght  forty  acres  where  his  house  now 
stands,  and  the  following  February  moved  to  this  land,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  '  He  noAv  owns  eighty  acres.  Soon  after  coming  here 
he  met  with  the  misfortune  of  losing  three  horses,  which  he  then 
could  illv  afford,  l)ut  havin"-  enero-v,  industrv  and  perseverance  he 
has  succeeded  in  clearing  anl  improving  tiiis  farm,  and  has  placed 
himself  in  comfortable  circumstances. 

LEV^I  DEVINNEY,  retired  farmer,  was  l)()rn  June  24,  181S,  in 
Berkeley  County, W.  Va.,and  is  a  son  of  David  C.  and  Mary  Devinney, 
who  were  natives  of  Oranire  Countv,  Va.  There  he  learned  the  tan- 
ners'  trade,  which  he  followed  till  the  age  of  forty;  then  he  moved 
to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  farmimg:  later  removed 
to  Miami  County,  where  he  died  on  February  23,  1878.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  lived  with  his  father  in  Licking  County  till  18.')1,  then 
came  to  Cumberland  Countv  and  bought  the  Fox  farm,  consisting  of 
15l5  acres.  Two  years  later  he  sold  that  farm  and  moved  to  this  one, 
buying  Vti^l  acres  where  their  house  now  stands,  and  later  other 
lands.  They  now  own  over  300  acres;  and  it  is  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  the  townshii).  They  are  the  only  farmers  in  the  township  who 
deal  exclusively  in  fine  stock,  their  cattle  being  Shorthorns,  their 
hogs  Poland  China,  and  their  horses  of  the  Norman  and  Clydes- 
dale stock.  This  farm  is  improved  with  buildings  which  cost  over 
$2,000;  all  well  fenced.  They  also  have  a  scale  and  scale Jiou<e 
which  cost  about  $20;).  He  was  married  in  January,  ISjI,  to  Mar- 
tha J.  Ryan,  of  Crawford  County.  Ill-  She  died  January  22,1879, 
aijed  fortv-niiii'  vears.     He   has  owe  son,    David  Iv.   who   was  jjorii 


UNION    TOWN.silIP.  341) 

March  24,  1853,  in  Cumberland  County,  and  was  married  iSIarcli  2, 
187G,  to  Sarah  L.  Gill.  She  was  born  in  Wm^iic  County,  Mo.  They 
have  two  chihhvn — Harry  G.  and  Eunice  P.  David  R.  Devinuey 
now  owns  and  manaires  this  farm.  Mr.  Dcvinney's  two  brothers, 
Martin  L.  and  David  W.,  served  in  the  hite  war.  David  enlisted  as 
Fii"st  Sergeant,  was  afterwards  promoted  to  Captain,  and  later  com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

ELIJAH  EDWARDS,  farmer,  born  January  31,  1821),  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ohio,  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Ruth  Edwards.  His 
father  was  l)orn  in  New  York,  his  mother  in  New  Jersey.  In  1839 
his  parents  emigrated  to  Coles  ( now  Cumberland)  County,  and  settled 
on  Section  3,  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  locality. 
His  father  first  entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  but  later  bought  eighty 
acres  of  John  Cutright,  Sr.  His  father  died  in  l.SIJl,  aged  seventy- 
eight  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  July  1,  1849,  to 
Jane  Baumgartner.  She  was  born  in  1835,  in  Franklin  County,  Ohio. 
They  have  ten  children,  viz. :  Henry,  Angcline,  wife  of  Charles  Carlin; 
Sarah,  wife  of  W.  H.  Docker;  Andrew,  Theodore,  George,  Jacob, 
Elijah,  Jr.,  Harrison  and  Hannah  J.  H '  owns  1(50  acres,  part  of 
whi(di  is  the  land  entered  and  bought  by  his  father.  He  was  the 
first  Townshij)  Commissioner  after  the  organization  of  the  township; 
held  the  office  three  years. 

p.  W.  EDWARDS,  merchant,  Union  Center,  was  born  Augusts, 
1852,  in  LTnion  Township,  and  is  the  son  of  Eli  and  Elizabeth  Edwards, 
who  were  born  in  Ohio.  They  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Union  Township.  His  father  died  DL'cem1)er  4,  1879.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  where  he  lived  till  the  age 
of  twenty-two,  when  he,  with  a  capital  of  twenty  dollars,  started 
peddling  and  huckstering;  continued  at  this  business  about  eighteen 
months,  and  not  meeting  with  any  success  he  engaged  in  the  show  busi- 
ness and  continued  this  about  four  months.  Meeting  with  no  better 
success  he  then,  September,  187(3,  traded  his  team  with  a  spring  wagon 
and  a])out  ten  acres  corn,  valued  at  $240,  for  this  store,  going  in  debt 
at  the  time  $90.  From  this  small  ])eginning  he  has  worked  into  a  large 
ami  flourishing  trade.  H(>  has  sold  as  high  as  $230  j^er  day.  He  now 
carries  a  stock  of  al)out  $(j,0UO,  and  to  accommodate  his  increasing  trade 
he  is  about  erecting  a  connnodious  store,  24x80  feet.  This  store  he 
€X[)ects  to  occupy  in  1SS4.  He  was  ajipointed  Postmaster  in  18(Sl.  He 
was  married  in  Septem1)er,  1879,  to  Miss  Flora  Chancellor,  of  Coles 
County.     Two  children  bless  this  union — Harvey  C.  and  Elizabeth  E. 


350  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

T.  and  S.  EMRICH  are  the  sons  of  Phillip  and  Xancy  (Red- 
man) P^nirich.  They  emiiirated  from  Ross  County,  Ohio,  to  Cum- 
berland County,  111.,  in  the  fall  of  1848,  where  thoy  lived  about 
eiiifhteen  months,  when  they  moved  to  Jasper  County,  remaining 
there  about  two  years;  then  returned  to  Cumberland  County,  and 
settled  on  their  present  farm,  where  their  father  died  in  March,  1875, 
aged  fifty-nine  years.  This  farm  consisted  of  300  acres;  l)ut  since 
the  death  of  their  father  it  has  been  divided,  and,  with  other  lands 
added,  the  family  now  own  514  acres.  Scott  retains  the  homestead. 
Mrs.  Emrich  still  resides  at  the  homestead.  They  were  married, 
April  2,  1840.  She  was  born,  December  24,  1815,  in  Ross  County, 
Ohio.  This  union  was  blessed  with  six  children,  three  of  whom  still 
survive,  viz.:  Taylor,  AVinfield  Scott,  and  Benjamin  F.  John  was 
drowned,  June  17,  1858,  aged  seventeen  years;  Mary  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1871,  aged  twenty-eight  years;  Sarah  J.  died  in  November, 
1849,  aged  four  years.  Taylor  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist 
Church  and  one  of  the  Trustees.  Scott  is  engaged  in  the  Agricult- 
ural business  in  Casey,  as  well  as  managing  this  farm. 

C.  C  FANCHER  was  born  November  27,  183(3,  in  Delaware 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  ^Martha  Fancher.  In 
1849,  the  family  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  this  locality;  they 
enterecTand  bouo-ht  various  tracts  of  land.  He  has  owned  as  high 
as  1,000  acres,  a  large  part  of  which  he  has  deeded  to  his  children. 
They  first  settled  on  what  was  known  as  the  old  Smith  farm,  and 
resided  there  till  1853.  In  order  to  educate  his  children,  they  moved 
to  Marshall,  where  they  remained  two  3'ears,  then  returned  to  their 
farm.  For  the  purpose  of  further  educating  his  children,  his  father, 
in  1857,  removed  to  Paris,  111.  After  remaining  Iavo years,  he  moved 
to  Clark  County,  near  Casey,  where  he  bought  a  tarni  of  150  acres. 
There  he  resided  till  1870.  On  account  of  ill-health  he  Avent  to 
Denver,  Col.,  there  remained  five  years,  and  during  this  time  was 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  then  returned  to  his  farm 
near  Casey.  He  died  August  "l^,  187(5,  aged  sixty-eight  yeai*s.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  married  Lydia  Tute- 
wiler.  She  was  born  in  Fairricdd  County.  Ohio.  Seven  children 
have  blessed  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  liviu"- — Royal,  Orla,  Bertie, 
and  Pearly.  After  marriage  he  settled  on  his  present  farm.  He  now 
owns  260  acres;  this  is  one  of  the  oldest  improved  farms  in  this  loi-al- 
ity.  Mr.  Fancher  enlisted,  in  18()1,  in  ^Company  E,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Tliird  Illinois  (Mounted)  Infantry, ''  Wilder's  Brigade,"" 
and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.     He  participated  in  the  battles  of 


UNION'   TOWXSIIll».  351 

Porrvvillc  nnd  Clii(lvaniau£>-a,  aiul  Avas  witli  Slun-nian's  command  dur- 
inir  thoir  march  to  Atlanta  and  hai'k  to  XashvilU'.  lie  was  also  in 
tlic  raid  under  General  Tliomas  at  tlic  battle  of  Nashville,  and  the 
battle  of  S;dnia,  Ala.  This  was  one  of  the  enemy's  strongest  forti- 
fications, and  after  several  lioui-s  of  hard  fighting,  the  enemy^iinally 
gave  way.     He  also  participated  in  many  others. 

JA^IES  GILL,  retired  tanner,  was  born  February  26,  1798,  in 
Montgomery  County,  Ky.  In  1814,  he  crossed  the  territory,  came 
to  Illinois,  and  located  near  Palestine,  on  the  Wabash,  making  tem- 
porary (juarters  in  the  Fort.  After  a  short  stay  he  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  assisted  his  father  to  move.  They  at  once  came  to  Fort 
La]Motte,  afterward  Palestine.  His  father  bought  half  a  Section  of 
land,  being  then  the  tirst  public  sale,  the  land  office  being  located 
there.  The  family  removed  to  this  land  and  lived  there  about 
twentv  years.  He  was  en2raged  in  tiat^boating  from  Vincenncs  to 
New  Orleans,  making  one  trip  a  season.  This  he  continued  seven 
seasons,  he  making  the  second  trip  that  ever  was  made  on  a  flat-boat. 
He  came  to  where  he  now  lives  in  1830.  He  first  entered  a  quarter 
Section,  afterward  bought  and  entered  other  lands,  and  has  owned  as 
high  as  1,S00  acres  at  one  time.  He  is  one  of  the  most  enterpris- 
ing men  of  this  county.  He  built  his  present  house  in  about  1850, 
setting  an  exam[)lc  to  his  neighbors  by  building  the  best  one  then  in 
this  neighborhood.  II'  hauled  the  lumber  from  York,  a  distance  of 
forty  miles.  Mr.  Gill  has  held  many  important  offices,  viz.:  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  County  Commissioner  of  Coles  County,  and  Avas  the 
first  County  Commissioner  of  Cumberland  County.  His  father 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  enlisting  as  a  private,  and  for  mer- 
itorious conduct  was  promoted  to  Captain,  which  Commission  he 
held  until  his  death,  he  drawing  a  Captain's  pension.  He  Avasborn 
August  27,  1757,  in  New  Jersey,  and  died  near  Palestine  in  1837. 
Our  subject  Avas  married,  December  27,  182!i,  to  Diadama  Neal,  of 
Kentucky,  who  died  September  IG,  1850.  They  had  six  children 
living,  viz.:  Emily,  Avife  of  Samuel  P.  Reed;  Angeline,  now 
Mrs.  Conrad;  Lucinda,  uoav  Mrs.  Fulkerson;  Nancy,  now  Mrs. 
Brooks;  Martha,  now  Mrs.  McMorris;  John  N.,  noAV  managing 
this  farm.  Hannah  died  May  11,  18r)G.  Martin  C.  served  in  the 
Confederate  army  and  died  April  13,  1<S()5.  George  AV.  died 
September  27,  1847.  .James  T.  served  in  the  Union  army,  and 
died  July  3,  18(14. 

JAMES  GOSSETT,  farmer,  was  born  May  :>,  1.S33,  in  Tuscar- 
awas County,   Ohio,  and  was  the  son  of    Luke  and  Jane  Gossctt, 


352  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

who  were  born  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1837  the  family  lame  to  Coles 
County,  and  there  engaired  in  fanniuL''-  In  18")7,  he  moved  to  Cum- 
berland County,  and  settled  on  Section  30,  Union  Township,  and 
there  remained  till  18G3,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  farm.  He 
now  owns  ISO  acres,  mostly  improved.  He  has  a  very  comfortable 
house,  which  he  built  in  1868;  cost  about  §2,000;  also  other  build- 
insrs,  which  cost  over  S3,000.  He  was  married  in  1857,  to  Ann  E. 
Roberts,  of  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  She  was  born,  June  23,  1839; 
died  in  187lj.  They  had  eight  children,  five  living,  viz.:  Clinton 
M.,  Luke  Lincoln,  James  C,  Augusta  J.,  and  Sarah  M.  They  lost 
one  child  in  intanc}-.  Julia  A.  died  August  20,  1883,  aged  twenty- 
two;  John  died  in  187(3,  aged  eight  months.  Mr.  G.  is  a  member  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church  in  Christ. 

NICHOLAS  HAUGHX,  farmer,  was  born  February  7,  1845,  on 
his  present  farm.  His  father,  Nicholas  Haughn,  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia; his  mother  of  ^Maryland.  His  parents  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Union  Township.  His  father  entered  this  land  soon  after 
coming  here,  it  consisting  of  140  acres,  mostly  improved.  He  died 
at  the  advanced  age  of  104  years.  His  mother  still  lives  here  and 
enjoys  good  health,  being  now  in  her  seventy-eighth  year.  Nicholas 
was  married,  in  1860,  to  Margaret  Conner,  of  Pennsylvania.  They 
have  six  children,  viz.:  ]Maiy  C,  Calvin  V.,  Adaline,  Daisy,  Claude, 
and  Arthur. 

G.  S.  HENDERSON,  farmer,  born  :May  4,  1820,  in  Perry 
Count}',  Ohio;  reared  on  his  father's  farm  until  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
Up  to  this  time,  he  had  received  but  nineteen  and  one-half  days' 
schooling,  and  eleven  nights  at  school  ciphering.  He  then  married 
Rebecca  Yanawa}-,  of  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  She  died  in  1879, 
aged  sixty-one  years.  They  had  four  childnMi;  three  living — Mary 
J.,  wife  of  George  Winekoop;  James  and  Andrew.  They  are  all 
living  in  Kansas.  His  second  marriasre  was  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Matliena,  a  native  of  England,  August  1, 1879.  AVhen  he  first  mar- 
ried, he  rented  a  farm  for  eight  years,  and  followed  teaming  several 
years.  In  1855,  he  came  to  Union  Township,  and  settled  on  this 
farm,  at  that  time  eighty-six  acres,  and  has  owned  as  high  as  787 
acres.  He  now  owns  445  acres,  over  300  of  which  are  under  culti- 
vation. On  November  13,  1882,  G.  S.  Henderson  and  family  started 
on  a  tour  to  relatives  in  East  Albany,  N.Y.  They  arrived  on  Wi'dncs- 
day  morning,  the  15th,  much  worn  out   after  so  long  a  journey, 

it  being  some  M50  miles.     On  Thursday,  the  day  following,  ]Mr. . 

his  brother-in-law,  started  out  to  visit  Albany.     Mr.  Henderson,  in 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  353 

his  published  Jicoount  of  the  trip,  coutinuos  the  narrative,  as  follows: 
We  tirst  visited  Archteoloirical  Hall.  Here  may  be  seen  everything 
imaginable  that  is  generally  found  in  a  museum.  The  greatest  sight 
which  eame  under  our  special  observation  was,  tirst  a  link  of  the 
chain  that  was  stretched  across  the  Hudson  River,  during  the  lievo- 
lutiou  in  177."),  to  prevent  the  British  from  sailing  up  the  river,  their 
intention  being  to  blow  up  West  Point.  Second,  we  saw  a  skeleton 
of  one  of  the  largest  elephants  known.  This  was  found  in  Cohoes, 
a  small  town  in  the  State,  during  the  excavation  for  the  famous 
Harmony  Knitting  Mills,  fifty  feet  below  the  surface.  Third,  was  a 
piece  of  stone  about  the  size  of  a  large  cocoanut,  which  has  been 
dripping  oil  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

I  would  like  to  give  a  more  detailed  account  of  this  hall,  but 
time  would  not  permit.  From  here  we  crossed  over  to  the  new  Cap- 
ittil,  and  I  must  not  forget  to  note  here  that  it  tar  exceeded  our 
expectations;  from  the  ground  floor  we  were  carried  up  b}^  a  mag- 
nificent elevator  to  the  Governor's  room,  which  is  magnificent.  Next 
we  visited  the  Assembly  Chamber.  Words  are  impossible  to  tell 
how  beautiful  it  is.  We  examined  the  difl:erent  corridors,  and  in  one 
of  them  may  be  seen  the  flags  of  all  nations  and  those  that  were 
prized  during  the  Revolution;  in  fact,  I  could  not  begin  to  give  a 
description  of  this  famous  building.  A  person,  to  comprehend  such 
a  building,  and  what  it  is  like,  has  only  to  see  it  for  himself. 
From  here  we  walked  about  two  miles  to  the  Albany  Penitentiary, 
which  is  considered  the  hardest  prison  in  the  State.  There  we  Avere 
told  to  register  our  names,  and  after  the  payment  ot  twenty-five 
cents  each,  we  were  accompanie;!  by  a  guide,  who  showed  us  all  over 
the  institution;  the  principal  manufactory  being  shoes,  of  which  they 
turn  out  about  3,000  pairs  daily.  AVe  never  saw,  during  our  travels, 
such  regularity  as  we  found  here.  Much  court asy  was  shown  us  by  the 
guide  and  guards.  There  are  confined  at  the  present  time  830  pris- 
oners. It  being  near  evening,  we  made  our  way  home,  much  pleased 
with  our  day's  sport. 

Sunday  evening,  19th,  we  took  the  boat  of  the  Citizens'  Line, 
called  "  City  of  Ti"oy,"  for  our  journey  to  New  York  City,  which 
left  Albany  at  seven  o'clock.  But  before  going  further,  I  must  not 
forflret  to  mention  that  the  boats  of  this  line  are  classed  as  some  of 
the  best  jifloat.  They  are  fitted  up  for  the  comfort  of  passengers, 
and  also  for  the  transportation  of  freight.  We  reached  New  York 
the  next  morning  at  six  o'clock,  and,  after  partaking  of  breakfast, 
proceeded  to  visit  all  the  places  of  interest,  our  first  place  of  note 


o 


54  IJIOGKAnilCAL   SKETCHES CUMBEKLAXD    COUN'TY 


bciii'i-  Mr.  A'andoibilt's  stables,  -which  are  situated  on  Fifth  Avenue, 
directly  in  tlie  neighborhood  of  his  elegant  mansion.     The  horses 
which  Ave  saw  were  Early  Rose,  Bay  Dick,  Small  Hope,  Light  ILindy 
Bov,  Leander  Bov  and  Earlv  Puck,  whicli  were  some  of  the  finest 
horses  we  ever  saw.     The  stables  seemed  a  paradise  beyond  descrip- 
tion.    From  here  we  started  for  Central   Park.     We   took  a  stroll 
through  the  museum,  then  to  the  wild  animals,  camels,  ostriches, 
sea  lions,  bears,  buffaloes,  eagles  and  monkeys;  then  saw  the  monu- 
ments of  Scott,  Burns,  Shakespeare,  Fitz  Green  llalleck  and  Moore, 
and  then    the   Egyptian  obelisk,    which    is  eighty-two    feet  high, 
100,000  tons  in  weight,  and  its  age  is  some  fifty  years  bsfore  Christ, 
which  to  our  astonishment  exceeded  what  we  expected.     The  lake  in 
this  park  is  boautiful,  and,  from  our  personal   observation,  it  is  the 
largest,  prettiest  and  best  laid  out  park  in  the  country.     From  here 
we  made  our  way  through  the  upper  part  of  the  city,  saw  the  Grand 
Central  Depot  of  the  New  York  Central  and  Hudson  River  Railroads, 
Grand  Central  Hotel,  Wallack's,  Niblo's,  Gormania,  Bowery  and 
Globe  theatres;  one  of  the  greatest  attractions  being  the  ^Nletropoli- 
tan  Elevated  Railroad,  which  runs  in  every  direction  of  the  city  over 
head.     We  rode  on  one  section  of  the  road,  and  I  will  not  say  it  is  a 
very  comfortable  way  of  traveling. 

We  then  Avent  aboard  an  ocean  steamship  of  the  Innian  Line, 
and  examined  it  all  over,  and  were  much  pleased  Avith  the  elegant 
and  costly  way  in  Avhich  the  vessel  Avas  fitted  up.     From  here  Ave 
strolled  across  toAvn  to  the  bowery,  our  object  being  to  visit  the 
Atlantic  Garden.    From  here  Ave  Avent  still  further  doAvn  toAvn  until 
we  reached  Printing  House  Srpiare,  Avhere  the  buildings  of  the  New 
York    Tribune,    Times,  Sun,  and  a  large  monument   of  Benjamin 
Franklin  attracted  our  attention.     Looking  to  our  right,  we  saw 
City  Hall  Park  and  City  Hall,  Avhich  is,  as  the  rest  of  the  liuildings, 
a  very  interesting  sight.     We  there  saAv  the  famous  Astor  Library, 
and  the  massive  building  of  the  New  York  Post-oflice.     From  here, 
we  made  our  Avay  toAvard  Jersey  City,  Avhich  is  reaclu^d  by  way  of  boat 
across  the  North  River.    Having  visited  friends— it  being  Wednes- 
day—avc  again  resumed  our   travels    in    New  York.     We  crossed 
by  way  of  ferry-boat  to  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  our  object  b^Mug  to  get 
a  good  view  of  the  new  suspension  bridge  Avhich  spans  the   East 
River,  a  sight  Avhich  Ave  would  not  have  missed  for  anything.     On 
our  return.  Ave  started  for  th^  Eirth  G  irdens  and  the  Battery.    This 
is  where  all   emigrants  have  to  go  through  upon  arriving  in  this 
country.     There  Avere  a  great  many  lying  around,  principally  Dutch. 


UNION   TOWNSHir.  355 

Again  wc  started  up  town  in  anotlior  direction,  and  examined  some 
of  the  prominent  buildiniis  throuuh  Broadway — A.  T.  Stewart's  store, 
etx?.;  in  fact,  every  buildins:  in  the  city  that  was  worth  seeing.  They 
averasfcd  from  ten  to  twelve  stories  hi^fh,  and  are  built  of  the  best 
material.  1  would  like  here  to  ijive  a  more  full  account  of  the  citv 
nnd  everything  we  saw,  but  time  will  not  i)ermit;  in  fact,  a  person 
could  Avrite  a  whole  volume,  and  then  not  think  of  everything.  To 
say  the  least.  New  York  City  itself  is  one  of  the  grciitesf  sights  I 
ever  saw  or  expect  to  see. 

It  now  being  evening  we  started  on  our  journe\-  back  to  East 
Albany  by  way  of  a  boat  called  the  "Saratoga"  of  the  same  line  by 
which  we  c.ime,  and  as  I  gave  mention  of  the  Hudson  River,  it  is 
one  of  the  tinest  and  most  picturesque  rivers  in  the  country.  We 
arrived  at  East  Albany  about  7.80  on  Wednesday  morning,  and  on 
the  foUowinir  morning  started  bv  earlv  train  for  Indianapolis. 

My  trip  from  Indianai)olis  to  New  York,  a  distance  of  about  one 
thousand  and  ten  miles  and  return,  was  a  journey  which  Avill  never  be 
forgotten. 

I  left  New  York  for  home  November  28,  and  took  in  the  Canada 
side  of  the  famous  Niao-ara  Falls  and  extension  brido^e.  The  view 
was  beautiful — the  hillsides  covered  Avith  moss  interspersed  with 
spruce,  j)ine  and  hemlock.  It  was  snowing  quite  briskly  when  I 
arrived  here — put  up  for  the  night,  and  in  the  morning  as  I  looked 
out  from  the  Cliff  House  I  think  I  never  saw  a  finer  sight.  A  large 
mass  of  falliuG:  nature  of  over  a  half  mile  in  length  bent  in  a  cres- 
cent  slope,  with  the  sun  boing  retl^ected  from  it,  making  all  the  dif- 
ferent shades  of  the  rainbow,  impressed  me  with  its  great  beauty  and 
grandeur.  At  7.20  we  left  for  Butlalo,  and  the  snow  storm  still  rag- 
ing but  increased  in  intensity  as  we  crossed  the  Mohawk  River.  A 
large  dam  Avas  thrown  across  the  river  here,  but  the  Avater  Avas 
** going  up  stream"  OAving  to  a  very  high  Avind  Avliich  Avas  blowing* 
We  learn  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  severe  storms  of  this  kind  ever 
witnessed  there,  and  houses  of  every  description  Avcre  almost  swept 
away  Ijy  the  floods.  As  Ave  neared  Buffalo  Ave  Avere  struck  by  the 
gale,  under  AvJiich  the  train  sAvayed  to  and  fro,  and  at  times  nearly 
capsizing  us.  This  continued  until  Ave  arrived  at  Buffalo.  From 
Buffalo  home,  the  vieAV  of  the  towns  and  country  along  the  lino  of 
the  railroads  AA'as  fine,  and  I  arriAanl  at  home  on  Novenil)cr  2'y,  and 
found  all  Avell,  an  I  realized  tint  I  hid  traveled  in  the  round  trip 
2,2«v*)  miles. 

AMOS  JEXMXGS,  farmer,  Avas  born  December   Ki,   \'<'.V-\.  in 


356  BIOGRAPHICAL   .SKETCIIES— CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  is  tho  son  of  Solomon  and  Catherine 
Jennino-s,  Avho  emiirnitecl  to  Illinois  in  1^40.  Thov  settled  in  what 
is  now  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Cimiberland  County.  The  fol- 
loAvino-  year  his  father  died,  aged  thirty  years.  His  mother  again 
married  and  moved  to  Section  11,  Union  Township,  in  1842,  where 
the  sul)iect  of  this  sketch  lived  till  the  aire  of  twenty-five,  when  he 
married  Martha  Stultz.  She  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  li<S\).  Five  chil- 
dren bless  this  union,  viz.:  Frank  L.,  John  A.,  Amy  C,  W.  T.  and 
Amos  W.  After  marriage  he  managed  his  mother-in-law's  farm 
about  six  years.  He  then  moved  to  his  present  farm,  having  first 
bouo-ht  forty  acres;  and  from  time  to  time,  as  his  means  would  allow, 
added  other  land.  He  now  ownsloG  acres,  largely  improved.  They 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethern  Church. 

JOHX  C.  JNIILLER,  farmer,  born  November  27,  1831,  in  Fair- 
field Coimty,  Ohio,  son  of  William  and  Dianah  Miller.  His  father 
was  born  in  Maryland,  liis  mother  in  Ohio.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age  of  nine 
years  his  parents  came  to  Union  Township.  On  May  12,  1840,  his 
father  entered  160  acres,  in  what  is  now  Crooked  Creek  Township, 
and  lived  on  that  land  about  eight  years.  He  then  removed  to  this 
farm,  known  as  the  Smith  farm,  which  is  the  oldest  settled  form  in 
this  neighborhood.  Part  of  this  land  was  entered  by  Xewel  Bnrch, 
of  whom  AndrcAV  Smith  l)ought  his  claim,  and  entered  other  lands 
adjoining.  His  father  lived  on  this  farm  till  his  death,  which  occur- 
red May  23,  1880,  aged  seventy-five  years.  The  tarm  now  consists 
of  350  acres,  mostly  improved,  and  stocked  with  six  horses,  sixty 
head  of  cattle,  eighty  hogs,  fifty  sheep,  etc.  He  was  married  Janu- 
ary 1,  1856,  to  Miss  Mahala  Fancher,  who  was  born  in  Delaware 
County,  Ohio,  January  16,  1835;  they  had  eight  children,  six  living, 
viz.:  William  II.,  David  B.,  Martha  L.,  Almanette,  DoUie  J.  and 
Flora  E.  Eva  V.  died  in  1867,  aged  five  years;  Amy  O.  died  Novem- 
ber 3,  1875,  in  her  twentieth  year.  She  had  attended  the  Westfield 
College  six  years,  had  finished  a  classical  course,  and  one  year  later 
would  have  graduated.  In  order  to  educate  his  children  Mr.  Miller 
removed  to  Westfield  in  1874;  remained  there  three  years,  thou 
returned  to  his  farm.  When  in  Westfield  he  held  the  ofiice  of  Police 
Magistrate;  here  he  has  held  the  ofiice  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  two 
terms  and  Township  Superintendent  one  term.  They  are  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  Chur<'h. 

WILLIAM  M.  MILLER,  farmer,  was  born  Nbveml)er  30.  1.S35, 
in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.     At  the  age  of  four  years  he  came  with 


UMON  Tow.Nsiiir.  357 

his  parents  to  Ciiml)eilaiid  County,  settled  in  Union  Township,  and 
has  since  lived  in  this  locality.  He  was  married  August  14,  18G2, 
to  Mrs.  ]\Liry  A.  Clauson,  who  was  born  in  1837.  They  had  two 
children,  Ida  I.,  and  Reason  R.  This  farm  consists  of  ninety-eight 
acres,  located  on  the  National  road,  and  improved  with  a  good 
house,  which  cost  about  $G00;  barn  rost  about  $400.  The  farm  is 
stocked  with  four  horses,  seventeen  iicad  of  cattle,  and  about  thirty 
hogs. 

CHARLES  McMlLLEX,  farmer  (post-othce  Union  Center)> 
was  born  February  27,  1825,  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the 
son  of  Gideon  and  Elizabeth  McMillen;  the  former  born  in  Luzerne 
County,  Penn.,  and  moved  when  young  to  Delaware  County,  Ohio. 
He  carried  on  the  milling  business.  He  came  with  his  family  to 
Coles  County,  111.,  now  Cumberland  County,  settled  about  two  miles 
north  of  where  he  died,  March  3,  18(34,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  18.")0,  to  Harriet  Bennett, 
of  tlie  same  county.  After  marriage  he  worked  his  father's  farm  two 
years,  and  then  bought  forty  acres,  where  he  lived  a  short  time.  April 
13,  18")i>,  he  left  for  Pike's  Peak  with  a  party  of  five  and  three  yoke 
of  oxen,  and  landed  where  is  now  Denver,  July  4,  1859.  They  then 
went  into  the  Gregory  Diggings  and  prospected  there  about  six 
weeks ;  then  to  Fair  Play  Diggings  and  Avorked  there  until  driven  out 
by  cold ;  thence  to  the  pinery  and  furnished  hewed  logs  for  houses  in 
Denver.  The  first  house  they  built  there  was  for  a  colored  man  named 
"  Uncle  "  Reuben.  They  built  a  shoe  shop  for  $100,  receiving  for  the 
same  four  pairs  of  boots  in  payment.  They  continued  in  getting  out. 
wood  and  shingles  till  spring,  and  then  went  to  Colorado  City  and  put 
up  two  buildings,Avhich  they  sold  when  completed;  went  mining  in  the 
California  Gulch;  worked  there  about  four  months;  was  taken  sick, 
and  returned  to  Denver.  Finding  no  work  there,  he  drove  one  yoke 
of  oxen  from  Denver  to  his  home  in  Illinois,  arriving  there  Xovem- 
ber  2,  1860,  occupying  al)out  three  months  in  tiiis  journey.  He  then 
took  charge  of  his  father's  farm,  and  raised  one  crop.  August  31, 
1861,  he  traded  his  yoke  of  oxen  for  a  horse,  went  to  Camp  Butler 
and  enlisted  in  (jompany  A,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  three 
years.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  and  was  promoted,  in  about  fourteen 
months,  to  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  and  was  mustered  out  August 
25, 1864,  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  Theirs  being  an  independent  regiment, 
they  were  constantly  engaged  in  skirmishes  and  scouting  through 
the  country.  The  first  regular  battle  was  at  Cotton  Plant,  Ark., 
where  he  was  wounded  l)y  his  horse  falling  on  him  while  crossing  a 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

bridge  near  Trenton,  Ark.,  December  <s,  1S;;2.  He  has  never  recov- 
ered from  this  injnry.  About  the  last  of  May,  their  command  was 
ordered  to  Vieksburg.  They  took  boats  and  proceeded  there,  laud- 
in«r  June  1,  l'S()3.  He  was  also  hurt  there  by  a  horse  ruuninir  over 
him,  iniurinij-  his  rio-ht  breast.  This  he  has  not  recovered  from. 
June  3,  they  were  ordered  to  watch  the  enemy,  and  encountered 
him  in  tlie  rear  of  Vieksburg,  having  there  a  skirmish,  taking 
twenty-four  prisonei-s;  remained  in  the  rear  of  Vieksburg  doing  skir- 
mishing duty,  and  so  continued  till  the  surrender  of  Vieksburg,  July  1, 
1SG3.  July  5,  they  crossed  the  Black  River,  on  their  way  to  Jack- 
son, Miss.,  where  they  captured  the  enemy's  entire  picket-post, 
at  about  9  A.  M.;  soon  after  encountering  Johnson's  rear-guard, 
skirmished  with  them  till  nisfht.  There  they  sat  in  their  sad- 
dies  all  night.  As  soon  as  it  was  light  they  moved  on,  driv- 
ing them  throuo'h  Clinton.  Thev  contested  every  inch  of  the 
ground  till  they  were  driven  to  their  fortifications  at  Jackson. 
There  they  fought  about  eight  days,  when  Johnson's  command 
evacuated  their  fortifications.  They  captured  their  rear-guard,  con- 
sisting of  800  to  1,000  prisonei-s,  and  their  pontoon  bridge,  with 
their  wagons.  Their  regiment,  with  the  Fourth  Illinois  and  Third 
and  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry  Brigade,  started  for  Canton,  ^liss.,  ]iro- 
ceeding  as  far  as  Pearl  River,  where  they  were  repulsed  and  driven 
back.  ReeeiviniT  reinforcements  of  infantrv  and  artillerv,  thev  pro- 
ceeded  to,  and  captured  Canton,  taking  300  to  400  priso  lers.  They 
destroyed  a  train  laden  with  stores  and  ammunition,  the  railroad 
machine  shop,  and  tore  up  the  railroad  track;  also  destroyed  five 
locomotives.  They  returned  to  O.ik  Ridge  and  Avent  into  camp, 
where  thev  laid  durinsT  the  month  of  August.  On  Auiiust  4  he 
got  a  furlough  to  come  home,  where  he  remained  till  August  2'). 
when  he  returned  to  his  command.  On.  account  of  the  boat  running 
aground  he  was  delayed  in  reaching  Vieksburg  till  about  the  Gth  of 
September.  The  following  day  the  regiment  Avas  ordered  out  on  a 
scout,  met  with  the  enemy  early  in  the  day;  drove  them  till  about  2 
o'clock  when  they  made  a  stanl  on  a  hill,  and  there  made  a  charge  on 
them,  driving  thcma'^ross  an  open  fijld  into  the  woods.  There  they 
made  another  stand — the  enemy  firing  on  them,  wounding  a  number 
of  their  men  and  taking  one  prisoner.  After  receiving  reinforcement^i 
they  drove  the  enemy  till  night,  when  they  fell  back  a  couple  of  miles 
and  went  into  camp.  The  following  morning  they  moved  on  the 
enemy  and  skirmished  Avith  them  all  day;  that  night  a  negro  gave 
them  information  where  tiiey  could  gain  an   entrance   between  the 


UNION    TOWNSHIP.  359 

main  army  and  the  pickot-post,  and  thov  (jqjtured  the  entire  post, 
oonsistinij  of  tweutv-four  men  and  the  commandin"-  officer.  The 
next  morninuf  they  went  into  camp  near  Vicksl)nro-,  Avhcre  they 
remained  some  time.  Tliev  were  then  ordered  to  Natchez,  where 
they  skirmislied  several  days,  Avhen  tlieir  company  was  detaclied  as 
sconts,  reporting  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  With  their  com- 
mand they  remained  until  the  enemy  fell  back  from  Natchez.  They 
then  returned  to  Vieksburg,  where  they  remained  durino-  the  win- 
ter. The  followina"  spring  and  summer  they  were  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  in  Mississii)pi,  Louisiana,  Arkansas  and  Tennessee,  with  head- 
(juarters  at  Vieksburg,  Avhere  he  was  mustered  out  August  25,  1804, 
and  returned  to  Cumberland  County,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In 
October,  18(54,  he  moved  to  his  farm,  consisting  of  100  acres,  about 
seventy-rive  acres  improved.  He  built  his  house  in  1875;  cost  about 
$500.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  Monroe,  No.  100. 
In  closing  this  sketch  we  will  further  add  that,  in  selecting  a 
wife,  Mr.  McMillen  has  made  an  admirable  choice,  she  being  of  a 
cheerful  and  hospitable  disposition,  and  having  won  the  esteem  of 
her  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 

WILLLA.M  NEAL,  farmer  and  dealer  in  live  stock,  was  born 
November  1,  1817,  in  Bourbon  County,  K3^,  and  is  the  son  of  James 
M.  and  Matilda  Neal,  also  natives  of  Kentucky.  His  father  carried 
on  the  shoe-making  trade,  afterward  blacksmitliing  and  farmino-. 
The  family  emigrated  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  in  1827.  In  the 
summcL' of  1830,  his  father,  in  company  with  James  Gill,  came  to 
this  locality  and  entered  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  then  returned  to 
Palestine,  Avliere  the  land  office  was  then  located.  He  died  in 
August,  1830,  aged  forty-six  years.  William,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  in  company  with  his  mother,  came  to  the  land  his  father  had 
entered.  They  at  once  commenced  improving  it,  and  soon  after  he 
entered  IGO  acres  where  Diona  is  now  situated.  He  also  bought 
sixty  acres  where  Toledo  now  is.  This  he  afterward  sold.  He  now 
owns  317  acres  in  Sections  1  and  2.  Their  house  Avas  built  in  1853, 
and  rebuilt  in  18()7.  It  cost  in  all  about  $2,000.  His  barn  is  44x64 
feet,  is  the  finest  in  the  toAvnship,  and  was  built  in  18lJ7.  It  cost  about 
$3,000.  He,  with  his  son.  Dr.  J.  W.  Neal,  is  now  carrying  on  the 
drug  business  in  Charleston.  He  Avas  married,  November,  1840,  to 
Rebecca  C.  Ryan,  of  CraAvford  County.  She  av.'is  born  November 
2.5,  1822;  died  in  1847.  They  had  four  children,  one  living- — John 
F.;  lost  one  in  infancy;  Mary  M.,died  in  1880,  aged  thirty-nine 
years;  George  W.,  died  December  14,  1882,  aged  thirty-nine  years. 


3(30  BIOGIIAPHICAL   SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND   COUNTY: 

His  secoml  inarria!j:o  was  to  Sarah  Delap,  in  l<si<S.  She  was  born  in 
Crawford  County,  and  died  in  185().  They  have  four  chikh-en,  viz.: 
Albert  A.,  James  W.,  Nancy  J.,  wife  of  James  T.  Conrad,  and 
Matihla  E.,  Avife  of  John  ^V.  Conrad.  His  third  niarriasfe  was  hi 
1858,  to  Jane  Hul>bard,  of  Indiana.  She  died  ]\Liy  10,  1879,  aged 
fiftv-nine  years.  His  mother  died  in  Davis  County,  Iowa,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-three  years. 

JOHN  F.  XEAL,  w^agon-maker,  Union  Center,  was  born  May 
29,  1845,  in  Union  Township,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Rebecca 
Neal,  of  Kentucky.  In  1827,  they  emigrated  to  Crawford  County, 
111,  and  in  the  summer  of  1830  they  came  to  this  locality.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  his  father's  fann.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  till  February  28, 1865.  He  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Prairieville,  Ky.,  Mission  Ridge, Hoover's  Gap,  Fann- 
inaton,  Noonday,  and  others.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  went  to  Col- 
orado, and  there  followed  teaming  on  the  plains,  prospecting  and 
mininii"  at  Georgetown,  Col.,  seven  years.  He  traveled  through  Cal- 
ifornia, Nevada,  Montana,  and  w^as  absent  about  ten  ye^irs.  On  return- 
ino-  home  he  remained  on  his  father's  farm  about  two  years,  then 
rented  a  farm,  and  there  remained  three  years.  He  engaged  in  the 
wagon  business  in  1882.  He  was  married  September  26,  1879,  to 
Lettie  A.  Roberts.     She  was  born  in  Cumberland  County. 

JOHN  E.  STALLINGS,  farmer,  born  March  18, 1813,  in  Bullitt 
County,  Ky.,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Nancy  StiiUings.  His  father 
was  also  a  native  of  this  State,  his  mother  of  Virginia.  At  the  age 
of  two  years  his  parents  removed  to  Harrison  County,  Ind.  There 
they  lived  on  a  farm,  Avliere  they  died  at  an  advanced  age.  In  1844 
he  moved  to  Coles  County  and  raised  one  crop.  In  January,  1845, 
became  to  Union  Township  and  bought  160  acres  of  land,  there  be- 
inir  but  five  acres  cleared.  This  land  is  now  Avell  improved;  also  other 
lands  w^hich  he  has  since  bought  and  improved,  now  owning  in  all 
380  acres.  He  first  located  on  Section  26,  and  has  recently  moved 
to  Section  35.  His  sou,  William  IL,  occupies  the  old  homestead. 
He  married  Mary  E.  Grosshart  in  October,  1840.  She  Avas  born  in 
Indiana  in  1820,  and  died  in  1853.  They  have  five  children,  viz.: 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  E.  Closson;  Nancy  A.,  wife  of  L.  Cooper;  Sarah  E., 
wife  of  James  Jenkins;  Tabitha  E.,  wife  of  Madison  Jones,  and  Mi- 
nerva A.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Rtichel  J.  Grosshart,  in  1854. 
She  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ind.,  in  1830.  They  have  four 
children,  viz.:  William  H.,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  F.  Pennington;  John 


UNION    TOWNSIIII'.  3()1 

^y.  and  Lmiuji  A.  Since  coniinii-  horo,  Mr.  Stallin^jf.s  liii,s  been 
t'ligairod  ill  the  wagon,  wheelwright  and  carpenters'  trade,  althoiio-h 
principally  fanning,  and  he  has  succeeded  in  placing  himself  in  com- 
fortable circumstances. 

JOSKPIIW.  STROCKBIXE,  farmer,  was  born  February  2(1 
1821>,  in  Perry  County,  Ohio,  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Frances  Strock- 
bine,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia.  His  father  died  in  1<S4(;,  ao-ed 
sixty-four  3'ears.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  brought  up  on  their 
tarm,  living  with  his  mother  till  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1849 
aged  sixty-one  years.  H(>  then  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  on 
this  land.  He  entered  120  acres,  now  owns  lOO  acres  improved.  He 
was  married  March  2;>,  I.Sal,  to  Harriet  Nigh.  She  was  born  July 
21»,  1.S8;),  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  They  have  six  children,  viz.: 
Mary  F.,  Avife  of  John  Luke;  Christian  C.,  Emelia  C.,  wifcof  EUrid'^e 
McMackin;  Harriet  A.,  wife  of  M.  Rliue;  Lewis  F.,  Mattie  E.  Lewis 
F.  has  been  a  student  at  the  Westfield  College  two  years,  and  contem- 
plates finishing  his  studies  at  this  college.  He  is  now  in  his  eio-ht- 
eenth  year.  Peter  Nigh,  lather  of  Mrs.  Strockbine,  died  February 
17,  1844.  Her  mother  died  October  30,  1874,  aged  eighty-seven  years. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  This  church 
is  located  on  his  farm,  having  been  built  in  1881.     It  cost  $1,200. 

W.  G.  WALLING,  farmer,  was  born  April  J>,  1815,  in  Boss 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  James  8.  and  Margaret  Walliu"-,  he 
V)eing  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Koss 
County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  assisted  his  father  on  their  farm 
till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1837,  in  September  of  that  year. 
He  married  Eliza  A.  Pennington,  who  was  born  July  29,  1820,  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  had  nine  children,  three  living,  ifour  of  whom 
died  in  infancy,  viz. :  William,  died  May  10, 1877,  aged  seventeen  years; 
Uriah  died  October,  1878,  aged  twenty-two  yeai-s.  The  survivinf*- 
chiklren  arc,  James,  David  and  Mary,  wife  of  William  Stanberry.  His 
son  James  has  been  Township  Clerk.  He  managed  his  father's  farm 
two  yejirs.  In  1840  Mr.  Walling  came  to  Union  Township  and 
entered  1(50  acres,  then  bought  eighty  acres.  He  afterward  traded  1()0 
acres,  and  bought  120  acres  in  Section  9,  about  100  acres  of  which  he 
has  improved.  He  has  just  completed  a  very  comfortiible  home  which 
cost  about  $400. 

ISR.VEL  YANAWAY,  farmer  and  live-stock,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 1,  isll,  in  Washington,  Washington  Co.,  Penn.,  and  is  the  son 
of  Henry  and  Kegina  Yanaway.  His  father  carried  on  the  trade  of 
shoemaking,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in   Kushville,  Fairfield  Co.,  Ohio, 


3G2  lilOGliAl'HK'AL    SKKTC'IIKS — (  l.M  I'.KKF.AM)    rOlNTV: 

and  was  Po.stmaster  at  tlie  lattor  place,  where  he  died,  ao-ed  sixty- 
three  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  worked  out  by  the  mouth 
till  the  aofo  of  twcutv-two,  when  he  luarried  Eftie  Sturijeou,,  ^Nlarch 
20,  1h;W.  She  was  boru  |in  Fairtield  County.  Ohio,  Auii'ust,  1812. 
Thev  have  had  uiue  children,  four  livin<>-.  viz.:  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
John  Strockl)ine  ;  Reii-ina,  wife  of  Lafayette  Stultz  :  Jane,  wife  of 
PUunl)er  vSidwell,  and  Samuel  S.  Three  died  in  infancy;  Henry  died 
in  1 81)7,  aged  twenty-three,  from  injury  sustained  l)y  a  horse  falliuir 
on  him;  Lucinda,  wife  of  Jacol)  Rliinel)olt.  died  October  IG,  1872. 
ao-ed  thirty-two  years.  In  l.s42,  he  came  to  Cumbi'rland  County, 
bouo-ht  160  acres  of  land  where  he  now  lives,  and  from  time  to  time 
has  bouirht  other  land,  now  owning  alwut  1,000  acres,  mostly  imdei- 
cidtivation.  When  he  first  came  here,  the  courts  were  held  in 
Greenup,  in  a  \ofc  schoolhouse.  lie  opened  the  tirst  drug  store  in 
the  county,  this  l)eing  at  Prairie  City;  coutinued  the  business  about 
iifteen  years.  lie  then  traded  this  store  for  land,  and  returned  to 
his  flirm,  Avhere  he  has  since  remained.  Tliis  farm  is  stocked  with 
six  horses,  fifty  head  of  cattle,  he  having  had  as  high  as  ninety-seven 
head;  also,  about  fifty  hogs  and  seveuty-five  sheep,  etc. 

S.  S.  YAXAWAY,  farmer  and  live  stock;  born  March  :J,  1840, 
in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  is  the  son  of  Israel  and  Eftie  Yanaway. 
At  the  age  of  four  years,  his  parents  came  to  Cuniberland  County, 
and  settled  in  Union  Township;  he  was  brought  up  on  his  fathers  farm. 
He  was  married  April  14,  18(;;').  to  ]Mary  E.  Decker.  Her  parents 
emiofi'ated  to  Cumberland  Countv  at  an  earlv  dav.  Thev  had  seven 
children,  five  liviug,  viz.:  Israel  W..  Tiiomas  R.,  Samuel  B.,  William 
J.,  and  Mary  R.  Harry  A.  and  Charles  W.  died  when  two  years 
old.  After  mai'riage,  he  settled  on  his  present  farm,  at  that  time 
but  forty  acres.  He  has  been  adding  to  this  as  his  means  would 
allow,  and  now  owns  over  500  acres,  mostly  improvc^l.  11(>  also  had 
charge  of  his  father's  fiirm  during  his  absence  of  about  fift'cen  years 
in  Prairie  City,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  He 
attended  to  hiring  and  paying  oft'  hands,  disposing  of  stock  and  pro- 
duce, and  had  general  supervision  of  the  entire  business.  They  are 
members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  in  Christ. 


\V(»()i)iui;v  TowNsiiu'.  3()3 


WOODBURY    TOWNSHIP. 

BAZIL  P)1\0^\'N  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  on  Novom- 
bor  2C).  1(S85.  His  father,  B.  Brown,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
April  28,  1793,  and  moved  to  Kentucky,  with  his  parents,  and  later, 
in  1.S12,  to  Ohio,  and  in  1848,  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Cumberland 
County,  where  he  engaged  iu  farming.  He  died  on  May  20,  1854; 
his  widow  on  ^Nlareh  i>,  1878.  Tliey  were  both  prominent  members 
ot  tfle  Baptist  Chureh,  he  having  been  a  minister  of  that  denomina- 
tion for  several  years.  Bazil  received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  taught  school  for  ten  years.  He  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  sixteen  years,  and  as  ToAvnship  Treasurer  for  six  yeai's. 
On  October  G,  1859,  he  married  Laura  A.,  daughter  of  Lsvi  and 
Mary  Farmer,  of  Guilford  County,  N.  C.  She  was  born  on  February 
22,  1843.  They  have  had  seven  children  born  to  them,  viz.:  Almii-.i, 
Lafayette,  Alva  N.,  Sonora  B.,  Otis  L.,  Orrin  L.  and  Joseph  W. 
(twins).  ]Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  of  the 
Methodist  p4)iscopal  Church.  He  is  a  [)rosperous  farmer  and  lumber 
dealer,  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  he  resides^ 

]\IABT1N  MOUDY,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Md.,  on  October  16,  1812.  He  remained  in  his  native 
State  until  the  age  of  twenty  years,  working  on  a  farm  and  attending 
a  common  school.  In  1833,  he  came  to  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  be«-Mn  the  studv  of  medicine.  In  183(5  and  1837,  he  attended  the 
Fairtield  ^ledical  College,  of  New  York,  from  which  institution  he 
graduated  iu  1S88.  Returning  to  Ohio,  he  began  practicing  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  Martin,  of  Xenia.  In  1841,  he  came  to  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.,  and  followed  his  profession  for  three  years.  Removing  then  to 
Diuiville,  III.,  he  eniraired  for  some  time  in  millino-and  farming,  then 
returned  to  Terre  Haute,  and  resumed  his  old  practice,  which  he 
contimied  for  eleven  years.  He  tlien  removed  to  his  present  home, 
in  Cumberland  County,  III.,  in  1870,  where  he  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent physicians  of  the  county.  In  1834,  the  Doctor  married  Marga- 
ret McClnrc,  of  Augusta  County,  Va.  They  have  had  ten  children 
born  to  tiieni,  viz.:  John  (deceased),  Joseph,  Martin,  Hiram  S., 
FJlcn  J.,  All)ert  (deceased),  George  (deceased),  Robert  B.,  Daniel 
W.,  and  Samuel  II. 

J.  W.  BOOTH  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  in  181fl.    His 
lather,  \\'a(le   Booth,    was   born    near   Richmond,   Va.,  and  came  to 

22 


'Mi  BIO(}RAPHICAL    SKETCHES — CUMBERLAND    COUNTY: 

Indiana  as  one  of  the  first  settlers,  livini;- first  in  Oraiijre  County,  and 
tlicn  niovinir  to  Viiifo  Couiitv,  at  whicli  place  he  lived  tor  thirtv-five 
vears.  From  there  he  moved  to  Oarle  Countv,  111.,  where  he  died  in 
l<So6,  his  wife  dying  in  Saint  Mary's,  Ind.,  in  1 8()2.  Our  subject  spent 
his  earlv  davs  on  a  farm,  reeeivinof  only  a  oommon  school  education. 
At  the  ag-e  of  sixteen,  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  carpenter  and  join- 
ers' trade,  and  followed  it  until  the  breaking-  out  of  the  war,  when 
he  enlisted  in  a  detachment  under  McClellaii,  commanded  by  Major 
Barker,  and  afterwards  became  attached  to  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cav- 
alrv,  in  which  he  served  his  time.  an<l  was  honorablv  discharired  in 
August,.  18()4.  at  New  Orleans,  L:i.  In  18ij7,  he  purchased  an  unim- 
proved farm,  six  miles  south  of  Vandalia,  111.,  which,  after  improv- 
ing, he  disposed  of,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  at  Aul)urn, 
111.,  for  two  years.  During  the  past  nine  years,  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  same  business  at  Jewett,  111.,  and  is  rated  as  one  of  the  most 
successful  and  enterprising  business  men  in  this  section.  On  Octo- 
ber 14,  1844,  he  married  Emma  Hcubest,  a  native  of  England. 
Seven  children  have  been  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  living, 
viz.:  Lyman  W.,  Lavina,  and  Frances. 

JOSEPH  KING  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  on  Octo- 
ber HI,  1S23,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Frances  (Shelton)  King, 
who  were  natives  of  KentuckA'  but  came  to  Washinirton  Countv, 
Ind.,  among  the  first  settlers,  where  Mrs.  King  died.  Soon  after  this 
event  Mr.  King  moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  followed 
farming  until  his  death.  Our  subject's  grandfather  was  a  soldier  of 
the  llevolution.  In  I.S41>  our  subject  came  to  Cumberland  County,  111., 
and  located  on  a  farm  three  miles  from  Avhat  is  now  called  Toledo. 
In  1875  he  eno-a^ed  in  the  mercantile  trade,  at  Toledo,  which  busi- 
ness  he  followed  until  ISSO,  since  which  time  lie  has  resided  at  Jew- 
ett. In  184()  he  married  Macv  A.,  dausfhter  of  William  and  Tabitha 
(Edwards)  Russell.  She  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ind.,  on 
November  27,  ls2I.  There  were  three  children,  now  living,  born  to 
thenj,  vi/..:  Jam«s  T.,  Joseph  S.,  and  John  W.  For  thirty-seven 
3'ears  Mr.  King  and  wife  have  been  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
He  has  been  a  life-long  Democi-at  in  politics,  Mr.  King  has  a  beau- 
lifnl  home,  and  is  highly  est(^cnied  in  the  cx»niniunity  in  which  he 
resides. 


si'iMN(i   I'oiNi    rowNsiiii'.  3G5 


SPRING  POINT  TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN  B.  ADAMS  i«  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  July  1. 
\S2H,  and  was  married,  in  iiis  native  land,  in  18')4,  to  Annie  Cramer, 
who  was  l)orn  Ai)ril  i),  1827.  The  year  of  their  marriacfe  the  young 
oou[)le  came  to  America  and  located  in  Dane  County,  Wis.;  in  186.") 
they  Ciime  to  Cumberland  County,  and  here  Mr.  Adams  purchased, 
at  first,  forty  acres  of  land,  which,  by  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment, he  has  increased  to  2,").')  acres,  the  greater  portion  well 
improved.  Mr.  Adams  has  had  born  to  him  ten  children — Maggie 
(deceased),  Katie,  John,  Joseph,  Peter,  Vinceniies,  Mathias,  Henry, 
Annie  and  Clement  (the  last  named  deceased).  Mr.  Adams  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

LEMAX  FAUNCE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y., 
July  80,  1822.  He  is  the  son  of  Noah  M.  and  Lydia  R.  (Barton) 
Faunce.  The  former  was  born  November  20,  1797,  and  spent  his 
eiirly  life  as  a  carpenter  and  millwright,  and  later  as  a  farmer.  He 
moved  to  Geauga  County,  Ohio,  at  an  earl}^  day,  and  lived  there 
some  eight  years.  Dis[)osing  of  his  property  there,  he  came  to  Cum- 
berland Coimty.  111.,  in  1837,  where  he  entered  300  acres  of  land, 
improving  1(50  acres  of  it.  He  also  built  the  first  mill  in  that  part 
of  the  countr}',  near  Charleston,  on  the  Amboy  River.  He  was  a 
strong  believer  in  Mormonism,  and  a  preacher  of  that  denomination. 
He  was  with  the  Mormons  at  the  time  of  their  disl)andment  at  Nau- 
voo,  and  then  returned  to  Cumberland  County.  His  wife,  mother  ot 
our  sul)ject,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  born  November  21, 
179it,  and  died  May  23,  1849.  Our  subject  received  a  common  edu- 
CJition,  and  follows  farmin<):.  About  1847  he  married  Julia  D.  Garrett 
who  was  born  September  11, 1829,  and  died  November  24,  1874.  To 
them  were  born  six  children,  Noah  M.,  Sarah  E.,  Mary  E.  (deceased), 
Maria  P.,  Mav  C-  and  Mao-o-ie  R.  Mr.  Faunce  is  a  cfood  farmer  and 
highly  respected.  He  has  been  a  lifMong  Democrat,  but  liberal  in 
his  views.  In  1880  he  lost  his  eye-sight  from  illness.  He — as  was 
his  father — is  a  strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  Mormonism. 

LEWIS  SCHOOL EY  was  born  in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio, 
December  22,  1.S22.  He  is  one  of  the  seven  children  born  to  Henry 
and  Rachel  (lleston)  Schooley.  The  former  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
but  came  to  Ohio  when  a  young  man.     He  there  engaged  in  farming 


366 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


for  a  few  years,  antl  afterwanl  moved  to  New  Albany,  at  whioli 
place  he  died.  The  mother  of  om*  subject  died  when  he  was  seven 
years  of  age.  Our  subject  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  a  calling  which 
he  followed  in  Ohio  until  1838,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  Martin 
County,  Ind.  On  April  1,  1849,  he  came  to  Cumberhmd  County  111.,  and 
bought  forty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  now  resides,  for  which  he  paid 
$1.2.5  per  acre.  He  had  the  small  sum  of  $3  left  after  paying  for  his 
farm;  this  he  paid  out  for  provisions  for  his  family.  lie  then  went 
to  work  for  fifty  cents  per  day.  By  hard  labor  and  economy  he  has 
accumulated  a  fine  farm  consistins:  of  30.5  acres,  with  good  buildinofs, 
and  all  well  improved.  Mr.  Schoolej'^  has  been  twice  married;  tiie 
first  wi^e  was  Elizabeth  Walker,  a  native  of  Martin  County,  Ind..  who 
died  about  1847.  His  second  wife  was  Jennette  Watson,  she  also 
being  a  native  of  Martin  County,  Ind.  To  them  were  born  Calel:), 
Rjichel  (deceased),  Cynthiana,  Sarah  A.  (deceased),  John  T.,  Emma, 
Mary  E.,  Xora  (deceased). 


,.  „,  m$ 


^ 


PART  III. 


HISTORY  OF  JASPER  COUiNTY. 


BY  J.  H.  BATTLE. 


c 


ORGANIZATION  AND  CONDITION. 

ACT  OF  CHKATIOX. 

KAWFORD  COUNTY,  one  ofthcsix  coiinticjs  organized  In  181fi, 
oriiiinally  comprised  the  territory  inolnded  between  the  AVa- 


\JL  l^  I  im  I   I   y       V\/llll/llO*_Vl        L'H\_/        IV,*1II\/1>        1HV11.H.I\..\^1      PJ^l-»»\-y^l*        lllV^        ITt4—  ^»V 

bash  and  Kaskaskia  rivers,  and  from  the  line  of  its  present Kout hern     / 
boundaries  to  the  northern  limit  of  the  United  States.    In  isl'J,  Clark    ' 
County  was  formed,  its  limits  extendinu-  alonij-  the  whole  line  of  the 
northern  l)Ounds  of  Crawford,  enrtailino-  its  northern  limit  to  its  pres- 
ent line.     Until  1821,  the  people  of  the  vast  territory  thus  described, 
transacted  legal  business  at  Palestine.     In  this  year,  Fayette  County 
Avas  formed,  taking  the  territory  west  of  the  present  boundary  of 
J^ffingliam,  and  in  1881,  Effingham  and  Jasper  counties  were  formed. 
There  seems  to  have  been  no  special  effort  put  forth  on  the  part  of 
the  residents  of  this  section  of  Crawford  County  for  an  independent 
organization,  but  this  followed  naturally  in  the  evolution  of  the  Leg- 
islative phui.     Palestine,  then  the  count^'-seat  of  Crawford  County, 
was  tht'  center  of  trade  as  well  as  of  legal  l)usiness,  and  the  inconven- 
ien-e  of  the  distant  lo/ation  of  the  county-seat  was  not  so  seriously 
felt  as  when  a  community  haye  a  nearer  trading  point  than  the  seat 
of  justice.     So  tar  as  the  records  of  the  parent  county  show,  there  was 
no  agitation  cither  pro  or  con  in  relation  to  a  new  county,  though 
the   act  of  the  Legislature  forming  the    county  was  undoubtedly 
received  with  satisfaction  as  furnishing  the  citizens  greater  opportu- 
nity of  political  distinction  and  a  new  impulse  to  the  development  of* 
this  section. 

It  was  in  the  session  of  1830-31,  that  the  Legislature  passed  the 
following  a^t,  which  was  approve  1  February  1.'),  l.s;U: 

"  Sec.  1 .     JJf  it  enacU'd  hy  (Jk^  People  of  tlic  State  of  I/h'nois  rej)- 
resenied  in  the  General  AsmnUy :  That  all  that  tract  of  country  Wnig 

3C7 


368  HisToin   OF  .iasi'?:k  coimv. 

within  the  t'()lh)\viiiir  boiiiKlaries,  to  wit:  Boginnino:  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  Seetion  No.  22,  of  Township  5  north,  in  Kanire  No.  14  west, 
of  the  second  principal  meridian,  thence  north  with  the  sectional  line 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  No.  8,  of  Township  No.  s  north, 
in  Kanire  Xo.  4  west;  thence  west  with  the  line  dividing  Townships 
Sand  !•  nortli,  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  Xo.  0,  in  Range 
No.  8  east;  thence  south  with  the  line  dividing  Ranges  Xos.  7  and  8 
east,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  No.  IK,  in  Townshii)  No.  ;') 
north;  thence  east  with  the  section  line  to  the  phice  of  beginning, 
shall  constitute  a  county  hereiifter  to  be  organize;l  on  petition  of  a 
majority  of  the  legal  voters  therein,  which  shall  b-  railed  the  county 
of  Jasper;  and  the  county-seat  thereof,  wlien  srlected  and  located, 
shall  be  called  Newton. 

"Sec.  2.     (This  relates  to  the  Ijoundaries    and  comity-seat  of 

Effingham  County). 

"Sec  o.     Nathan  Moss,  William  Magill  and  Asahel   Heath,  are 
hereby  appointed  Commissioners  to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  for  the 
county  of  Jasper,  and  John  Haley,  James  (jalloway  and  John  Hall, 
are  hereby  ajipointed  Commissioners  to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  for 
the  county  of  Etfinghani.     The  said  Commissioners,  or  a  majoiity  of 
them,  are  hereby  required  to  proceed  to  examine  the  said  cinmties 
respectively,  at  any  time  they  may  agree  ui)on,  previous  to  the  first 
day  of  November  next,  and  with  an  eye  to  the  best  interest  of  said 
counties,  shall  select  a  suitable  place  for  the  seat  of  justice  for  each 
of  said  counties.     The  Commissioners  respectively  are  hereby  em- 
powered to  receive  from  the  owner  of  such  lands  as  they  may  select 
for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  a  donation  of  not  less  than  twenty  acres, 
or  they  may  receive  donations  in  money,  which  shall  be  applied  to 
the  purchase  of  lands  for  such  [)urpose:  and  in  either  case  they  shall 
tiik(^  good  and  sufficient  deeds  therefor,  granting  the  land  in  fee  sim- 
ple for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  counties,  as  the  case  may  be.     The 
Commissioners  if  they  shall  select  lands  belonging  to  government, 
shall  i)iirchase  a  half  (piarter  section  in  each  of  said  counties,  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  such  county,  i)rovided  tliey  shall  receive  donations 
in   money   sufficient  to   make  such  purchase  or  purchases.      When 
the  Commissioners  shall  have  made  the  selection  of  land  for  the  per- 
manent seat  of  justice  for  the  respective  counties,  those  for  the  county 
of  Jasper  shall  report  their  procee;lings  to  the  Recorder  of  Crawford 
('o\mty,  and  those  for  tii(>  county  of  Effingham  shall  report  their  pro- 
ceedings to  the  R'conler  of  Fayette  County,   who  shall  receive  and 
keep  the  same  in  their  respe  -five  offices  until  the  said  counties  shall 


HISTORY    OF   JASl'EH    COUNTY.  369 

be  organized,  when  tliey  shall  transmit  the  same  to  the  elerUs  ot'the 
aforesaid  new  counties  respectively."  Tlu^  balance  of  the  act  pro- 
vides that  those  locating-  shall  receive  for  their  services  $.'5  per  day, 
to  l)e  paid  out  of  the  first  monies  arising  from  the  sale  of  lots. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  for  Jasper  County  made  their 
re})ort,  it  is  pr()l)able,  in  due  form,  but  it  failed  to  find  a  record,  or 
is  so  lost  in  the  mass  of  early  business  as  not  now  to  be  traced  in  the 
Crawford  County  ai"chives.  However,  the  Legislature  became  cog- 
nizant of  their  action,  and  in  December,  1.S34,  passed  "  An  act  to 
Org-anize  the  County  of  Jasper,"  as  follows: 

"  Sec  1 .  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  llUnois  repre- 
sented in  the  General  Assembly,  That  on  the  fourth  Monday  in  January 
next,  between  the  hours  of  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  seven 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  an  election  shall  be  held  in  the  town  of  New- 
ton, in  the  county  of  Jasper,  for  three  County  Commissioners,  one 
Sherifi' and  one  Coroner  for  said  County,  who  shall  continue  in  office 
until  their  successors  shall  be  duly  elected  and  ((ualified. 

'*  Sec  2.  David  Phillips,  W.  ^I.  Richards  and  William  Price,  or  any 
two  of  them,  shall  be  judges  of  election,  and  shall  be  authorized  to 
appoint  two  clerks,  and  shall  be  qualified  in  the  same  manner  as 
judges  and  clerks  of  elections  are  now  required  by  law,  and  said  elec- 
tion shall,  in  every  respect,  be  conducted  in  conformity  with  the  elec- 
tion laws  of  this  State. 

"  Sec  3.  The  location  of  the  seat  of  justice  made  by  Commission- 
ers appointed  by  the  act  creating  said  county  of  Jasper,  and  all  their 
acts  properly  appertaining  to  their  duties  as  such,  are  hereby  rati- 
fied and  confirmed. 

'*Sec.  4.  Said  county  of  Jasper  shall  be  attached  to  the  Fourth 
Judicial  Circuity,  and  shall  vote  with  the  county  of  Crawford  in  the 
election  of  Reprcsentiitives  to  the  State  Legislature,  and  with  the 
counties  of  Crawford  and  Lawrence  in  Senatorial  elections."  This 
act  was  approved  December  19,  1834,  and  in  accordance  with  its  pro- 
visions an  election  was  held  at  Newton,  in  the  following  month, 
which  resulted  in  the  election  of  W.  M.  Richards,  George  Matting- 
ley  and  F.  \V.  H.  Claycomb,  as  Commissioners;  Lnvis  W.  Jourdan, 
Sheritl*,  and  Richard  Watson,  Coroner. 

ORIGIN  OF  NAME. 

In  the  origin  of  the  name  of  the  county  and  seat  of  justice,  the 
preference  of  the  peoi)le  does  not  seem  to  have  been  consulted.  The 
whole  nation  seems  to  have  been  absorbed  in  the  contemplation  of 


370  HISTOIIY    OJ'   JASPER    COUNTY. 

the  history  and  inenioirs  of  the  Revolution  heroes,  and  the  publica- 
tion  which  imniortjilized  the  fame  of  Marion's  men,  then  being  new, 
natui-dlly  furnished  the  names  of  Jasper  and  Newton.     Weem's  book 
was  the  early  text  book  in  the  schools  and  the  classic  of  its  day. 
The  name  of  Jasper  is  a  tril)ute  to  that  heroic  devotion  which  Ameri- 
cans are  glad  to  honor  in  the  subordinate  as  well  as  in  the  chieftiiin. 
Among  the  garrison  of  Fort  Moultrie,  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  harbor, 
on  the  28th  of  June,  1776,  was  a  Sergeant  l)y  the  name  of  Jasper. 
It  was  on  this  day  that  the  British  fleet,  which  had  occupied  the  liar- 
bor,  opened  the  attack  upon  the  fort  with  such  a  heavy  and  well- 
directed  fire,  as  to  cause  the  observing  patriots  on  the  shore  to  trem- 
ble for  the  outcome  of  the  conflict.     Once  during  the  day,  as  the  smoke 
from  a  terrific  cannonading  cleared  away,  the  flag  of  the  fort  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen.     The  shot  of  the  fleet  had  carried  it  away,  and 
the  anxious  spectators,  with  sinking  hearts,  feared  the  fort  had  struck 
its  flag  to  the  foe.     But  the  ensign  had  not  fallen  willingly  nor  unno- 
ticed.    In  face  of  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  that  fell  upon  the  gar- 
rison, Sergeant  Jasper  rescued  the  flag,  and  in  a  perfect  hail  storm 
of  bullets,  nailed  it  to  the  broken  stafi".     At  night  the  fleet  quietly 
left  the  harltor  with  the  fort  unsubdued.    Jasper  was  made  the  hero  of 
the  occasion,  the  delighted  citizens  of  Charleston  uniting  to  do  him 
honor.     The  ladies  presented  him  with  a  beautiful  flag,  which  he 
pledged  himself  to  defend  with  his  life,  and  true  to  his  word  he  was 
found  later  in  the  war  dead  upon  the  field  of  battle,  clinging  to  his 
and  his  country's  flag.     Such  is  the  hero  which  this  county  honors. 
The  countyrseat  is  evidently  indebted  to  the  same  source  for  its 
name.     Sergeant  Newton  was  a  compatriot  of  Jasper,  and  the  two 
were  often  united  in  deeds  of  daring.     One  of  these  occasions  is  rep- 
resented as  follows: 

"Like  many  families  of  that  time,  Jasper's  was  divided  on  the 
great  (piestion.  His  older  brother  took  the  side  of  the  English,  and 
served  in  their  army.  Out  of  aflcftion  to  his  l)r()th('r,  and  a  wish  to 
examine  into  the  strength  and  condition  of  the  enemy,  he  resolved, 
with  another  patriot  soldiei-,  Sergeant  Newton,  to  pay  the  British  a 
visit.  His  brother's  position  pnabled  him  to  receive  his  two  friends 
without  any  suspicion  of  their  being  spies,  and  they  were  entertained 
for  two  or  three  days  with  great  hospitality.  While  they  were  thus 
engaged,  a  small  party  of  Americans  were  brought  in  prisoners,  and. 
as  they  had  deserted  from  the  British,  and  enlisted  in  the  American 
ranks,  their  doom  would  have  been  dcitli.  This,  the  brother  of  Jas- 
per assured  him  w:is  to  be  their  fate.     ^Vitll  them  were  the  wife  and 


HISTORY    OF   JASl'EK    COLXTV.  371 

child  ot'oiic  of  the  prisoners.  Ilor  distress  ut  her  husband's  approaeh- 
ini,--  fate  touehed  the  heart  of  Jasi)er.  Confi  linij  his  purpose  to  his 
frii-n  1  Newton,  they  bide  adieu  to  Jasper's  brother,  and  took  their 
leave.  They  had  no  sooner  iifot  out  of  sight  of  the  eanip,  than  they 
made  a  detour,  and  stretched  acros-;  the  coinitrv  so  as  to  elude  all 
suspicion  should  they  meet  with  any  British  soldiers.  It  was  the 
custom  of  the  English  then  to  send  all  the  prisoners  taken  in  that 
quarter  to  Savannah  for  trial.  At  a  little  spring,  two  miles  from 
Savannah,  Jasper  and  Newton  secretel  themselves,  awaiting  the  arri- 
val of  the  British  escort  an  1  their  prisoners.  It  had  occurred  to  Jas- 
per that,  as  they  must  pass  this  spot,  it  was  very  probable  they  might 
rest  here  for  a  short  time  to  refresh  themselves,  and  the  woody  nature 
of  the  spot  would  favor  a  rescue.  After  some  hours'  anxious  sus- 
pense, they  saw  the  escort,  with  their  prisonei-s,  approach.  The 
guard  was  ten  in  number,  and  armed.  The  (•or[)oral.  with  four  men, 
conducted  their  captives  to  the  water,  and  told  them  to  rest  them- 
selves for  an  hour,  at  the  same  time  giving  them  provisions.  The 
guards  then  stacke.l  their  arms  and  seated  themselves.  The  prison- 
ers threw  themselves  upon  the  earth  in  hopeless  despair.  Near  to 
the  wretched  man  sat  his  wife  and  child.  Two  of  the  i>uards  alone 
kept  their  arms  as  sentries.  As  the  rest  of  the  men  were  fillincr  their 
■canteens  with  water,  Jasper  and  Newton  came  stealthily  from  their 
aml)ush,  seized  two  of  the  muskets  that  were  stacked,  shot  the  two 
sentries,  and,  rushing  upon  the  others,  stunned  them  with  the  butt 
of  their  weapons.  Deprived  of  their  weapons,  the  others  abandoned 
the  contlict  and  tied." 

It  was  such  deeds  as  those  that  made  each  man  in  Marion's  band 
a  hero,  and  the  names  of  Sergeants  Jasper  and  Newton  ma}'  be 
given  a  perpetual  place  in  history  as  the  names  of  the  town  and  county 
that  form  the  subject  of  these  pages. 

TOrOGHAl'lIY. 

The  county  of  Jasper,  thus  organize  1,  lies  in  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  what  is  arbitrarilv  called  southern  Illinois,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  east  by  Crawford,  on  the  north  by  Cumberland,  on  the  west  by 
Effingham  and  Clay,  and  on  the  south  by  Clay  and  Richlan  1  coun- 
ties. It  is  almost  s(|uare  in  shape,  being  twenty-two  miles  long  from 
north  to  south,  and  twenty-one  and  three-fourths  from  east  to  w&st, 
and  contains  al)out  481  square  miles.  Aimut  one-third  of  the  county 
was  originally  timlK'red  land,  and  the  remain;ler  prairie,  the  latter 
occupying  the  broad  areas  of  upland  between   the  valleys  of  the 


372  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

streiinis,  and  elevated  from  sixty  to  eighty  feet  above  the  water 
courses.  From  Robinson  to  Liberty,  the  country  is  rather  low  and 
comi)aratively  level,  seldom  risin"-  more  than  twenty  or  thirty  feet 
above  the  beds  of  the  small  streams.  The  chang-es  wrouoht  bv  the 
habits  and  cultivation  of  the  whites  have  somewhat  altered  the  pro- 
portion of  timbered  land,  so  that  timb3r  land  and  prairie  are  about 
equal  in  extent,  a  strip  of  each  in  var3dng  widths  alternating  through 
the  county.  The  general  trend  of  the  water  courses  is  southward. 
The  Embarrass,  the  French  pronunciation  having  degenerated  into 
the  local  name  of  Anibrau,  traverses  the  whole  extent  of  the  county 
from  northwest  to  southeast.  This  stream  rises  three  or  four  miles 
jiortheast  of  Tolono,  in  Champaign  Coimty,  and  enters  Jasper  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the  center  of  the  northern  line.  From 
this  point,  it  bears  a  little  east,  until  it  reaches  Newton,  where  with 
a  short  turn  nearly  due  east,  it  again  follows  its  general  course  and 
passes  into  Richland  County,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  county.  The  Embarrass  drains  nearly  the 
whole  surface  of  the  county,  except  the  southwest  corner,  Avliich  is 
drained  by  Muddy  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Little  Wabash.  The 
vallc}'  through  which  this  river  courses  is  a  low,  flat  bottom,  from 
three  to  five  miles  in  width,  with  some  swampy  areas,  though  gener- 
ally dry  enough  to  admit  of  cultivation,  but  subject  to  overflow  from 
the  high  water  of  the  river.  Other  streams  of  some  importance  are: 
East  Fork,  heading  in  the  southw^est  corner  of  Edgar  County,  enter- 
ing Jasper  near  the  northeast  corner,  extending  south  parallel  with 
the  east  line  of  the  county,  varying  only  a  mile  or  two  from  the  east 
count}^  line  at  any  point,  and  emptying  into  the  Embarrass  River  in 
Section  32,  in  Saint  Marie  ToAvnship  ;  Crooked  Creek,  taking  its 
source  in  Cumberland  and  Clark  counties,  near  the  northern  line  of 
.Jasper,  meandering  southward  near  the  line  of  Wade  and  Willow 
Hill  townships,  until  it  reaches  a  point  nearly  due  east  of  Newton, 
where,  bearing  east,  it  finds  the  Embarrass  River,  in  Section  2  of 
Willow  Hill  Township  ;  Liw's  Creek,  which  heads  in  the  [)rairie, 
about  five  miles  northwest  of  Newton,  and  runs  southward  and  a 
little  west,  and  runs  into  Clay  County,  where  it  joins  the  iSIuddy 
Creek;  Sandy  Creek,  a  mile  or  two  west  of  Law's,  follows  a  i)arallel 
course  with  the  last  named,  and  finds  the  same  destination:  and  Big 
Muddy,  which  heads  in  the  edge  of  Etfingham  County,  near  the 
northwest  corner  of  Jasper,  and  follows  along  the  west  line  of  the 
county,  until  it  i)asses  into  Clay  County  and  finds  an  outlet  into  the 
Little  Wabash.     Small   prairie  runs  are  noted  on  the  map  of  the 


HISTORY    OF   .lASPEIJ    COrXTY.  873 

county,  such  as  the  Wot  Weather,  a  name  that  indicates  its  orioin, 
in  Small  wood  Township;  Fox  Crook,  which  gave  rise  to  the  name  of 
the  township  in  which  it  is  found;  Grove  Creek,  Turkey,  Slate  and 
Mint  crooks,  are  also  named,  but  arc  of  no  siiiiiifir-ance,  save  the  lat- 
ter, in  the  origin  of  its  name,  which  it  acquired  from  the  haunts  of 
early  countorfoiters  along  its  hanks. 

GE()L<)(;V.* 

Hock  exposures  are  but  rarely  to  be  mot  with  in  the  county, 
owini>-,  in  |)art,  to  the  soft  and  violding  character  of  the  sandstones 
and  shales  that  form  the  bed  rock  over  the  greater  portion  of  the 
county,  and  in  part  to  the  wide  valleys  in  which  the  streams  have 
their  com'ses,  seldom  impinging  upon  the  blutls  sufficiently  to  expose 
the  stratified  rocks.  The  su})erficial  deposits  of  this  county  consist 
mostly  of  brown,  gmvoUy  clays,  and  a  bluish-gray  hard-pan,  the 
whole  aofo-reofatinof  from  twentv  to  forty  feet  in  thickness.  These 
beds  thicken  to  the  westward,  and  are  considerably  heavier  in  the 
western  part  of  the  county  than  in  the  eastern.  Small  boulders  of 
metamorphic  rock  are  frecjuontly  mot  with  in  the  crook  bods  or  on 
the  hill-sides,  weathered  out  of  these  deposits,  associated  with  those 
derived  from  the  sandstones  and  limestones  of  the  coal  measures. 
From  the  limited  exposures,  and  the  widely  separated  i)oints  where 
the  bed  rock  can  be  seen  in  this  county,  it  has  been  found  impossible 
to  construct  a  general  section  of  the  strata,  but  enough  can  be  seen 
to  indicate  their  general  character,  and  to  determine  very  nearly 
their  relative  position  in  the  coal  measures. 

The  lowest  be.ls  in  the  county  are  probal)ly  the  shales  and  shaly 
sandstones  outcropping  on  the  lower  courses  of  the  North  Fork  and 
on  the  Embarrass,  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Marie,  which  probably 
belong  to  the  heavy  shale  deposit  passed  in  the  boring  at  Greenup, 
and  iKdonsr  between  coals  Nos.  14  and  1(5  of  the  gonenil  section. 
The  highest  outcrops  will  ho  found  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
county,  Avhero  the  Fusulina  limestone  that  outcrops  at  Churchill's 
place,  near  the  county  lino  in  Cumberland  County,  may  be  soon. 

At  the  crossing  of  North  Fork,  on  the  old  Palestine  and  Van- 
dalia  road,  a  1)1  uo,  sandy  shale  has  been  penetrated  by  a  shaft  to  the 
depth  of  about  thirty  feet,  in  search  of  coal,  but  without  success. 
The  upi)or  [lart  of  this  shale  bed  outcrops  in  the  bank  of  the  stream 
at  an  old  mill  just  below  the  bridge.  About  a  mile  further  down  the 
crock,  ;i  bod  of  brown,  calcMroous  sandstone  is  found  tVom   eighteen 

♦Compiled  from  State  Keport. 


374  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

to  twenty  inclicr?  thick.  In  tlic  bank  of  the  Emlxirniss,  at  Saint 
Marie,  a  tliin  l)('dcled  micaceous  sandstone  is  quarried  at  low  water, 
but  it  splits  into  thin  layers  on  exposure,  and  is  of  little  value  as  a 
buildinof  stone.  .V  well  was  sunk  here  at  the  steam-mill,  to  the 
<le])tli  of  ninety  feet,  throuiih  sandy  shales  and  sandstones,  without 
findino-  either  coal  or  limestone. 

Newton,  the  county-seat,  is  located  on  the  bluft*  of  the  Embar- 
rass, and  the  outcroppino"  beds  that  form  the  lower  portion  of  the 
bluff  consists  of  twenty-five  to  thirty  feet  of  soft  micaceous  shales 
and  sandstones,  extendino:  below  the  river  bed.  About  two  miles 
southeast  of  town,  on  Brush  Creek,  a  sandstone  is  found  that  fur- 
nishes most  of  the  buildins:  stone  used  in  this  vicinity.  The  quarry 
rock  is  from  eight  to  ten  feet  thick,  in  layers  varyinir  from  six  to 
twelve  or  more  in  thickness.  The  stone  is  rather  soft  when  first 
quarried,  but  becomes  harder  on  exposure,  and  makes  a  very  durable 
rock  for  ordinarv  use.  Locally  it  has  a  coarsely,  concretionary  struct- 
ure,  the  concretions  b.'ino-  harder  than  the  surroundinof  rock,  a  char- 
acter  frecjuently  observed  in  the  heayy  bedded  sandstones  of  the  coal 
measures.  Below  the  sandstone  there  is  a  variable  thickness  of 
shale  that  becomes  bituminous  toward  the  bottom,  and  forms  the  roof 
of  a  coal  seam  that  has  b?en  opened,  and  Avorked  to  some  extent  at 
this  locality.  Tiie  seam  was  covered  up  by  the  falling  in  of  the  roof 
at  the  time  of  the  State  survey,  so  that  neither  the  (juality  of  the 
coal,  nor  its  exact  thickness  could  b?  ascertained,  l)nt  it  is  said  to  be 
from  two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  thick,  and  has  a  shale  parting  like 
the  seam  at  tlio  old  Eaton  Mines  northwest  of  Robinson.  Tiiis  is 
probably  coal  Xo.  14  or  L")  of  the  general  section.  This  coal  prob- 
ably underlays  the  town  of  Xewton,  at  a  depth  of  eight  to  ten  feet 
below  the  bed  of  the  Embirrass  River,  and  niiaht  be  easily  mined 
anywhere  along  the  bluff,  by  drivino-  an  inclined  tunnel  into  the 
base  of  the  hill  above  hii>"h  water  mark,  down  to  the  level  of  the 
coal. 

Three  miles  east  of  Newton,  on  the  road  to  New  L'lin'ty,  the 
same  sandstone  is  met  with  on  the  east  side  of  the  E'ubari-ass  Valley, 
outcropping  in  the  base  of  tlr^  low  hills  bordering  the  valley,  and 
continuing  in  occasional  outcrops  to  the  coal  bank,  one  mile  Avest  of 
New  Liberty,  'fhis  coal  is  probi1)ly  the  same  as  that  on  Brinh  Creek, 
a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  Xewton.  The  seam  is  divided  by  a 
bituminous  shale,  varying  from  six  to  eighteen  in-hes  in  thickness, 
and  only  the  lower  division  of  tiie  seam  is  minel  here,  the  upper 
part  being  too  soft  and  shaly  to  bo  of  much  value.     A  section  of 


HISTOKV    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  375 

the  beds  above  this  coal,  as  seen  between  Xewton  and  this  i)oint, 

would  be  as  follows: 

Feet.       Inches. 
Micaceous  sandstone,    thin  bedded  at   the    top  and   more 

massive    below 20  to  30 

Sandy  shale,  with  local  layers  of  thin  sandstone 5  to  10 

Bituminous  shale : 1  to    3 

Coal,  rat  her  soft  and  poor Ito    1        G 

Shale,    parting 4  to    I        6 

Coal,  good 1        6 

No  fossils  wore  found  in  the  shale  ovorlayinof  this  coal  on  Brush 
Creek,  but  west  of  New  Lil)erty  imperfect  examples  of  one  or  two 
carbonarius  plants  were  found. 

South  of  Xewton,  a  prairie  ridge  extends  for  several  miles  in  a 
southerly  direction,  along  which  sandstone  is  said  to  be  found,  and 
this  ridge  probably  marks  the  trend  of  the  sandstone  formatioil  in 
this  county.  On  Limestone  Creek,  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  there  is  an  outcrop  of  light-gray  limestone,  that  is  quarried 
for  building  stone  and  for  the  manufactiu'e  of  Hme.  In  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  comity,  on  Island  Creek,  an  outcrop  of  heavy 
bedded  sandstone  and  flagstone  commences  on  Section  IG,  Township 
8,  Rano-e  8,  and  may  be  traced  northward  to  the  county  line.  The 
sandstone  is  of  brownish  color  and  makes  a  fair  building  stone.  On 
Mint  Creek,  Section  1,  ToAvnship  7,  Kange  8,  the  following  section 

was  found: 

Feet.       Inches. 
Silicious  shale 30 

Gray  pyritiferous  shale,  passing  into  limestone 2 

Jet  black  bituminous  shale,  with  fish  scales  and  spines 6 

Coal,  breaking  into  small  cakes 6 

Fireclay 3 

Gray  silicious  shale  and  flagstone 3  8 

This  thin  coal  was  sometimes  found  split  by  hard  bituminous 
shale,  leavino-  only  about  an  inch  of  coal  in  each  diyision. 

The  section  of  the  Embarrass  River,  southwest  quarter  of  Section 
.'■)1,  Township  7,  Range  10,  is  as  follows: 

Feet.        Inches. 

1.  Covered  slope 10 

2.  Bluish-brown  argillaceous  shale 10 

3.  Brown  and  black  bituminous  shale 3 

4.  Fire  clay 3 

5.  Gray  fossiliferous  limestone 10 

6.  Blue  argillaceous  shale. 4 

7.  Brownish-black  impure  limestone 3 

8.  Blue  shale 2 

9.  Bluish  shaly  sandstones 10 


37H  HISTOHV    OF   .TA^iPEK   COINTY. 

Two  inilct;  north  of  Saint  Marie,  on  the  west  half  of  Section 
7,  Township  (),  Ring-e  11,  a  shaft  was  sunk  twenty  feet  to  the  river  level 
and  some  fragments  of  impure  limestone  were  thrown  out.  About 
a  hundred  yards  up  the  river  this  limestone  is  just  at  the  water's 
edffe.  It  is  eight  or  ten  inches  thick,  and  is  probably  the  equivalent 
of  the  linK^stone  near  Newton. 

The  second  bluff  or  terrace  is  about  forty  feet  above  low  water. 
About  thirty  feet  above  low  water,  in  the  face  of  the  bluff,  there  are 
remains  of  an  old  furnace.  It  is  about  three  feet  in  diameter,  of  a 
circular  form  and  walled  with  rock.  Around  it  are  pieces  of  burnt 
limestone,  charcoal  and  cinders.  On  the  top  of  the  bluff  there  are 
a  number  of  Indian  mounds,  arranged  in  the  form  of  an  oblong 
square,  inclosing  a  court.  The  peculiar  arrangement  of  the  mounds, 
and  the  presence  of  mica  in  the  sandstoue,  aud  also  in  the  drift  bowl- 
ders found  here,  led  to  the  b?lief  that  silver  existed  in  the  rocks  and 
could  be  extracted  from  them,  and  the  existeuce  of  the  mounds  and 
the  furnace  led  to  the  sinking  of  the  shaft  in  pursuit  of  the  same 
preciovis  metal. 

On  Crooked  Creek,  a  half  mile  west  of  Brockville,  the  follow- 
ing section  was  found: 

Feet.        Inches. 

Buff-colored  limestone  without  fossils - 4 

Blue  argillaceous  shale - 3 

Rotten  limestone  with  fossils ---  6 

Black  bituminous  shale 4 

Blue  argillaceous  shale 2 

One  mile  aud  a  half  southwest  of  Harrisburg,  on  Lick  Creek, 

the  following  beds  were  found: 

Feet.        Inches. 

Bluish  argillaceous  shale 10 

Black  bituminous  shale 4 

Impure  limestone  with  fragmentary  fossils 6 

Bluish  argillaceous  shale 3 

The  water  of  the  creek  is  slightly  saline,  and  some  prospecting 

for  brine  has  been  done  in  this  vicinit3^ 

All  these  outcrops  belong  to  the  Upper  Coal  Measures,  and  range 

about  the   horizon    of  coals  No.  14  and   15  of  the  general  section. 

From  the  general  trend  of  the  stratii  it  may  be  inferred  that  the 

lowest  beds  that  outcrop  in  the  county  are  those  along  its  eastern 

border,  and  the  highest,  those  upon  the  western. 

MATERIAL   RESOURCES- 

A  limited  snpply  of  coal  may  be  obtained  from  the  beds  out- 
cropping near  Newton  and  New  Liberty,  but  neither  the  average 


HISTORY    OF   .lASI'KR    COUNTi'.  377 

thickness  of  the  seams,  nor  the  quality  of  coal  they  niford,  would 
justify  an  attempt  to  work  them  save  in  n  limited  way.  The  main 
coals  are  here  from  tive  to  six  hundred  feet,  or  more,  below  the  sur- 
face, and  to  reach  the  bottom  of  the  coal  measures,  would  require  a 
shaft  more  than  a  thousand  feet  in  depth.  It  will  probably  be  many 
years  before  the  demand  for  coal  in  this  county  will  be  such  as  to 
warraut  the  openinir  of  mines  at  this  depth. 

Building  .stone,  of  good  quality,  is  not  abundant;  the  main  sup- 
ply beiug  from  the  sandstone  overlaying  the  coal  at  Newton  and  in 
this  AHcinity.  At  some  points  this  bed  affords  a  brown  sandstone  of 
fair  quality;  and  at  others  it  passes  into  silicious  shales  or  shaly 
sandstones  too  soft  and  thin  bedded  to  be  used  for  building  purposes. 
On  Limestone  Creek,  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  tlie  county, 
there  is  a  bed  of  compact,  gray  limestone,  in  layers  of  a  foot  to  eio-ht- 
een  inches  in  thickness,  that  is  quarried  for  foundation  walls,  etc., 
for  the  supply  of  the  adjacent  region.  The  only  limestone  found  in 
the  county,  that  seemed  to  be  at  all  adapted  for  use  in  the  lime  kiln, 
Avas  that  on  Limestone  Creek,  in  the  southw^est  corner  of  the  county, 
and  a  fair  quality  of  lime  may  be  made  there  for  the  supply  of  such 
portions  of  the  adjacent  region  as  are  remote  from  railroad  transpor- 
tation. 

Sand  and  clay  are  abundant,  and  good  brick  and  tile  may  be 
made  at  almost  any  point  on  the  uplands,  where  they  may  be  required. 
Sand  for  mortar  and  cement,  occurs  at  many  places  along  the  blufis 
of  the  Embarrass,  and  may  be  found  in  beds  of  most  of  the  small 
streams,  and  in  nearly  every  portion  of  the  county. 

The  chief  resource,  however,  of  the  county  is  its  soil.  The  bot- 
tom lands  of  the  Embarrass  have  a  rich  alluvial  soil,  and  when  cleared 
and  brought  under  cultivation,  produce  large  crops  of  coni,  to 
which  they  seem  best  adapted.  The  soil  of  the  prairie  reo-ion  is  a 
chocolate-colored,  clay  loam,  similar  to  that  of  the  adjoining  coun- 
ties, and  produces  fair  crops  of  corn,  wheat,  oats  and  grass.  On  the 
timbered  uplands,  the  soil  is  somewhat  variable.  When  the  surface 
is  broken  the  soil  is  thin^  but  on  the  more  level  portions,  where  the 
growth  is  composed. in  part  of  black  walnut,  sugar  tree,  hackberry, 
etc.,  the  soil  is  veiy  productive  and  yields  large  crops  of  all  the 
cereals  grown  in  this  latitude.  The  varieties  of  timber  found  here 
are  the  common  species  of  oak  and  hickory,  black  and  white  walnut, 
white  and  sugar  maple,  slippery  and  red  elm,  honey  locust,  hack- 
ben- v,  ash,  etc. 


378  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTV. 

SAVA3IP  LANDS. 

Orifinallv,  a  lar2"e  part  of  tlio  territory  of  this  count v  came 
niuler  tlii^  classitiratioii.  By  a  Sfeiieral  act,  dated  Scptomljer  26,  18')0, 
conirross  coded  to  the  several  States  of  the  Union,  all  the  wet  and 
ovorilowed  lands  within  their  borders,  not  otherwise  disposed  of,  for 
drainag-e  purposes.  The  legislature  of  this  State  accepted  and  rati- 
fied this  act  of  congress,  by  complying  with  tlie  special  requirements 
and  subsequently,  in  furtherance  of  the  objects  as  aforesaid,  granted 
to  the  counties  the  lands  lying  within  their  boundaries.  Between 
the  years  1850  and  18.")(),  much  of  this  land  was  entered  of  the  general 
o-overnment,  throusfh  the  United  States  Land  Office  at  Palestine,  at 
$1.25  per  acre,  with  ''swamp  land  scrip/'  ''land  warrants,"  and  cash, 
the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  issuing  patents  therefor. 
Under  the  act  of  congress,  where  land  was  selected  and  paid  for 
with  "scrip"  or  "warrants,"  the  State  was  entitled  to  receive  an 
equal  quantity  of  United  States  land,  subject,  however,  to  the 
approval  of  the  department  of  the  interior.  The  secretary  of  the 
interior  in  construins:  this  act  of  congress  has  decided  that  the  land 
intended  to  be  o-iven  in  lieu  of  which  was  entered  with  "  scrip" 
or  "  warrants,"  must  be  United  States  land,  unoccupied,  and  lying 
within  the  State  claiming  the  same,  and  cannot  be  located  elsewhere. 
The  United  States  lands  in  Illinois  have  long  since  been  entered, 
hence  the  county  will  only  receive  indemnity  for  such  swamp  land 
as  has  been  entered  since  1850  with  casli. 

The  county  has  made  several  etforts  to  se<nire  its  rights  under 
this  provision,  and  of  late  has  entered  into  contract  with  an  attor- 
ney to  collect  the  indemnity  due  from  the  general  government 
Some  10,000  acres  have  been  claimed  and  the  requisite  proof  filed. 
The  county  has  sold  a  considerable  amount  of  these  lands  originally 
selected,  at  such  prices  as  they  would  bring,  much  of  which  has 
been  reclaimed  and  is  now  under  cultivation. 

AGRICITLTURE. 

Jasper  County  is  strictly  an  agricultural  county,  though  pos- 
sessed of  good  water-power  and  timber,  and  situated  within  the 
region  of  the  coal  measures,  manufacturing  interests,  beyond  such 
mills  as  the  local  necessity  demanded,  have  found  scanty  encourage- 
ment. It  is  probably  too  early  to  Judge  of  the  future  of  manufac- 
turing interests  here,  as  the  lack  of  railroad  tacilities.  before  187t), 
prevented  any  successful  attempts  at  manufacturing.  Since  the  build- 
ing of  the  Mattoon  &  Grayville   Railroad,  and  tlie  construction  of 


HISTOKV    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  37i> 

Other  lines,  several  rigorous  manufacturing  cstahlishnKMits  have 
found  place  here,  and  with  the  construction  of  otlier  roads  whicli  are 
promised  at  this  date,  the  character  of  Jasper  County's  inchistries 
may  be  entirely  revolutionized  in  the  coming  decades. 

The  prc\ailing  system  of  agriculture  practiced  here  may  prop- 
erly be  termed  mixed  husbandry.     Specialties  Hud  little  favor  with 
the  farmers.     The  practice  is  to  cultivate  the  various  kinds  of  grain 
and  grasses,  and  to  raise,   keep  and  fatten  stock;  the  latt<-r  business 
rapidly  growing  in  favor  with  a  majority  of  the  wealthier  farmers. 
Though  organized  in  1834,  the  development  of  the  county  was  slow, 
and  until  1860  the  larger  part  of  the  county  was  not  entirely  in  the 
hands  of  actual  settlers.    The  farmer,  therefore,  has  not  yet  felt  able 
to  indulge  in  any  scientific  theories  of  cultivation.     So  far,  the  main 
object  has  been  to  gain  a  subsistence  and  make  sufficient  returns  to 
pay  for  the  land,  and  but  little  more  than  this  has  been  accomplished. 
Of  late,  there  is  more  improvement  noted,  and,  while  the  farmino- 
connnunity  may  be  said  to  be  in  limited  financial  circumstfinces,  the 
character  of  later  improvements  are  of  the  best  kind.     Houses  and 
barns  of  improved  architecture  and  the  higher  order  of  comfort  and 
ornament,  are  going  up  everywhere,  and  a  new  era  of  prosperity  is 
marked.     The  need  of  studying  the  principles  of  such  branches  of 
learning  as  relate  to   agriculture,  will  be  felt,  and   a   consequent 
improvement  in  the  system  of  fanning  will  naturally  follow. 

>Vheat  has  been  considered  a  reasonably  sure  and  remunerative 
crop,  and  is  cultivated  to  a  large  extent. '  Some  failures  in  this 
crop,  however,  have  admonished  the  farmers  that  this  is  not  to  be 
depended  upon  solely,  and  other  grains  are  dividing  the  attention  of 
the  farming  community.  Oats  and  corn  are  prominent  products 
and  the  failure  of  any  one  crop  is  not  counted  a  fatal  calamity.  In' 
1881,  a  drouth  occurred,  no  rain  falling  between  the  latter  partof  June 
and  the  last  of  August,  a  period  of  sixty-eight  days.  The  wheat  and 
corn  crops  were  almost  entirely  destroyed,  and  business  was  almost 
at  a  stand-still.  Such  experiences  are,  however,  very  rare,  the  gen- 
eral complaint  being  too  much  rain.  Most  of  the  land  in  the  count}- 
«s  low,  and  very  much  in  need  of  drainage.  This  subject  is  now 
attractmg  considerable  attention,  and  two  extensive  tile  ftu^tories 
luive  this  year  been  put  in  operation,  with  the  prospect  of  ample 
patronage. 

^  Fruit  culture  may  safely  be  said  to  be  in  its  inflmcy  in  Jsisper 
County.  The  first  settlers,  deprixed  for  a  time  of  its  use,  and  real- 
izmg  the  great  demand  in  every  family  for  this  important  arli<h^  of 


380  HISTORY   OF  JASPER   COUNTY. 

food,  early  set  about  planting  oicliards.  But  little  care  was  exer- 
cised, in  a  majority  of  oases,  in  the  selection  of  varieties,  or  in  the 
care  of  orchards  after  once  well  set,  and,  taking  into  consideration 
the  value  of  good  fruit  as  a  substantial  olemont  of  food, -as  a  valuable 
agent  in  preserving  and  promoting  health,  and  as  a  luxury  which  all 
classes  may  enjoy,  this  subject  has  not  received  the  attention  which 
its  importance  merits  at  the  hands  of  the  agriculturist.  The  orchard 
culture  of  apples  has  only  of  late  years  begun  to  command  the  seri- 
ous attention  of  farmers.  The  product  is  barely  enough  to  supply 
home  demands,  but  each  year  marks  an  increase  in  the  acreage  devoted 
to  this  fruit.  Peaches  rank  next  to  ajiples  in  the  number  of  acres 
devoted  to  their  culture.  The  region  is  ordinarily  favorable  to  their 
culture,  and  a  Cfood  yield  is  ireuerallv  had  here.  Pears,  plums  and 
cherries  are  found  occasionally  about  the  house  enclosure,  but  are 
not  cultivated  to  any  great  extent.  There  are  one  or  two  pear 
orchards  recently  set  out.  Small  fruits  are  not  yet  grown  to  any 
great  extent,  save  for  private  use.  There  is  a  growing  market  for 
all  these  products,  right  at  home,  and  there  will  be  an  improvement 
in  this  direction  as  soon  as  this  demand  is  recognized.  There  are  no 
nurseries  in  the  county,  and  dependence  is  had  chiefly  upon  traveling 
agents,  who  find  this  a  profitable  field. 

In  the  matter  of  stock,  the  interest  of  farmers  is  beino-  gener- 
ally  attracted  toward  the  profit  of  stock-raising.  Grass  never  fails, 
save  in  such  an  exceptional  j'^ear  as  1881.  The  moist  nature  of  the 
ground  renders  the  crop  a  sure  and  luxuriant  growth.  For  the  cul- 
tivation of  grain,  it  requires  a  large  expenditure  of  time  and  labor, 
and  the  (piestion  is  being  seriously  discussed  whether  a  larger  pro- 
portion of  stock-raising  would  not  yield  greater  returns.  Cattle  and 
hogs  are  already  an  important  source  of  iiTcome  to  the  farmers,  and 
a  considerable  number  are  improving  the  grade  of  their  stock  by 
the  use  of  thorough-bred  animals.  Short-horns,  Jersey  and  Devon 
cattle  arc  made  a  specialty  by  some  half  a  dozen  stockmen  in  the 
county,  and  their  influence  "on  the  grade  of  stock  to  be  found  here  is 
quitch  marked.  In  hogs,  the  Poland-China  and  Berkshire  are  repre- 
sented by  several  stock-breeders.  Sheep,  though  not  so  generally 
kept  by  farmers  as  the  other  mentioned  stock,  are  still  found  in  con- 
siderable aggregate  numbers,  though  most  of  the  flocks  are  small. 
Among  the  breeders,  the  Cotswold  is  the  favorite,  though  the  South- 
down and  Merino  breeds  are  represented.  On  the  subject  of  horsa^, 
there  is  considerable  interest  manifested.  Oxen  have  been  super- 
seded here  for  some  years,  but  the  average  farm-horse  has  not  boon 


HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY.  381 

greatly  inii)rove(l  ovor  the  oriiriiiiil  stock.  Just  now,  this  <  hiss  of 
farm  property  has  felt  the  impulse  manifested  in  every  county  inter- 
est, and  a  number  of  tine  liorses  are  in  use  for  brecdiufif  pur[)ose8. 
These  are  principally  of  the  Norman  and  Clydesdale  blood.  Some 
interest  is  manifested  in  roadsters  and  speed  animals,  but  the  finan- 
cial status  of  the  farmers,  the  demands  of  the  farm,  and  the  condition 
of  the  roads,  inclines  the  general  favor  towards  such  a  cross  with  the 
heavy  draft  horses  as  will  produce  a  substantial  animal  for  all  pur- 
poses. Mules  are  bred  and  used  to  a  large  extent,  and  they  seem  to 
be  growing  into  greater  tavor  rapidly.  Besides  the  argument  used 
in  favor  of  their  economical  keeping  and  hardy  characteristics,  they 
are  found  to  be  more  salable  at  good  prices  than  horses.  Horses  are 
found  to  be  subject,  also,  to  some  fatal  disorder  which  causes  serious 
losses.  This  subject  has  not  been  fully  investigated,  but  the  sudden 
unexplained  death  of  a  good  horse  is  frequently  reported.  It  is 
believed  by  many  that  the  latitude  is  not  favorable,  and  such  losses 
are  generally  supplied  by  mules.  Another  reason  for  the  increased 
attention  to  stock-raising  is  the  fact  that  the  average  farm  is  quite 
large,  perhaps  200  acres.  This,  it  is  found,  is  too  large  for  success- 
ful cultivation  in  grains,  and  some  stock  is  found  necessary  to  utilize 
all  the  acreage.  Then  the  question  arises,  whether  it  is  not  more 
profitable  to  feed  the  grain  grown,  and  thus  retain  the  offal  to  enrich 
the  soil.  The  question  is- more  and  more  being  decided  in  the  affirm- 
ative, and  tliere  are  those  who  confidently  predict  that  the  future 
will  find  this  a  stock-growing  rather  than  a  grain-producing  county. 
Dairying  has  not  been  attempted  here,  though  there  is  some  discus- 
sion as  to  the  subject.  With  increased  shipping  facilities  and  a  rea- 
8onal)ly  close  market,  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  it  should  not 
be  as  profitiible  a  source  of  revenue  here  as  elsewhere  in  the  State. 

FAIR    ASSOCIATIONS. 

An  effort  to  organize  a  Fair  association  was  made  about  1855. 
Improvement  in  stock  had  reached  an  advanced  stage,  and  some  of 
the  more  prominent  stockmen  and  others,  among  whom  were  John 
Brooks,  James  Wagle,  A.  G.  Colwell,  Sr.,  and  T.  J.  Martin,  formed 
an  association.  Only  two  or  three  exhibitions  were  held,  the  O'Kean 
grounds  bsing  leased  and  enclosed  for  the  purpose.  After  this,  the 
interest  faileil  and  nothing  more  was  done  in  the  way  of  fairs  until 
1870.  In  this  year,  the  County  Agricultural  Board  formed  an  Asso- 
ciation and  held  annual  exhibitions  until  1880.  The  plan  of  oro-an- 
ization  was  not  such  as  to  give  the  highest  financial  results.     The 


3ii2  HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY. 

State  report  Tor  1877,  the  only  one  to  be  obtained,  speak.^  of  the 
exhibition  of  that  year  as  in  every  way  a  success.  "  Our  premiums 
were  larire  and  hotly  contested  for  in  every  department.  The  show 
of  stock  in  the  dilfercnt  departments  was  larii-er  and  finer  than  ever 
before,  while  Floral  Hall  was  filled  to  overflowing  Avitli  the  choicest 
productions  of  necdlc-work,  fine  arts  and  sta})le  productions  of  the 
soil.  *  *  *  The  display  of  agricultural  implements  was  com- 
plete, and  was  within  itself  an  exhibition  which  could  be  pointed  to 
with  pride  by  the  exhibitors.  Our  system  of  financial  retin'us  in 
proportion  to  individual  tickets,  but  under  the  depressed  financial 
condition  of  affairs,  gives  better  satisfaction. 

"By  economy  in  expenditures,  we  were  enabled  to  pay  twenty- 
five  cents  on  the  dollar  awarded  in  premiums  (which  is  twenty-five 
per  cent,  more  than  the  society  has  ever  paid).  Our  current 
expenses  for  the  year  also  discharged^a  large  part  of  our  mortgaged 
indebtedness."  The  value  of  the  grounds  and  improvements  was 
put  at  $2,000.  It  was  found,  notwithstanding  the  favorable  charac- 
ter of  the  above  report,  that  the  association  could  not  make  a  finan- 
cial success,  and  on  Ai)ril  5,  1880,  the  "  Jasper  County  Agricultural 
Joint  Stock  Company  "  was  incorporated.  The  leading  men  in  this 
movement  were:  Wm.  E.  Barrett,  Jas.  C.  Ireland,  Daniel  O'Donnell 
and  Wni.  L.  Heath.  A  large  number  of  the  citizens  of  the  county 
took  stock,  which  aggregated  $3,000,  in  shares  of  $10  each.  This 
organization  has  made  a  complete  success  of  the  fairs,  and  now  own 
a  finely  improved  ground  west  of  Newton,  valued  at  s(mie  $6,000. 
In  1881,  owing  to  the  severe  drouth,  no  exhibition  was  held.  In 
1882,  the  "Twelfth  Annual  Fair  of  the  Jasper  County  Agricultural 
Board  "  was  held  under  the  auspices  of  this  company,  at  which  pre- 
miums were  offered  to  the  extent  of  some  $1,^)01),  which  were  all 
paid  in  full. 

THE  *:aiily  settlement. 

The  immigration  to  which  this  part  of  the  State  is  indebted  for 
its  early  settlement  came  principally  from  the  Southern  States  by 
way  of  Palestine.  The  "  Wabash  country  "  began  to  attract  settlers 
as  early  as  1811,  a  few  families  finding  their  way  to  the  west  side  of 
the  Wabash  Kiver,  in  the  territory  now  covered  b}^  Crawford,  Clark 
and  Edgar  counties.  The  war  with  Great  Britain  and  the  couse- 
(pient  unfriendly  disposition  of  the  Indians  retarded  the  further 
increase  of  the  st^lth'uients  until  the  close  of  the  \\ar  in  181;').  A 
number  of  fan»ilies,  however,  who  had  started  for  this  region  gath- 


HISTOUY    OF   JASPEIi   COUNTY.  38S 

ercd  about  Palostino,  wlioro  the  genenil   ffovernmcnt  stationed   a 
comi)any  of  troops  aiil  built  a  palisade  fort.     On  the  pacification  of 
the  savages,  the  cooped-up  whites  rapidly  spread  over  the  country 
contiiruous  with  the  river,  where  many  had  made  claims  and  built 
cabins  before  it  was  thought  safe  to  remove  their  families  from  the 
fort.     The  country  in  this  region  offered  every  desired  characteristic 
for  pionc^er  settlements,  and  for  some  years  absorbed  the  tide  of 
incoming  population,  so  that  the   outlying  portions   of  Crawford, 
which  are  now  Jasp:?r,  were  little  known  save  to  the  hunter  and  that 
class  of  pei-sons  who  preferred  a  ten-a  incognita.    The  result  was  that 
the  first  inhabitants  of  Jasper  County  territory  were  principally 
45quatt('rs;  men  Avho  found  it  safer  to  leave  the  more  settled  parts  of 
the  older  States  and  seek  a  refuge  where  the  arm  of  the   law  could 
not  reach.     The  "Dark  Bend,"  a  copse-like   bottom  of  the  Embar- 
ni.ss,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Jasper  County  extending  into  Craw- 
ford County,  was  the  principal  spot  occupied  by  these  characters, 
though  at  an  early  date  it  was  popularly  sui)posed  that  "  the  woods 
was  full  of  them."  In  the  nature  of  the  case,  but  little  can  be  learned  of 
these  people.  The  earliest  permanent  settlers  occasionally  came  in  con- 
tact with  them,  and,  in  one  way  or  another,  learned  something  of  their 
history.    Soon  after  the  settlement  was  formed  at  Saint  Marie  the  fam- 
ilies of  that  community  were  visited  by  half  a  dozen  or  so  of  the  ladies 
of  the   "Dark   Bend,"   whose  attire  and   general   appearance   con- 
firmed   the  colonists  in   all    the  worst   opinions    they  had  formed 
of  the  people  in  that  benighted  region.     Mr.  Joseph  Picquet  relates 
that  soon  after  his  settlement  at  Saint  Marie,  he  learned  of  a  desti- 
tute family  living  in  this  region,  and,  moved  by  his  sympathy,  three 
or  four  of  them  made  a  visit  to  the  place.     The  man  had  murdered 
his  brother  and  fled  to  this  region  to  escape  the  just  penalty   of  his 
deed.     Here  he  was  found,  surrounded  by  several  dirty,  ill-kempt 
women  and  a  dozen  or  more  squalid,  scrofulous  looking  children, 
living  in  a  long,  low  shanty,  like  so  many  hogs.     The  man  was  well 
advanced  in  years,  and  all  so  ignorant  and  degraded  as  to  exhibit  no 
distaste  for  their  surroundings,  nor  desire  for  any  change  to  some- 
thing better.     The  party  from  Saint  Marie  went  armed,  as  they  did 
not  like  the  character  of  the  neighborhood,  and  at  first  created  con- 
siderable commotion  in  the  conscience  stricken  household.    This  was 
the  end  of  the  association,  however,  and  the  family  moved  away  some- 
time later  unheeded.     Counterfeiters  and  horse-thieves  made  this 
section  their  abode  for  many  ywirs  later,  and  were  a  constant  source 
ot  amioyance  to  this  whole  region.     Counterfeit  money  was  one  of 


384  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

the  early  trials  of  the  pioneers  of  Jasper  and  vicinity.  At  home 
much  of  this  coin  passed  undetected,  but  it  often  occurred  that  when 
a  farmer  went  to  purchase  a  season's  supplies  he  wouhl  find  his 
available  funds  greatly  reduced  by  the  counterfeit  money  he  held. 
Martin  Grove  relates  an  incident,  the  memory  of  which  is  perpet- 
uated by  the  name  given  to  one  of  the  streams  of  the  county — Mint 
Creek. 

Cornelius  Tayk)r  kept  a  ferry  in  Lawrence  Count}',  and  was,  or  had 
been  considered  an  honest  man.  He  had  for  sometime  been  in  the 
habit  of  loading  his  wagon  Avith  meat  and  otlu^r  provisions,  and  start- 
ing olf  with  the  ostensible  purpose  of  going  to  Saint  Louis  to  markets 
After  a  time  Mr.  Taylor  was  suspected  of  being  a  little  crooked,  and 
after  watching  a  little,  his  neighbors  became  convinced  of  the  fact. 
It  was  observed  that  Taylor  made  some  trips  in  a  remarkably  short 
time,  and  at  other  times  he  would  be  gone  for  several  months,  and 
that  on  his  return  from  these  trips  a  quantity  of  counterfeit  silver 
and  paper  money  would  get  into  circulation  in  the  county.  These 
indications,  with  other  circumstances,  led  to  his  being  suspected  of 
com[)licity  with  some  gang  of  counterfeiters,  and  some  of  the  best 
citizens  secretly  agreed  to  watch  him.  On  his  next  trip  to  Saint 
Louis,  his  neighbors  found  that  Taylor  suspected  their  intentions, 
and  so  loaded  up  his  wao-on  after  night-fall.  In  that  wavhis  absence 
was  not  noticed  until  he  had  been  gone  several  days;  but  they  being 
determined  not  to  be  cheated  in  that  manner,  gathered  up  a  crowd 
and  followed  the  wagon  tracks  (it  will  be  rememb:n'ed  that  wagons 
were  very  scarce  in  those  days),  which  soon  left  the  Saint  Louis 
road  and  struck  out  northwest.  They  followed  the  track  then,  with 
more  zeal  than  ever,  knowing  there  must  be  something  wrong,  until 
they  came  to  a  thicket  or  thick,  woods,  almost  impenetrable,  about 
seven  miles  north,  and  a  little  west  of  where  Newton  now  stands, 
near  the  mouth  of  a  little  creek  that  empties  into  the  Embarrass 
River,  known  since  that  day  by  the  name  of  "  Mint "  Creek,  where 
they  found,  not  the  wagon,  but  a  little  cabin  under  the  brush,  in 
which  they  found  a  man  by  the  name  of  Acre  Williams,  who,  after 
being  hung  up  by  the  neck  two  or  three  times  imtil  nearly  dead, 
agreed  to  tell  all  he  knew.  IIi^  after  a  few  more  threats  from  his 
tormenters,  delivered  up  a  lot  of  mohls,  dies  and  other  mati^rials  for 
making  counterfeit  silver  and  paper  money.  The  dies,  etc.,  were 
taken  to  Lawrenceville  and  destroyed  in  the  court  house.  He 
(Williams) i'laimed  that  he  was  only  hired  by  the  counterfeiters  to 
keep  house,  hunt  and  cook  for  them.     He  said  the  ju-incipal  man  of 


HISTORY    OF  JASPER   COUNTY.  385 

the  counUM-t'eiters  was  luiiuod  Horn  back.  He  giive  other  names  also, 
but  the  principals  all  i>:ot  away;  but  the  men  o-otting  their  tools  and 
implements,  it  broke  up  their  busini'ss  at  that  place,  l)ut  we  have 
yet  the  creek  (that  took  the  name  from  the  Mint  that  had  been  run 
there)  to  remember  the  circumstance  by.  This  was  about  1822  to  1824- 
The  earliest  permanent  settler  in  Jasper  County,  probably  was 
Benjamin  Shooks.  But  little  is  known  of  him.  It  is  said  that  he 
was  among-  those  who  occui)ied  the  fort  at  Palestine,  and  came  imme- 
diately after  the  cessation  of  hostilities  to  this  region.  He  built  his 
cabin  in  181G,  on  the  North  Fork,  where  Samuel  Atkinson  now  has 
his  farm.  The  exact  location  is  not  pointed  out,  but  it  was  in  the 
"  bottoms  "  northeast  of  Yale  and  west  of  Bellaire,  and  here  he  lived 
and  died  a  few  years  later.  From  Mr.  Johnson's  historical  sketch, 
which  is   found  to   bo  unusually  accurate,  it  is  learned  that, 

"About  the  year  1820  or  1822,  a  doctor  by  the  name  of  Sultzer,  a 
son,  and  son-in-law  by  the  name  of  Jack  McCann,  settled  near  where 
the  county  line  now  divides  this  county  and  Lawrence  County,  but  they 
were  suspected  of  belonging  to  the  mint  business,  and  they  left  the 
country  very  suddenly  on  that  account/. 

"James  Jordan  (the  father  of  Andrew,  Joseph  and  William 
Jordan,  who  all  live  near  Newton)  settled  on  the  farm  now  known 
as  the  Boos  farm,  early  in  the  spring  of  182(5,  started  a  farm,  sold 
out  there,  moved  up  and  commenced  the  farm  now  owned  by  Joseph 
Cardot,  and  a  few  years  after  sold  it,  entered  the  land  and  made  the 
farm  now  owned  by  his  son  Joseph,  and  Joseph  tells  us  that  his 
father  and  mother  have  told  him,  that  when  they  raised  their  house  it 
took  all  the  men  in  the  county  to  raise  it,  and  Joseph  is  living  in 
the  same  house  yet,  with  "additions  that  he  has  built  thereto.  Mr. 
Jordan  raised  a  large  family,  and  he  and  his  wife  lived  and  died 
on  the  same  farm.  William  Price  settled  about  the  same  time,  where 
Saint  Marie  now  stands.  He  lived  there  for  several  years,  and  sold 
out  to  Mr.  Joseph  Picquet;  Price  Precinct  was  named  for  Mr. 
Price. 

"  William  L3wis  settled  on  the  Evermond  Mound,  in  Willow 
Hill  Township,  in  the  same  year  (18211),  made  some  improvements, 
and  sold  it  to  William  Evermond,  who  entered  the  land,  since  which 
time  the  mound  has  b-en  known  by  his  name. 

"Job  Catt  (the  father  ot  Uncle  John,  Charles  and  Michael  Catt, 
and  Mrs.  Fithian,  the  mother  of  our  present  State's  Attorney,  who 
•11  live  yet,  in  Willow  Hill  Township)  settled  about  two  miles 
north  of  Saint  Marie  in  1827,  and  the  family  have  lived  in  the  county 


.'^88  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTi'. 

ever  since,  ex<ept  :is  th<\v  die  at  a  ijood  old  ace.  About  the  same  time, 
L?wis  W.  Jordan  and  Benjamin  Reynolds  (with  their  families)  settled 
where  Newton  now  stands.  Mr.  Jordan  (who  was  no  connection  of 
Jam 's  eTordan)  huilt  ti  cabin  on  the  site  known  as  the  O'Kean 
property.  Lewis  W.  Jordan  left  lona-  since  with  his  family; 
he  was  the  tirst  and  only  Sherirt"  of  the  comity  for  some  time  after 
its  organization,  but  had  to  run  oH'  for  violations  of  the  law.  Of 
Mr.  Reynolds'  family,  but  two  or  three  yet  remain.  Old  Aunt 
pjlizabeth  Burford  (damrhter  of  Mr.  Reynolds)  lived  in  the  county 
until  th(^  death  of  her  last  husband,  a  few  years  asfo,  Avhen  she 
moved  to  Coles  County,  to  live  with  her  daaghtor.  Richard  Elton 
settled  on  the  East  Fork,  in  A^^illow  Hill  Township,  in  1.S37,  and 
two  years  after,  built  a  mill  on  the  creek  to  saw,  and  grind  corn  ; 
the  mill  passed  through  many  hands,  but  has  gone  down  at  last 
Mr.  Eaton  went  to  Texas  on  horse-back,  a  few  years  after,  and  never 
c-ame  back.  B}'^  this  time,  other  settlers  began  to  come  in,  notwith- 
standing there  were  at  least  three  different  tribes  of  Indians  camp- 
ing or  living  within  the  limits  of  the  county.  Uncle  John  Catt  tells 
us  of  a  little  circumstance  that  occurred  about  this  time,  that  he 
remembers  w^ell,  and  is  worth  repeating.  A  report  came  that  a  lot 
of  Indians  that  were  camping  out  on  Big  Muddy,  near  the  county 
line,  were  dancing  around  their  camp-fires  with  their  war-paint  on 
(which  meant  destruction  to  the  pale  faces).  The  settlers  called  a 
council  of  their  wise  and  brave  men,  and  appointed  Lewis  W.  Jor- 
dan, Job  Catt  and  two  or  three  others,  to  slip  out  to  the  Indian  camp 
and  see  if  the  reports  w^ere  true  ;  but  before  starting  out,  Mr.  Catt 
liad  his  family  ])urv  all  their  cooking  utensils,  kettles  and  all  heavy 
valuables,  and  be  prepared  to  flee  the  coimtry  on  their  return.  But 
only  think  of  their  sur})rise,  Avhen  they  arrived  in  sight  of  the  Indian 
camping  ground,  and  peeping  through  the  brush,  to  find  that  the 
Indians  had  pulled  up  stakes  and  "  moved  out  West."  After  this 
scare  was  over,  the  county  b3gan  to  settle  up  very  fast,  and  in  ten 
years  there  \vas  a  little  town  in  the  brush,  called  Newton,  where 
Newton  now  stands,  and  it  was  noted  far  and  near  as  boinij  a  terrible 
hard   place." 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Jasper  County  was  Michael 
(jrovc,  who  has  left  some  life-like  pictures  of  the  early  times  that 
are  well  worth  a  place  here.  He  writes  to  the  editor  of  the  Press, 
\u  187(1,  as  follows:  "  My  father  settled,  January  14,  1817,  in  the 
north  edge  of  Edwards  County,  two  miles  and  a  half  southwest  of 
where  Lawrencevill<>  now   stands.     There  were  but  three  families 


HISTORY    OF   JASPEK   COUNTY.  387 

liviiiir  wost  of  th(>  Einbarniss  River  in  that  section  of  the  country  at 
that  time.  Well,  there  we  were  in  the  woods  in  mid-winter,  with- 
out any  roads  to  any  place,  more  than  In(han  traces;  no  mills  nearer 
than  fonrtoon  miles,  and  a  horse-mill  at  that.  Our  nearest  tradin<]^ 
place  was  Vinoonnos.  but  we  did  not  visit  that  place  often,  as  there 
was  no  such  thiuu-  as  iroin"-  to  the  stores  then  to  buy  clothinof.  You 
could  sea  a  spinninfj-wheel  in  every  cabin  in  the  community,  and  a 
pair  of  cotton-cards.  As  soon  as  th?  farms  were  sufficiently  ahead, 
jou  would  see  a  flax-pack  and  a  cotton-pack.  Common  domestic 
goods  and  prints  were  worth  from  thirty-seven  and  one-half  to  forty 
cents  per  yard.  Coffee  was  seventy-tive  cents  per  pound,  and  other 
thiuofs  in  proportion.  There  was  no  such  thing  as  young  ladies 
wearing  calico  dresses  to  meeting  in  those  days;  they  went  dressed 
in  spun  cotton.  Ba3'^s  were  not  dressed  in  woolen  drawers  in  winter, 
but  were  dressed  in  buckskin — got  out  of  warm  beds  in  a  cold  morn- 
ing, and  went  to  work  in  their  cold  breeches;  and  that  is  what  made 
the  boys  of  those  days  of  such  good  constitution.  But  enough  of 
this. 

"  In  1818,  Illinois  became  a  State,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Union, 
and,  in  1820.  there  was  a  call  for  a  new  county,  and  Lawrence  was 
formed  out  of  a  part  of  E  Iwards  and  a  part  of  Crawford.  The  couiity- 
iseat  was  donated  by  the  heirs  of  Dubois,  and  called  Lawrenceville. 
Land  at  that  time  was  entered  under  the  old  two-dollar  law,  in  160 
acre  lots.  The  land-office  was  at  Vincennes.  If  a  man  paid  $80,  it 
would  hold  his  land  for  five  years;  if  no  more  was  paid,  it  then  went 
back  to  the  government,  and  if  one  payment  of  $80  was  made,  in 
four  years  from  the  tirst  payment,  a  purchaser  then  obtained  a  patent. 
There  were  some  who  entered  several  quarter-sections,  with  a  view 
to  speculation,  but  times  were  so  hard  they  were  unable  to  pay  for 
what  they  had  entered,  and  a  great  many  were  about  to  lose  all  they 
bad,  but  congress  about  this  time  passed  a  law  called  the  Relinquish- 
ing Act,  which  gave  them  a  chance  to  withdraAv  a  part  or  all  if  they 
wished,  and  get  a  certificate  for  the  amount.  Those  certificates 
would  go  in  payment  on  other  land.  Those  who  entered  only  one 
lot,  and  could  not  pay  out,  relinquished  and  sold  the  certificates  to 
others  who  were  trying  to  pay  out.  About  the  same  time,  congress 
reduced  the  price  of  public  lands  to  §1.25  per  acre,  and  subdivided 
the  quarters  into  fort}^  acre  lots.  Then  if  a  man  could  raise  $50,  he 
could  have  a  home,  but  that  was  very  hard  to  get.  After  Jackson 
vetoed  the  United  States  Bank  in  1832,  nothing  but  silver  and  gold 
would  be  received  at  the  Land-Office,  and  that  was  not  to  bj  had 


388  HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY. 

here.  A  number  one  cow,  with  a  young  calf  by  her  side,  would 
bring  but  $10;  common  cows  brought  from  $6  to  $7;  a  good  pair  of 
work  cattle  was  worth  from  $30  to  $40;  a  number  one  hoi*se  would 
sometimes  bring  $50.  I  have  seen  pork  sell  in  Lawrenceville,  after 
the  head  and  feet  were  cut  off,  at  $1.37  per  hundred  pounds,  to  pay 
a  store  bill.  Those  were  times  to  try  men's  souls.  Then,  to  make 
matters  worse,  there  were  scattered  throughout  the  country  counter- 
feiters  and  horse  thieves,  who  were  so  well  posted  that  the  civil  law 
could  not  reach  them.  If  two  or  three  good  men  came  as  evidence 
against  them,  they  would  have  ten  or  a  dozen  persons  to  prove  an 
alibi.  They  carried  this  on  to  such  an  extent  that  the  citizens  of 
Lawrenceville  held  a  meeting  and  formed  a  company  of  regulutoi-s 
of  eighty  men,  elected  their  officers,  and  then  went  with  Lynch  law, 
and  notified  them  to  leave  the  place  in  so  many  days  or  they  would 
have  to  abide  the  consequences.  Some  left,  and  some  took  the  black 
hickory  before  starting. 

"We  will  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  fii-st  settling  of  Jasper 
County.  At  that  time,  it  was  called  Crawford  County,  and  there 
was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Lewis,  who  settled  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Evermond  Mound.  The  next  settler  was  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Sulzer,  who  settled  on  what  is  now  called  Mattingly  Point,  below 
Saint  Marie.  Soon  after,  others,  some  in  Dark  Bend — the  Eulows, 
Crabtrees,  Wilkenses,  Bayards,  Jobs,  Jordans,  Garwoods,  Lambs, 
Richards,  and  the  Wades,  were  among  the  first  settlers. 

"  In  February  of  1836, 1  came  to  Jasper  County,  and  settled  six 
miles  north  of  Newton,  on  the  Embarrass  River.  At  that  time,  the 
county  was  very  thinly  settled;  I  don't  think  there  were  ten  pieces 
of  deeded  land  in  the  county.  On  the  east  side  of  the  river,  there 
were  but  three  families  living  between  Newton  and  Greenup.  We' 
had  no  roads,  and  for  our  oroceries  we  had  to  jjo  to  Lawrenceville. 
There  was  a  mill  at  Greenup,  and  another  on  North  Fork,  but  no 
road  to  either.  In  the  spring,  it  was  so  muddy  that  it  was  a  hard 
task  to  get  to  either  of  the  mills;  in  the  summer,  if  we  went,  the 
trip  had  to  be  made  in  the  night,  on  accoiuit  of  the  horse-Hies,  and 
in  the  fall  a  good  per  cent,  of  us  were  shaking  with  the  ague.  So 
you  may  conclude  that  hand-mills,  hominy-mortars  and  tin  graters 
were  very  common.  The  first  settlers  of  the  county  were  mostly 
horse-meu,  and  there  was  no  place  in  the  county  where  a  man  could 
work  for  a  few  dollars  to  buy  groceries.  His  groceries  had  to  come 
from  the  woods.  Beeswax,  venison  hams,  deer,  coon  and  other  hides 
would  supply  the  wants,  so  the  most  skillful  and  industrious  hunter 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY-  389 

farotl  the  best  in  that  respect.  When  the  Greenup  road  was  first 
laid  off  in  the  direction  of  Greenup,  to  the  county  line,  I  was 
appointed  supervisor  to  open  tiie  road.  My  district  was  the  county 
line  north  to  what  is  called  the  Narrows,  two  miles  east  of  Newton, 
and  I  had  seven  hands  in  my  district — so  you  will  perceive  the  place 
was  thinly  settled. 

"  Of  the  Hrst  two  or  three  courts  which  were  held  in  Jasper,  it 
took  every  man  in  the  county  to  form  the  court.  There  were  not 
men  enough  to  change  jurors,  so  they  had  to  be  reversed.  Those 
who  were  grand  jurors  one  term  had  to  serve  as  traverse  jurors  tho 
next  term;  thus  it  was  the  same  men  trying  the  same  case  each  term. 
Although  we  were  few  and  live!  far  apart,  yet  we  were  willing  to 
help  each  other  a  great  deal  more  than  we  do  now.  Men  thought  it 
no  hardship  to  ffo  seven  or  ei^-ht  miles  to  a  house-raisinof  or  log- 
rolling.  All  met  friendly  and  parted  the  same  way.  On  public 
days,  some  would  drink  too  much  whisky;  then  we  would  have  two 
or  three  whiskv  tights,  l)ut  soon  all  would  be  rio^ht  aorain. 

"  When  tirst  I  came  to  this  county,  game  was  quite  plentiful. 
Bear,  deer,  wild  turkey  and  wild  bses  were  easily  obtained,  while 
the  river  and  ponds  were  well  filled  with  beavers  and  otters.  Pan- 
thers, wolves  and  wild-cats  roamed  at  laro^e.  The  hosfs  we  raised  for 
sale  were  driven  to  the  Wabash,  and  they  were  not  worth  much 
when  we  got  them  there.  I  drove  thirty-seven  head  to  Vincennes, 
and  the  best  1  could  do  then  was  to  sell  on  ninet}^  days  time,  at 
$1.50  per  hunlred  pounds,  and  did  not  get  land-office  money  at  that. 
Those  who  think  they  could  have  gotten  rich  if  they  had  been  here 
m  the  beginning,  could  not  have  supported  a  small  family.  Those, 
who  were  not  good  hunters  did  leave.  If  a  man  brought  gold  and 
silver  with  him,  he  could  get  all  the  land  he  wanted,  but  if  he 
thought  to  make  it  here,  he  missed  the  nuirk,  for  it  was  not  to  be 
had  here. 

"A  little  anecdote  will  illustrate  th3  feelino;s  of  hunters  in  o-eu- 
eral,  and  the  good-natured  pranks  that  were  played  by  all  in  the 
early  times.  Old  Hiram  Wale,  two  of  his  brothers  and  one  brother- 
in-law,  were  out  on  a  coon  hunt,  and  by  hunting  the  scratched  trees 
they  caught  a  good-sized  coon.  Old  Hiram  having  grown  somewhat 
tired,  and  getting  olf  one  side,  thought  of  a  plan  to  get  some  rest. 
He  found  a  large  water-oak  tree  with  a  large  hole  in  the  top.  He 
took  his  knife  and  sharpened  a  hard  stick  so  as  to  answer  his  purpose, 
and  went  c(^  work  making  baar  scratches  on  each  side  of  the  tree  as 
high  up  as  he  could  reach.    He  then  got  a  forked  pole,  set  it  up  against 


35»0  HISTORY    or   JASPER   COUNTY. 

the  tree,  got  upon  it  and  continued  scratching  the  tree  as  high  upas 
he  couUl  rea'di.  He  then  got  down,  cleared  away  all  signs,  and  then 
raised  a  yell  for  the  boys.  They  came  with  a  rush.  "I  have  found 
a  coon  tree;  worse  than  a  coon — a  bear  tree,"  said  the  old  man.  "  Is 
it  possible?"  inquired  the  party  almost  out  of  breath.  "Yes,  he  is 
up  there,  sure,  and  a  large  one  at  that,"  replied  Hiram,  hardly  iible 
to  refrain  from  laughter.  The  boys  were  highly  elated,  and  went  to 
work  with  a  will  on  the  big  tree.  Hiram  told  them  to  look  well  to 
their  guns  and  sec  that  they  were  all  right;  that  he  would  take  the 
dogs  out  of  harm's  way  until  the  tree  fell,  and  then  he  Avould  set  them 
on.  This  he  did.  When  the  tree  fell,  all  hands  rushed  up  with  cocked 
rifles  ready  for  slaus"hter,  but  behold  there  was  no  coon  there,  and 
what  had  bocome  of  the  bear?  He  must  have  climbed  the  tree  and 
then  jumped  oft",  as  there  were  no  downward  scratches  on  the  tree. 
Old  Hiram  had  to  keep  the  secret  for  some  time,  but  finally  told  the 
boys  all  about  it. 

"This  will  do  well  to  illustrate  the  good  spirits  of  the  people. 
They  were  generally  frank,  free-hearted,  whole-souled  fellows,  and 
had  a  hard  time  of  it  generally.  The  early  settlers  would  hunt  all 
day  hard,  and  when  night  came  on  would  find  a  place  where  there 
was  water,  build  a  fire  by  a  log,  roast  meat,  eat  it,  take  mother  earth 
for  a  bed,  go  to  sleep  with  the  heavens  above  them  as  a  covering,  and 
wild  wolves  howling  around  them  and  about  them." 

Another  old  settler  of  Jasper  County  gives  his  experience  with 
wolves  as  follows:  ''In  the  first  settling  of  Jasper  County,  wolves 
and  wild  cats  were  very  plentiful,  and  there  were  new  comers  from 
old-settled  places,  that  had  a  great  dread  of  them.  For  my  part  I 
had  always  been  used  to  them,  and  often  wished  that  they  would 
attack  me  in  the  woods  so  that  I  might  have  some  fun.  In  my  hunt- 
ing days  I  had  a  comrade  that  hunted  and  camped  out  a  great  deal 
with  me.  At  those  times,  all  the  old  hunters  had  '  nicknames.' 
They  call  me 'Uncle  Mike '  now,  then  it  was  'Lidyer.'  My  com- 
rade's name  was  '  Sock.'  One  day  *  Sock  '  had  been  in  the  woods 
riding  his  Indian  pony.  I  think  it  was  in  the  month  of  September, 
1&20,  when  he  came  to  my  cabin  with  his  bristles  uj).  He  told  me 
that  he  had  seen  more  wolf  signs  that  day  than  he  had  ever  seen 
before  in  his  life,  and  that  his  pony  had  got  scared  at  the  scent  of 
them  so  that  he  could  hardly  be  controlled.  The  next  morning  I 
girded  on  my  weapons,  which  included  a  rifle,  butcher-knife  and  tom- 
ahawk, and  struck  out  for  '  Sock's  '  wolf  signs.  I  got  in  range  of 
them,  and  saw  one  playing  with  a  bush.     1  fired  at  it  and  knocked 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY'.  391 

it  over,  and  instantly  another  one  came  up.  Everything  being  ready 
and  in  order,  I  soon  knocked  the  second  one  over.  Shooting  in  such 
a  hurry  I  only  hurt  it.  By  the  time  I  was  ready  for  the  thii'd  shot, 
it  was  on  in  its  feet,  and  I  shot  it  again.  All  of  the  throe  shots  were 
supposed  to  be  within  one  minute  by  those  that  heard  them.  The 
fii-st  wolf  I  shot  got  up  and  walked  a  short  distance.  So  I  went  home, 
got  my  dog,  followed  it  up,  and  got  it.  The  scalps  were  $2  apiece, 
in  the  payment  of  State  tax,  and  while  I  was  skinning  them  the  old 
ones  attacked  my  dog,  and  I  shot  and  killed  one  of  them. 

"  In  the  late  tall  of  the  same  year,  I  started  out  one  evening  for 
a  deer  hunt.  There  was  some  snow  on  the  ground,  and  I  had  not 
got  more  than  a  mile  from  home,  when  I  saw  two  wolves  coming 
towards  me.  When  near  enough  for  a  shot,  I  raised  my  gun  to  my 
shoulder,  but  it  missed  fire  and  they  ran  off.  I  had  not  walked  ten 
steps,  however,  when  I  saw  two  more,  and  I  took  a  snap  at  them, 
and  they  too  ran  off,  having  a  bad  flint  in  my  gun-lock  that  day.  I 
had  not  walked  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  when  I  saw  the  last 
two,  as  I  supposed,  coming  down  the  i)rairie  some  200  yards 
from  me.  I  concluded  I  would  shoot  at  them  anyhow,  not  expecting 
to  hit  one  at  that  distance.  So  I  drew  high  and  cut  away.  At  the 
crack  of  the  gun  I  saw  one  of  the  wolves  fall.  I  broke  to  run,  and 
as  I  was  coming  up  to  it,  I  drew  my  tomahawk  and  struck  it  two  or 
three  licks.  I  thought  1  would  not  mash  the  heiid  too  bad  as  I  wanted 
the  scalp.  Its  mate  had  halted  on  the  prairie,  so  I  sat  down,  re-loaded 
my  gnu,  laid  my  knife  and  tomahawk  on  the  body  of  the  one  I  had  shot, 
and  proceeded  to  '  howl '  the  other  nearer.  I  failed,  and  the  other  left 
when  I  turned  to  scalp  the  one  at  hand.  I  observed  at  once  that  the 
animal  was  still  alive,  and  so  seizing  my  tomahawk  gave  the  wolf  a 
blow  to  finish  it.  This  did  not  seem  to  accomplish  the  purpose,  and 
taking  my  ax  I  proposed  to  sink  the  blade  in  a  vitiil  part.  The  wolf 
dodged  the  blade  and  Avas  on  its  feet,  and  in  an  instant  was  run- 
ning off.  My  gun  failed  me  again,  and  I  followed  that  'dead' 
W/olf  from  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  fom-in  the  afternoon,  and 
I  never  did  get  his  scalp. 

"Hunting  was  largely  a  matter  of  necessity  with  the  early  set- 
tlers, some  of  the  men  making  it  a  special  business  during  the  season. 
One  man  has  been  known  to  kill  and  market  as  many  as  a  hundred 
deer  in  one  season.  But  there  were  a  few  who  had  time  to  indulge 
in  hunting  purely  as  a  sport.  A  hunting  club  was  organized  by 
Joseph  Picquet,  Benjamin  Harris  and  others,  and  wolves  were  hunted 
very  much  as  the  English  follow  tlio  fox.     Each  hunter  was  mounted, 


392  HISTORY    OF    JASPEK    COUNTY. 

some  of  them  on  horses  of  good  Kentucky  blood,  and  the  company 
drawn  out  in  sinijle  line  would  advance  throusrh  the  prairie.  The 
fleetest  horses  were  placed  on  either  winsr,  and  on  the  discovery  of 
a  Avolf,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  huntsman  leadinir  the  nearest  wing,  to 
lead  off  and  attempt  to  enclose  the  wolf,  driving  him  toward  the  cen- 
tre where  the  dogs  were  held  in  leash.  The  members  of  the  club 
owned  several  greyhounds,  among  which  was  an  Irish  thoroughbred. 
When  the  wolf  was  near  enough  the  dogs  were  set  oil",  and  tiio  whole 
field  rushed  after  the  game  No  firearms  were  allowed,  and  the  stir- 
rup only  was  used  to  finish  the  victim.  This  sport  was  indulged  in 
to  a  considerable  extent,  and  as  many  as  thirty  were  killed  in  one 
year.  Wolf  scalps  were  quite  a  source  of  income,  but  the  fur-bear- 
insr  animals  afforded  a  surer  and  larger  revenue.  Asfents  of  the  Amer- 
ican  Fur  Company  came  to  the  settlers  throughout  this  region,  and 
paid  good  prices  for  all  the  settlers  had  to  sell.  Coon  skins  brought 
as  much  as  seventy-five  cents  at  times,  and  the  successful  trapper 
was  able  in  this  way,  not  only  to  pay  his  taxes,  but  also  to  provide 
his  home  with  the  limited  supply  of  store  goods  needed.  Without 
this  adjunct  of  backwoods  life,  it  is  difficult  to  understand  hjow  the 
new  country  could  have  been  so  early  settled.  As  it  was,  most  of 
the  pioneers  brought  to  this  country  a  love  for,  and  skill  in  the  sport, 
and  thus  united  business  and  pleasure,  and  found  au  easy  way  to  les- 
sen the  rigor  of  frontier  privations." 


HISTORY    OF   .lASPEK    OOUNTV.  393 


POLITICAL  ORGANIZATION. 

l^rO  trace  of  the  early  organization  is  to  he  found  in  the  county  rec- 
■'-  ^  ords.  The  hivge  tract  of  country  comprised  in  the  area  between 
the  western  bounds  of  the  present  county  of  Crawford  and  the  Kas- 
kaskia  River,  originally,  did  all  county  business  at  Palestine.  Grad- 
ually the  line  of  settlements  following  up  the  river,  reached  this 
territory,  and  Fayette  County  was  formed.  Subsequently,  Effing- 
ham and  Jasper  were  organized.  Until  about  1820,  the  territory 
between  the  line  of  Fayette  and  Crawford  seems  to  have  had  no  set- 
tled population,  the  tide  of  emigration  flowing  into  this  region 
along  the  lines  of  the  two  rivers,  and  gradually  extending  inland 
from  these  points,  east  and  west.  There  was  probably  some  sort  of 
precinct  organization,  which  included  all  this  unorganized  territory, 
but  it  is  not  until  1834,  that  any  hint  of  the  modern  organization 
is  found.  In  June  of  this  year,  the  Commissioners  of  Crawford 
County,  on  the  petition  of  "  sundry  inhabitants,"  established  the  pre- 
cinct of  Newton,  with  the  voting  place  at  Newton.  This  was  done 
in  June,  1834,  and  W.  M.  Richards,  David  Phillips,  and  Benjamin 
Lamb,  appointed  judges  of  election.  The  first  vote  at  this  point 
was  t;iken  in  January,  1834.  This  was  under  the  administration  of 
Crawford  County.  In  January,  1835,  the  election  was  held  here  to 
elect  the  first  officers  for  the  new  comity,  in  pursuance  of  the  organ- 
izing act  of  the  legislature,  as  noted  before. 

County-seat. — In  tlie  absence  of  the  report  of  the  Legislative 
Commissioners,  tradition  must  be  relied  upon  for  the  facts  concern- 
ing the  location  of  the  county-seat.  There  was  no  competition.  L. 
W.  Jordan,  either  from  shrewd  foresight,  or  because  of  the  natural 
attractions  of  the  locality,  entered,  in  1831,  the  west  half  of  the 
northeast  quarter  of  Section  1,  Township  6  north.  Range  9  east, 
and  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  same  section.  This  entry  covered 
the  geographical  center  of  the  new  county,  or  the  only  available 
spot  for  a  town,  near  that  center.  On  the  formation  of  the  county, 
Jordan  offered  the  twenty  acres  rec^uired  b}^  law,  as  a  site  for  the 
new  county-seat.  This  was  accepted  without  delay,  as  the  Commis- 
sioners were  only  two  days  in  settling  the  question.  But  two  of 
them  were  present,  and  each  one  was  paid  some  months  later  six 


394  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

dollars  for  his  services.  At  this  time  there  were  but  one  or  two 
houses  near  the  site  of  the  village,  Benjamin  Lamb  havino-  entered 
land  on  the  same  section  in  1832. 

ACTS   OF   THE   COUNTY  COMjNIISSIONERS. 

The  County  Commissioners  having  been  duly  elected,  proceeded 
at  once  to  set  the  machinery  of  government  in  motion,  holding  a 
special  session  in  February,  1835.  The  following  copy  of  their  rec- 
ords will  give  some  idea  of  the  routine  and  character  of  the  business 
first  transacted: 

"February  2,  1835. 

"At  a  special  term  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  the 
County  of  Jasper,  and  State  of  Illinois,  begtm  and  held  at  the  house 
of  Lewis  W.  Jordan,  was  present  W.  M.  Richards,  Geo.  Mattingly 
and  Frederick  W.  H.  Clnycomb,  Esqs.,  County  Commissioners,  after 
taking  an  oath  according  to  law,  the  court  being  regularly  opened 
by  the  Sheriff,  according  to  law,  the  court  hereby  appointed  John 
Barnes,  Clerk  of  said  court;  he  filed  his  bond  with  approved  security 
in  the  words  and  figures  following  (then  comes  the  bond  with  pen- 
alty of  $1,000).  The  bond  was  approved,  Barnes  took  the  oath  and 
court  adjourned  till  court  in  course. 

"  March  term  Commissioners'  Court,  first  day,  1835.  Commis- 
sionei's  all  present  as  above,  and  Lewis  W.  Jordan,  Sheritf,  and  Jamas 
Barnes,  Clerk.  The  Board  proceeded  to  lay  otf  the  county  into  vot- 
ing precincts,  as  follows: 

"  Newton  Precinct — Beginning  at  tlie  north  line  of  the  county^ 
at  the  head  of  Crooked  Creek,  where  the  county  line  crosses  said 
creek,  thence  down  said  creek  to  the  mouth,  thence  due  west,  to  the 
west  line  of  said  county,  thence  north  along  the  Jasper  county  line, 
to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county,  thence  east  to  the  place  of 
beginning,  and  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Newton  Precinct. 

"  Ordered,  Tliat  the  following  boundaries  shall  compose  Clay- 
comb  Precinct — Beginning  at  the  Jasper  county  line,  where  it  crosses 
Crooked  Creek,  thence  east  to  the  northeast  corner  of  said  county^ 
thence  south  on  the  county  line  to  where  the  county  line  last  leaves 
the  Nortli  Fork  of  the  Embarrass  River,  thence  down  the  North  Fork 
to  the  Embarrass  River,  thence  up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  Crooked 
Creek,  thence  up  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning,  and  shall  be 
known  by  the  name  of  Clnycomb  Precinct. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  following  boundaries  shall  compose  Price 
Precinct — Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  thence 


HISTORY   OF  JASPER  COUNTY-  395 

north  to  the  North  Fork,  thoncc  down  said  stream  to  the  Embarrass 
River,  thenee  up  the  same  to  the  mouth  of  Crooked  Creek,  thence 
west  to  the  county  line,  tlience  south  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  thence  east  to  the  phice  of  beginning,  and  shall  bo  known 
by  the  name  of  Price  Precinct. 

"  Ordered,  That  court  adjourn  until  to-morrow  morning,  at   10 

o'clock. 

William  M.  Richards,  ) 

Geokgk  Mattingly,        -Commissioners. 

F.  W.  H.  Claycomb,      ( 

"  March  term  Commissioners'  Court,  second  day,  1835. 

"  Court  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     Present  as  yesterday. 

"Ordered,  That  the  place  of  holding  the  election  for  Newton 
Precinct  shall  be  at  the  house  of  Lewis  W.  Jordan,  and  flohn 
Garwood,  Benjamin  Lamb,  and  Lovi  Lee,  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
appointed  judges  of  election  for  Newton  Precinct. 

"  Ordered,  That  Absalom  Eaton,  Jas.  Miller  and  Benjamin 
Eaton,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  judges  of  election  for  Clay- 
comb  Precinct,  and  that  the  place  of  holding  said  election,  shall  be 
at  the  house  of  F.  W.  IL  Claycomb.  i 

"  Ordered,  That  William  Browntield,  James  Jordan  and  Will- 
iam Price,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  judges  to  hold  the  elec- 
tion for  Price  Precinct,  and  that  the  place  of  holding  the  election 
shall  be  at  the  house  of  George  Mattingly. 

"  Ordered,  That  Thomas  M.  Loy,  be,  and  he  is  hereby  appointed 
Surveyor,  to  survey  twenty  acres  of  land  for  the  town  of  Newton 
(for  the  sum  of  $2~),  and  the  Commissioners  furnish  chain-carriers 
and  stake-drivers),  according  to  the  plan  laid  down  by  the  court, 
filed  in  the  Clerk's  oflice  for  Jasper  County. 

"  Ordered,  That  Timothy  Garwood,  be,  and  he  is  hereby  ap- 
pointed Treasurer  for  Jasper  County,  he  having  filed  his  bond  and 
approved  security.  The  Commissioners  then  laid  off  the  county 
into  three  road  districts  and  appointed  Supervisoi*s  for  the  same. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  following  named  persons  be  summoned  by 
the  SherilF,  as  grand  jurors  at  the  first  term  of  Circuit  Court,  to-wit: 
Absalom  Eaton,  James  Miller,  Henry  Walls,  Benjamin  Eaton,  Will- 
iam Owens,  William  Chastain,  John  Robbins,  Joseph  Snider,  Ben- 
jamin Lamm,  John  Garwood,  Luke  Courtright,  Andrew  Douglas, 
Samuel  Henry,  David  Henry,  James  Jordan,  Wm.  Price,  Job  Catt, 
Wm.  Brownficld,  James  ,Jenkins,  Province  Rowlings,  Wm.  Davis, 
Jr.,  Benjamin  Yates  and  L.  1).  AVade — total,  23. 

24 


39f>  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

"  And  the  tbllowins:  mimed  persons  be  summoned  to  serve  as 
petit  jurors  at  the  same  time,  to-wit:  Wni.  Davis,  Jr.,  Isaac  Allison, 
Andrew  Everman,  Samuel  Miller,  Abbott  Lee,  Jas.  Wheeler,  Harri- 
son Wheeler,  Thomas  Maiinin.£r>  John  Harman,  Abraham  Snider, Wm, 
Peterson,  Thos,  Garwood,  Samuel  Garwood,  Jesse  M.  Heard,  Simon 
Cate,  Moses  Preston,  Howard  Yates,  Robert  Yates,  Asa  Hamilton, 
Lewis  Mattingly,  John  Yates,  Nathan  Powell,  William  Lee,  and 
Nathan  Garwood.  Court  then  ad  journed  until  10  o'clock  to-morrow. 

"  Third  day — Full  Board  present. 

"Ordered, — That  the  following:  named  property  be  subject  to  tax- 
ation, to-wit:  Horses  of  all  ages,  cattle  of  all  ages,  hogs,  sheep,  goats, 
watches,  clocks,  wagons,  pleasure  carriages,  bureaus,  desks,  cup- 
boards, town  lots,  stock  in  trade  and  mechanics' tools.  Ordered, — That 
there  shall  be  one-half  ])er  centum  to  the  dollar  on  the  aforesaid 
property. 

"  Ordered, — That  there  be  an  election  held  at  the  diifcrent  voting 
places  in  Jasper  County,  PL,  on  the  fourth  Monday  of  March  next, 
for  the  purpose  of  electing  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  two  Con- 
stables for  each  precinct.     Court  adjourned." 

Special  term  Commissioners'  Court,  March  2.5,  1835.  The  fol- 
lowing claims  were  presented  and  allowed: 

Thomas  M.  Loy,  for  surveying  and  platting  of  Newton $35  00 

Jesse  Barnes,  for  carrying  chain  for  above.. 1  87ii 

Benj.  Vannetta,  for  carrying  chain,  etc —       1  87^ 

Sam'l  Garwood,  '''  "         " 112+ 

N.Garwood,  "  "         "  --- -       1  13i 

T.  Garwood,  for  stake  driving 3  00 

Total. $34  00 

This  day,  Thomas  M.  Loy  presented  a  plat  of  Newton,  which 
was  received  by  the  Commissioners.  The  Commissioners  appointed 
Lewis  W.  Jordan,  James  Jordan  and  Province  Rowlings,  viewers,  to 
locate  a  road  from  the  Lawrence  county  line,  where  the  Shelbyville 
State  road  strikes  said  line,  to  Newton,  by  way  of  James  .Jordan's, 
on  Fox,  thence  to  Coles  county  line,  at  or  near  the  old  crossing  of 
Muddy  Creek,  on  a  direction  to  Charleston.  (This  was  the  first 
road  laid  out  by  our  county  authorities).     Board  adjourned. 

Special  meeting  of  Commissioners'  Court,  May  2,  183r).  John 
Barnes  was  appointed  agent  for  the  county,  to  sell  and  convey  all 
the  town  lots  in  the  town  of  Newton,  and  to  transact  all  other  l)usi- 
ness  for  the  county.     Adjourned. 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY.  397 

June  term  ( ■oiiiinissioners'  Court,  183").  First  day. — Lewis  Jor- 
dan appointee]  (Jonnnisdonor  to  take  census  of  Jasper  County. 

OnlercLl, — Tliat  a  jury  be  sumnioncLl  to  examine  a  mill  seat  on  the 
Embarrass  River,  at  Garwood's  shoals,  and  to  make  report  at  next 
term  of  Commissioners'  Court,  of  the  amount  of  damages  sustained. 
Court  adjourned. 

Second  day. — Viewers  that  had  been  appointed  to  view  the  road 
spoken  of  above,  reported,  tellinjj;-  how  it  should  run,  etc.  Board 
made  new  road  district  (No.  4).  and  appointed  James  Jenkins  Super- 
visor for  the  same. 

Special  term,  June  12,  188.').  John  liarnes  allowed  $1,"),  to  be 
paid  out  for  record  books.  Lewis  W.  Jordan  and  James  Jordan 
allowed  $470,  for  building  jail  for  Jasper  County.  Also,  Lewis  W. 
Jordan,  James  Jordan  and  Province  Rowlings,  $3  each  for  services 
as  road  viewers. 

August  5,    1835.      Timothy   Garwood,  Treasurer,   returned  to    > 
Clerk   (John  Barnes)  the  amount  of  tax  assessed  by  him  (Garwood) 
in  the  county.     Amount  of  property  tax,  $52.25f,  and  $11.83^  land 
tax — total,    $04.09^,    which    amount    was   charged    to    the    Sheriff 
(Lewis  AV.  Jordan). 

September  term  of  Commissiojiers"  C-ourt.  Tlic  f()lb)\ving 
accounts  were  allowed: 

'rimolhy  Garwood,  allowed  for  taking  list  of  taxable  property  in 

the  county ...'. |9  00 

Same  man,  services  as  clerk  of  election,  for  three  days  1  50 

Thos.  B.  Loy,  for  clerk  one  day  at  sale  of  town  lots 1  00 

Others  allowed  fifty  cents  per  day  for  acting  as  judges  and 
clerks  of  election.     Adjourned. 

Second  day.  Report  of  jury  to  see  what  damage  the  mill-dam 
at  Garwood's  shoals  would  be,  reported  that  there  would  be  no 
damage  there])y,  and  the  Board  gave  Mr.  Thomas  Garwood  the 
privilege  of  building  said  dam  to  the  height  of  five  feet,  and  he  is 
compelled  to  make  a  lock  to  said  dam  when  the  Commissioners  re- 
quire it.  Another  Grand  and  Petit  Jury  were  ordered  summoned. 
Adjourned. 

December  term  (First  Monday).  183.").  Benjamin  lA'amon 
granted  license  to  vend  and  sell  merchandise,  at  his  house  in  Jasper 
County,  for  one  year  from  October  HI,  183");  license  fee,  $5,  Clerk's 
fee,  $1.     Fiscal  concerns  of  the  county  of  Jasper  stand  as  follows: 

Dr. 
Orders  issued  to  different  parties  to  the  amount  of !};4!)3  25 


398  HISTORY    OF    JASPP]U    COUNTY. 

Cr. 

Notes  on  different  parties  to  the  amount  of $163  00 

Luke  Courtrigiit,  paid  a  fine  of 3  00 

JobCatt,  ••  "  3  00 

Amount  paid  to  John  Barnes 7  00 

"        taxes  charged  to  Sheriff 53  25 

'*        sale  of  estray  horse 75  75 

"        sale  of  estray  ox -  8  00 

*        received  of  B.  Harman  for  license 5  00 — 316  00 

Total  receipts |316  00 

Balance  indebtedness  of  county $177  25 

Adjourned. 

Sscond  day. — Geor<^c  Mattingly  allowed  $15,  for  ten  days'  ser- 
vices as  County  Commissioner. 

Ordered, — That  court  aJjourn  until  court  in  course. 

Wm.  M.  Richards,      ) 

George  Mattixgly,  >  Commissioners. 

L.  D.  W.VDE,  ) 

March  term  Commissioners'  Court  of  Jasper  County,  held  in 
the  court-house  on  the  first  Monday  of  March,  183(3.  (This  is  the  first 
time  a  court-house  has  been  mentioned.  The  com't-house  was  a 
small  house  that  stood  in  the  brush,  on  the  lot  known  as  the  Dr. 
Walker  Corner,  and  is  now  owned  by  Judge  Gibson.  The  house  was 
used  for  court-house,  schoolhouse  and  church  house,  but  the  county 
authorities  controlled  it,  aud  allowed  it  to  be  used  for  the  above 
purposes).  Full  Board  present.  New  Supervisors  were  appointed 
for  the  Fourth  Road  District,  and  the  Supervisors  requested  to  call 
on  every  able-bodied  man  subject  to  road  labor,  to  work  five  days 
on  the  highways  of  their  district.  Viewers  were  appointed  to  view 
and  locate  a  road  from  the  public  square  in  Newton,  111.,  by  Gar- 
wood's Ferry  on  the  Endiari-ass  River,  on  the  nearest  and  best  route 
to  the  Coles  County  line,  in  the  direction  of  Greenup,  in  Coles 
County.  Viewers  were  appointed  to  view  and  locate  a  road  from 
our  public  square  to  the  EHingham  County  line,  in  the  direction  of 
Ewiuglon,  in  said  county. 

Ordered, — 'J'hat  two  sets  of  jurymen  be  summoned,  etc. 

John  Barnes  was  granted  license  to  kee})  a  tavern  at  his  house 
in  Newton.  License,  "sii'I-^^);  and  to  pay  Clerk's  foe,  license  to  date 
February  3,  1.S3G. 

Ordered, — That  the  following  shall  be  the  rates  to  be  charged  by 
tavern-keepers  in  Jasper  County: 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNl'Y.  399 

For  keeping  horse  all  niglit |0  25 

"   single  feed  for  horse. I2k 

"   meals  of  victuals 25 

"  bed  for  man 6^ 

"   board  by  the  week 1  50 

"   French  brandy  by  the  pint 50 

"  "  ■       "        half-pint 25 

gill.. 6i- 

dram  or  drink 6i 

"   Rum,  same  as  above. 
"   Holland  gin,  same  as  rum. 
"   Cordial,  tame  price. 
"   Wine,  same  price. 

"  American  brandy  by  the  pint .* 25 

half-pint 12* 

gill ei 

"  "  "  "        dramordrink •        Gi 

"   Whisky,  same  price  as  American  brandy. 

John  Barnes  was  granted  license  to  sell  and  vend  merchandise 
at  his  honse,  to  commence  February  3,  1836;  fee,  $5  and  Clerk's  fee. 
Adjourned. 

Second  day. — eTohn  Barnes  allowed  for  one  year  as  Clerk,  $15; 
Lewis  W.  Jordan,  for  one  year  ex-offi/'io  Sheriff,  $15;  Timothy  Gar- 
wood re-appointed  County  Treasurer.  Bond  filed,  with  approved 
security;  bond  approved. 

The  Treasurer  reported  having  received  during  the  year $115  92| 

The  Sheriff  pays  over  this  day  the  amount  of  taxes  due 47  80 

Also,  the  amount  received  on  sale  of  estray  horses 58  37^ 

Total  in  the  Treasury $222  10 

June  term,  183(5 — June  25,  183(5.  Timothy  Garwood,  Treas- 
urer,  returned  amount  of  assessment,  which  was  $1)1.81^  ;  amount 
charged  to  Sheriff. 

September  term,  1836.  Timothy  Garwood  allowed  $9  for  list- 
ing the  tax  of  the  county.  Thomas  Addison  granted  license  to  keep 
a  tavern  at  his  house  in  Newton;  fee,  $2.50  and  Clerk's  fee. 

Ordered, — That  two  sets  jurors  be  summoned  for  next  term  of 
court. 

Second  day — Rates  set  again  for  tavern  charges,  same  as  before, 
except  board  by  the  week  left  out,  and  cherry  bounce  added,  at  same 
price  as  rum. 

December  term,  1836 — First  day.  Benj.  Lamm  granted  license 
to  keep  a  tavern  at  his  house,  in  Jasi)er  Count v.  111.,  by  his  Davinsr 
$1  and  Clerk's  fee;  also,  license  to  sell  and  vend  merchandise  for  one 
year,  for  $5  and  Clerk's  fee. 


400  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTi'. 

Second  day — A  lot  of  claims  for  acting  as  judges  and  clerks  of 
elections,  allowed  at  fifty  cents  per  day,  and  other  accounts. 

TOWNSHIPS  AM)  VOTINO    PHECINCTS. 

At  the  June  session  of  1839,  the  county  was  again  districted. 
Heretofore  the  three  election  precincts  had  served  for  all  the  official 
purposes,  but  in  this  year  the  Commissioners  divided  the  county  into 
Justices'  districts,  with  a  "whereas"  as  follows:  "  That  whereas, 
the  county  of  Jasper  not  having  been  divided  into  Magistrates'  dis- 
tricts, and  it  becoming  necessary  for  it  to  be  done,  it  is  therefore 

"  Ordered, — By  the  court  that  the  following  boundary  compose  a 
Justice's  district,  to  be  called  New^km  District:  Commencina:  on  the 
Embarrass  River,  at  the  mouth  of  James  Jordan's  branch,  running 
up  said  branch  to  the  section  two  miles  south  of  the  township  line 
dividing  Townships  6  and  7;  thence  a  due  west  course  to  the  county 
line;  thence  north  alons:  said  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
county;  thence  east  along  the  county  line  to  the  Embarrass  River; 
thence  down  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning; — and  the  place  of 
holding  elections  in  said  district  shall  be  the  town  of  NcAvton. 

"  Ordered, — That  the  following  boundary  compose  a  Magistrates' 
district,  to  be  called  Saint  Marie  District:  Commencing  at  the  mouth 
of  James  Jordan's  branch,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Embarrass  River, 
thence  up  said  branch  to  section  line  two  miles  south  of  the  town- 
ship line  dividing  Townships  6  and  7;  thence  running  a  due  west 
course  to  the  county  line;  thence  south  along  said  line  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  county;  thence  east  along  the  county  line  to  the 
Embarrass  River;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning; — 
and  the  place  of  holding  election  in  said  district  shall  be  at  the  house 
of  Joseph  Picquet,  Esq. 

"  Ordered, — That  the  following  boundary  compose  a  Justice's  dis- 
trict, to  be  called  Crooked  Creek  District:  Connnencing  on  the 
Embarrass  River,  (»ne  mile  north  of  the  township  line  dividing  Town- 
ships 6  and  7;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  county  line;  thence  along 
said  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  south  along 
said  line  to  a  section  line  within  one  mile  of  the  township  line,  divid- 
ing Townships  G  and  7;  thence  west  along  said  line  to  the  place  of 
beginning; — and  that  the  place  of  holding  elections  in  said  district 
shall  be  at  the  house  of  Aaron  Vannatta." 

The  whole  county  was  thus  divided  into  three  districts  for  the 
election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace,  somewhat  differing  in  their  bound- 
aries from  the  precincts.     But  at  this  time  the  name  of  Price  Pre- 


HISTORY    OF   JASPEU    COUNTY.  401 

cinct  was  cliangccl  to  Saint  Mario,  and  the  place  of  hokling  elections 
transferred  from  Mattingly's  house  to  that  of  Picquet.  Crooked 
Creek  District  was  also  made  at  this  time  a  general  election  precinct. 
By  this  division  of  the  county,  however,  there  was  a  portion  of  the 
county  east  of  the  E^nbarrass  River  left  unprovided  for,  and  in  the 
following  September  it  was  ordered  by  the  Commissioners  that  a 
district  be  erected  to  be  called  Eaton's  District,  with  the  following 
boundaries:  "Commencing  at  the  Embarrass  River,  one  mile  north 
of  the  township  line  dividing  Townships  G  and  7;  running  thence 
east  to  the  center  of  the  prairie  lying  between  Crooked  Creek  and 
the  North  Fork;  thence  north  to  the  county  line;  thence  east  to  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  south  along  the  county  line 
to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  west  alons:  the  line  of 
the  county  to  the  Embarrass  River;  thence  up  said  riA'^er  to  the  place 
of  beginning; — and  that  the  place  of  holding  elections  in  said  district 
shall  be  at  the  house  of  W.  G.  Ryan."  At  the  same  time  the  name 
of  the  Claycomb  Precinct  was  changed  to  Eaton.  This  legislation  suf- 
ficed until  the  June  session  of  1841,  when  George  DoAvthet  presented 
a  petition  in  behalf  of  himself  and  others,  asking  for  the  erection  of 
a  new  precinct.  This  petition  represented  "  that  the  people  of  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  county,  which  includes  the  neighborhood 
called  Muddy,  live  at  a  great  distance  from  the  polling  place,  and 
are  frequently  prevented  from  attending  elections,"  etc.  It  was 
therefore  ordered  by  the  Commissioners  that  an  election  precinct  be 
erected  and  called  Dowthet  Precinct.  What  its  exact  limits  were, 
are  not  recorded.  In  the  following  June  an  additional  Justice's  dis- 
trict was  formed,  commencing  at  the  county  line  which  divides  the 
counties  of  Crawford  and  Jasper  at  a  point  due  east  of  William 
Everman's,  in  said  county,  running  from  thence  west  to  the  west 
line  of  Range  11  east;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  the  county  line^ 
which  line  shall  be  the  eastern  line  of  Crooked  Creek  Precinct; 
thence  east  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  south  alono- 
the*  county  line  to  the  place  of  beginning;  which  shall  be  called 
Clements  Precinct,  and  the  place  of  holding  elections  in  said  precinct 
shall  be  at  O.  Clements'. 

At  the  same  time.  Island  Grove  Precinct,  with  the  voting  place 
at  the  house  of  Courtland  Vandibee,  and  the  North  Fork  Precinct, 
with  the  voting  place  at  the  house  of  O.  Clements,  Avere  erected.  The 
seven  precincts  thus  erected  sufficed  for  live  yeai-s,  when  the  county 
was  entirely  re-districted,  June  1<S47,  as  follows:  Saint  Marie: — 
"  Commencing  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  running  thence 


402  HISTORY   OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

north  with  the  county  line  to  the  Township  line  between  Townships  6 
and  7 ;  thence  west  with  the  township  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of 
Section  4,  in  Township  6  north,  Kiinire  10  cast;  thence  south  with  the 
section  line  to  the  county  line;  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

Newton: — "Commencing  on  the  count}'^  line  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  Section  20,  in  Township  5  north,  Riinge  10  east;  thence 
north  with  the  section  line  to  the  southeiist  corner  of  Section  17, 
in  Township  7  north,  Range  10  east;  thence  west  to  the  range  line 
between  Ranges  9  and  10;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  the  town- 
ship line  between  Townships  7  and  8;  thence  west  M'ith  the  town- 
ship line  to  the  range  line  between  Ranges  8  and  9;  thence  south 
with  the  range  line  to  the  county  line;  thence  east  to  the  place  of 
beginning." 

Muddy:—"  Commencing  on  the  county  line  at  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Section  24,  in  Township  5  north,  Range  8  east,  running 
thence  west  with  the  county  line  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
county,  thence  north  with  the  county  line  to  the  northwest  corner 
of  Section  19,  in  Township  7  north,  Range  8  east;  thence  east  to 
the  range  line  between  Riinges  8  and  9;  thence  south  to  the  place  of 
beginninof." 

Island  Grove: — "  Commencing  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
county,  thence  east  to  the  Embarrass  River;  thence  down  said  river 
to  the  township  line  between  Townships  7  and  8;  thence  west  with 
the  township  line  to  the  range  line  between  Ranges  8  and  9;  thence 
south  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Sectioi\  13,  in  Township  7  north, 
Range  8  east;  thence  west  to  the  county  line;  thence  north  to  the 
place  of  beginning." 

Crooked  Creek: — "  Commencing  on  the  township  line  between 
Townships  6  and  7,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  3(3,  in  Town- 
ship 7  north.  Range  10  east,  running  thence  west  to  the  southeast 
corner  of  Section  32,  in  Township  7  north.  Range  10  east;  thence 
north  with  the  section  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  20,  in 
Township  7  north,  Range  10  east;  thence  west  with  the  section  line 
to  the  range  line  between  Ranges  9  and  10;  thence  north  to  the 
township  line  between  Townships  7  and  8:  thence  west  to  the  Em- 
barrass River;  thence  up  said  river  to  the  county  line;  thence  to  the 
range  line  bt>twcen  Ranges  10  and  11;  thence  south  to  the  place  of. 
beginning." 

North  Fork: — "Commencing  on  the  county  line  at  the  range 
line  between  Rauijes  10  and  11,  runniuGr  thence  with  the  count v  line 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  south  with  the  county 


HISTOUY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  403 

line  to  the  townslii})  liiu^  between  Townships  (j  and  7;  thence  west 
with  the  township  line  to  the  ninjife  line  between  Ranges  10  and  11; 
thence  north  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

Five  years  later  the  popnlation  of  Newton  Precinct  became  so 
nnmerous  and  widely  scattered,  that  Woodford,  Gambriel  and  snn- 
dry  citizens,  })etitionod  for  a  new  election  ])recinct.  This  petition 
was  granted  and  the  following  boundaries  fixed  for  the  new  precinct: 
"Commencing  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  22,  Township  5 
north.  Range  8  east,  on  the  county  line,  running  thence  east  along 
the  county  line  to  the  range  line  between  Ranges  9  and  10;  thence 
north  with  said  range  line  to  the  township  line  between  Townships 
5  and  G;  thence  west  w^ith  the  township  line  to  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  Section  3,  in  Township  f)  north,  Ruige  8  east;  thence  south 
w-ith  the  section  line  to  the  place  of  beginning."  This  w^as  called 
Small  wood  Precinct,  and  the  place  of  holding  elections  established 
at  the  house  of  Samuel  Small  wood.  In  September  of  the  same  year 
(18.32),  on  petition  of  John  Roberts  and  others,  Jackson  Precinct 
was  formed  as  foUow^s:  "  Beginning  at  the  county  line  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  1.5,  Township  7 
north,  Range  14  west;  thence  west  to  the  ransre  line  dividing 
Ranges  10  and  11;  thence  south  along  said  range  line  to  the  south- 
west corner  of  Section  7,  Township  (5  north,  Range  11  east;  thence 
east  along  the  section  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  10, 
Township  G  north.  Range  14  west,  at  the  county  line;  thence  north 
along  the  county  line  to  the  place  of  beginning."  The  place  of 
holding  elections  was  established  at  the  house  of  VVm.  Ping.  At 
the  same  time  Hill  Creek  Precinct  was  erected,  its  boundary  "begin- 
ning on  the  county  line  on  range  line  between  Ranges  8  and  9,  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Section  1,  Township  8  north,  Rmge  8 
east,  thence  east  on  the  county  line  to  the  Embarrass  River, 
thence  down  the  meanderings  of  the  river  to  the  township  line 
between  Townships  7  and  8;  thence  west  with  the  township  line  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  Section  34,  Township  8  north,  Range  8 
east;  thence  in  a  noi-theastwardly  direction  to  the  southeast  corner  of 
Section  1,  Township  8  north.  Range  8  east;  thence  north  to  the 
place  ot  beginning."  This  divided  Island  Grove  into  two  (|ueerly- 
shaped  precincts,  which  Avere  suggested  by  the  course  of  streams. 
These,  though  insignificant  now,  often  prevented  voters  in  an  early 
day  from  reaching  the  polls,  wdien  the  whole  territory  formed  one 
precinct.  Muddy  Precinct  was  also  reconstructed  so  as  to  form  a 
long  parallelogram  on  the  west  side  of  the  county,  extendina-  from 


404  III.STOKY    OF   JASPER    COINTV. 

Island  Grove  to  the  .southern  bountlary  of  the  county,  and  three  sec- 
tions wide.  Grandville  Precinct  was  formed  at  this  time  and  com- 
prised the  same  territory  as  at  present,  save  that  its  east  and  west 
dimension  was  one  mile  shorter. 

In  March  of  1854,  Mr.  Bolinger  and  others,  petitioned  for  a 
new  precinct  to  be  called  Kickapoo.  This  petition  was  granted,  and 
a  small  precinct  of  twenty-one  sections,  in  center  of  which  was 
located  the  village  of  "  Brockville,"  was  erected.  In  18.')S,  Muddy 
Precinct  was  divided  and  reconstructed,  so  that  Township  7  north, 
in  Range  8  east,  and  the  northern  half  of  Township  G,  in  the  same 
range,  formed  North  Muddy,  and  the  balance  of  the  range  to  the 
southern  county  line,  formed  the  South  Muddy. 

There  seem  to  have  been  other  considerations  that  the  neces- 
sity of  the  situation  brought  to  bear  upon  many  of  these  precinct 
changes.  A  feeling  had  arisen  as  early  as  1848,  that  the  county- 
seat  exercised  an  undue  amount  of  influence  upon  the  affiiirs  of  the 
various  outlying  precincts,  and  the  people  of  Saint  Marie,  especially, 
felt  that  the  county-seat  was  thriving  at  the  expense  of  its  more 
commercial  rival.  Under  the  old  regime,  of  Commissioners  and 
County  Court,  with  the  Clerk  and  Sheriff  strongly  identific^d  with 
Xewton  interests,  it  was  not  difficult  for  the  countv-seat  influences  to 
secure  a  majority  of  the  board  favorable  to  their  plans.  In  this 
way  Saint  Marie  found  it  difficult  to  secure  such  appropriations 
which  she  felt  was  due  to  the  part  she  bore  in  the  finances  of  the 
county.  The  result  of  this  dissatisfaction  was  the  agitation  for 
"  township  organization,"  and  in  November,  1849,  the  question  was 
submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people.  There  was,  of  course,  a  decided 
opposition  to  this  dei)arture  from  the  old  customs,  on  the  part  of  the 
ruling  faction,  and  the  question  was  carried  by  the  meagre  majority 
of  142  to  132.  Anderson  Arnold,  George  Mitchell  and  Joseph 
Schiffcrstein,  were  appointed  Commissioners  to  divide  the  county 
into  townships,  preparatory  to  the  election  of  Supervisors,  etc.  This 
Board  reported  the  boundaries  of  six  townships.  North  Fork,  Marion, 
Island  Grove,  Polk,  Muddy  and  S:iint  Mirie,  but  here  the  matter 
ended.  The  Clerk  at  that  time  was  noted  for  his  reckless  assumj)- 
tion  of  authority,  and  was,  of  course,  opposed  to  the  change.  Some 
irregular  technicality  was  discovered,  the  opinion  of  the  Attorney 
General  was  had,  and  the  whole  matter  quietly  placed  upon  the 
shelf  "among  the  rul)l)ish  of  forgotten  things."  Thus  the  matter 
stood  until  September  of  18.39,  when  a  petition,  signed  by  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  citizens,  praying  that  the  question  of"  town- 


IIISTOKV    OF   JASPEK    COUMT.  4U5 

ship  oriranization  "  l)o  airain  submitted  to  the  people.  In  the  fol- 
lowiiii:  Xovcinber  the  matter  was  brou^-ht  to  vote,  and  athrnied  by 
a  consich'niblc  majority,  and  in  December,  A.  S.  Harris,  J.  li.  Den- 
man  and  Josepli  Sehillerstein,  were  appointed  to  divide  the  county 
into  townships.  This  committee  rei)ortcd  the  boundaries  of  nine 
townships:  Grove,  Crooked  Creek,  Grandvillc,  Willow  Hill,  Wade, 
North  and  South  Muddy,  Sniallwood  and  Saint  Marie. 

The  boimdaries  of  these  townships  were  reportedsubstantially 
as  they  are  found  at  present,  save  in  the  case  of  Saint  Marie.  This 
orig-inally  comprised  the  territory  of  Fox  as  well  as  its  own.  It  was 
a  larofe  and  unwieldy  oro-anization,  and  it  was  not  long  before  the 
citizens  of  the  western  part  found  the  size  a  matter  of  considerable 
inconvenience.  In  December,  1867,  a  little  more  than  five  sections 
of  its  territory  M^as  struck  off  to  Willow  Hill  to  equalize  the  burden 
of  grading  the  "bottom  road."  In  1871,  a  petition  was  presented 
to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  by  the  citizens  of  the  west  side  of  Saint 
Marie  Township,  through  their  attorney,  asking  for  a  division  of  the 
township.  This  was  met  by  a  vigorous  remonstrance,  and  the  peti- 
tion was  eventually  rejected.  On  January  15,  1875,  the  effort  to 
secure  a  division  was  renewed,  and  a  petition  praying  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  township  to  be  called  Union,  or  such  other  name  as  the 
Board  might  think  appropriate,  was  granted.  This  was  not  done, 
however,  Avithout  vigorous  opposition.  The  case  was  finally  adjudi- 
cated in  the  State  Supremo  Court,  and  as  the  history  of  the  whole 
matter  is  given  in  the  court's  decision,  it  is  given  here  in  full: 

"  The  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Jasper  County,  on  the  15th  of 
Januar}^  1875,  made  an  order  establishing  a  new  townshij)  from  ter- 
ritory tidvcn  from  Saint  Marie  Township,  in  that  county.  The  Board 
appointed  plaintiffs  in  error  judges  of  election  of  the  township  thus 
created,  for  the  choice  of  town  ofiicers.  To  prevent  plaintift's  in 
error  from  performing  their  duty,  and  holding  the  election,  this  bill 
was  filed,  and  a  temporary  injunction  granted,  restraining  them  from 
acting  as  such  judges,  until  the  consent  of  the  people  to  such  division 
should  be  obtained  from  the  majority  of  the  electors,  at  an  annual 
election  in  the  original  township.  At  the  spring  term,  1875,  of  the 
Circuit  Court,  a  hearing  was  had,  and  the  injunction  rendered  per- 
petual. To  reverse  that  decree,  the  record  is  brought  to  this  court, 
and  various  erroi-s  have  been  assigned. 

"  It  is  urged  that  the  whole  question  in  the  case  turns  upon  the 
construction  of  the  twenty -sixth  section  of  the  Township  Organiza- 
tion Law.     (R.  S.,  1874,  p.  lOGD. )     The  section  confers  ample  power 


403  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

and  jurisdiction  upon  the  County  Board  to  alter  the  boundaries  ot 
towns,  to  chanije  town  lines,  and  to  divide,  cnlarae  and  create  new 
towns  in  their  respective  counties,  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the 
inhabitants  residing-  therein.  The  section  also  provides  for  the 
amount  of  territory  which  the  new  town  shall  embrace,  the  number 
of  voters  it  shall  contain,  for  a  petition  to  be  presented,  etc.  To 
this  section  is  added  this  proviso:  '  Provided,  that  no  incorporated 
II  town  shall  be  divided,  except  consent  thereto  is  given  by  a  majority 

of  all  the  electors  votinsr  at  a  fircneral  election  in  said  town — notice 
that  the  question  of  dividiuir  said  town  will  be  submitted  to  the 
lesral  voters  thereof  bavins:  l)een  ijiven  by  the  County  Clerk,  at  the 
same  time  and  in  the  same  manner  as  the  notice  of  said  general 
annual  election.' 

"  The  question  presented  is,  where  and  b}^  whom  is  the  election 
to  be  had  ?  Is  it  by  the  incorporated  town  or  village,  by  the  town- 
ship as  it  was  before  the  division,  or  by  the  electors  in  the  territory 
proposed  to  be  erected  into  a  new  township  ?  This  proviso  is  not 
free  from  obscurity  and  doubt,  as  to  the  true  meaning  of  the  lan- 
guage employed.  It  seems  to  be  obvious  thtit  the  division  of  an 
incorporated  toAvn  or  village  cannot  be  had  by  changing  township 
lines,  by  enlarging  or  dividing  the  township,  or  the  creation  of  a 
new  township,  without  the  vote  provided  for  by  the  proviso.  The 
language  seems  to  embrace  each  and  every  one  of  these  contingencies. 

"  Where  the  County  Board  proposes  to  enlarge  a  townshii),  two 
of  these  bodies  are  directly  interested  in  the  division,  and  yet,  if  the 
proviso  was  intended  to  embrace  such  a  case,  but  one  township  would 
be  embraced  by  the  language  of  the  proviso,  and  it  would  be  un- 
known which,  nor  could  we  conjecture  Avhich  was  intended.  And  if 
the  townships  were  intended  to  vote,  it  would  have  sjiccified  whether 
both  or  which  one,  shoidd  consent  to  the  enhirgement.  So  of  the 
change  of  the  township  lines. 

"  Again,  the  townships  are  designated  as  towns,  but  the  village 
is  designated  as  an  incorporated  town  by  this  section.  The  fact  that 
this  difference  in  the  terms  employed  was  used,  would  manifest  a 
design  to  make  a  broad  distinction  of  the  subjects  embraced  by  each. 
Whilst  the  word  '  town  '  is  sometimes  employed  to  designate  a  town- 
ship, the  term  *  incorporate!  town  '  is  seldom,  if  ever,  employed  to 
embrace  such  a  body.  According  to  the  canons  of  construction, 
ordinary  terms  must  be  held  to  have  been  used  in  their  general  and 
popular  sense.  AVe  must,  therefore,  conclude  that  the  proviso  only 
requires  an  election  held  in  case  an  incorporated  town  or  village  is 


HISTOUY    OF   JASl'EU   COUNTY.  407 

to  be  divided  by  the  alteration  of  the  township  line,  the  alteration, 
the  division,  or  the  formation  of  a  new  township,  and  the  words 
'  said  town  '  employed  in  reference  to  the  election  and  notice,  as  used 
in  the  proviso,  must  be  held  to  ai)ply  to  an  in('or[)orated  town  or 
village.  It  then  follows,  that  in  such  case  the  election  can  only  be 
held  in  the  incorporated  town  or  village.  It  was  the  design  of  sub- 
mitting the  question,  whether  the  incoq)()rate  I  town  or  village 
should  b;5  divided,  to  the  voters  of  that  municipality,  before  the  order 
of  the  County  Board  could  become  operative.  No  such  incorporated 
town  having  l)een  divided  by  the  order  of  the  County  Board  in  this 
case,  no  election  was  recjuired  to  be  held,  and  the  order  of  the  Board 
became  operative  by  its  own  force. 

"  We  are  fortifiad  in  this  construction  from  the  fact  that,  in 
organizing  townships,  in  the  first  place  the  inhabitants  have  no  right 
to  vote,  although  fractional  townships  may  be  added  to  others.  It 
would,  therefore,  seem  that  the  General  Assembly  have  only  pro- 
vided that  a  vote  shall  be  had  when  it  is  proposed  to  divide  an  incor- 
porated town  or  village,  and  that  the  voters  therein  shall  alone  vote 
on  the  question  of  the  division. 

"  But  according  to  the  repeated  decisions  of  this  court,  the  power 
to  hold  an  election  is  political  and  not  judicial;  hence,  a  court  of  equity 
has  no  power  to  restrain  otficers  from  the  exercise  of  su^-h  powers. 
(Citjitions.)  These  cases  fully  csttiblish  this  doctrine  and  further 
discussion  of  the  rule  is  deemed  wholly  unnecessary,  as  we  perceive 
no  reason  to  overrule,  modify,  or  change  the  rule.  We  regard  it 
firmly  settled. 

"  From  what  has  been  said,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  court  ha  I  no 
jurisdiction  to  decree  an  injunction,  and,  had  the  power  existed,  the 
decree  rend(H*ed  would  have  been  erroneous,  and  it  must  be  reversed 
and  the  bill  dismissed.  Decree  reversed-'^  This  decision  was  ren- 
dered in  the  June  term,  187(5,  and  in  the  following  December,  Fox 
Township  completed  its  organization  and  became  one  of  the  politi- 
cal divisions  of  the  county.  Tlie  present  status  of  the  townships 
taken  from  Johnson's  historical  sketch  is  as  follows: 

"  Grandville  Township,  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  county, 
is  eight  miles  north  and  south  by  about  five  and  three-fourths  miles  east 
and  west,  and  contains  about  forty-five  square  miles,  about  half  of 
which  is  beautifid  prairie  and  is  nearly  all  in  cultivation,  with  some 
very  fin(>  farms  in  the  timber  and  some  very  large  and  fine  farms  on 
the  prairie.  Mr.  G.  W.  Jetfers,  who  lives  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  township,   in  the  cdcrc  of  the  timber,  has  a  fine,  larsre  farm  with 


408  IIISTOUY    OF   JASPEU   COUNTi'. 

^ood  buildings  thereon,  and  there  are  several  large  and  beautiful 
farms  west  of  him,  on  the  prairie.  The  township  is  well  furnished  with 
school  and  church  houses.  The  first  settlers  that  can  at  present  be 
given,  were  J.  Shook  and  Adam  Owry,  about  the  year  1832,  then 
the  Leamonses,  about  1837,  and  many  others,  until  1880  they  had  in 
the  township  l,4(j2  souls,  with  personal  property  valued  at  $47,462, 
real  estate,  $150,474,  totjil,  $197,936;  their  votes  stood.  Democratic, 
138,  Republican,  146,  Greenback,  15— total,  299.  Dr.  J.  M.  Barlow 
is  suppsed  to  be  the  heaviest  man— his  weight  is  240  pounds;  G. 
Leamon  the  tallest,  height  six  feet  one  inch;  Granny  Shacklee  the 
oldest  person,  aged  eighty-two  years;  Samuel  Simpson  is  seventy- 
eight  years. 

"  Going  w^est,  adjoining  Grandville,  comes  Crooked  Creek  Town- 
ship, which  is  seven  and  one-half  miles  north  and  south,  and  aver- 
ages about  seven  and  three-(piarter  miles  east  and  west  (the  west 
line  runs  partly  with  the  Eml)arrass  Hiver,  which  makes  it  crooked), 
and  contains  about  fifty-seven  square  miles  and  has  a  fine  prairie 
running  north  and  south  through  the  center  of  the  township.    It  is  all 
under  fence  except  part  of  the  timber  land  or  some  of  the  river  bottom 
lands.  There  areas  many,  if  not  more,  nice  fiirms  and  good  farmers  in 
this,  than  any  other  township  in  the  county.     They  have  four  church 
houses,  thirteen   schoolhouses,  and  in  1880  they  h:ul  a  population  of 
2,015,  which  voted,  Democratic,  283,  Republican,  151,  Green1)ack,  24 
—total,  458;  had  personal   property  valued  at  $79,779,  real  estate, 
$261,328— total,  $341,107.     Some  of  tlu>  first  settlers  were  Jesse  M. 
Herd,  who  settled  in  the  township  in    1834,  lived  there  about  ten 
years  and  then  moved  west.     He  was  a  hunter,  and  the  county  was 
settling  up  too  fast.    Next  came  the  Vannettas,  :McCleaves  and  John 
Swick,  in  the  years  1835-36.     Mr.  Swick  is  the  only  one  of  the  above 
yet  living  in-  the  township,  the  others  having  moved  off  or  died. 
Mr.  S.  is  now  eighty  years  old,  and  has  lived  in  the  township  all  the 
time  since  1836.     Mr.  Swick  and  Miss  Rachel  Barnes  were  the  first 
couple  inarried  in  the  township.     The  first   person  known  to  die  in 
the  township  was  a  Miss  Mawk.     Mr.  Swick  made  the  coifin  by  hew- 
in"-  it  out  of  a  big  log,  there  being  no  such  thing  as  saAved  lumber 
then.     In    1837-38,  the   Kiblers,  Hammers,    Cunnnins,    and    othci-s 
moved  in.     In  1837,  Mr.  F.  J.  Hammer  commenced  and  built  a  little 
mill  (he  l»eing  a  millwright)  on  Crooked  Creek  to  grind  corn;  after- 
ward he  attached  a  saw  to  it.     There  are  now  in  the  township  nine 
persons  each  over  seventy  years  old,  and    all  have  been  in  the  town- 
ship over  forty  years;  thirty-five  persons  who  are  over  sixty  years 


HISTOliV    OF   JASPKli    tOLNTV.  409 

old,  and  each  has  been  in  the  township  over  thirty  years;  forty-two 
persons  who  are  over  sixty  years,  and  each  has  been  in  the  township 
twenty-five  years.  There  arc  now  fifty-four  persons  in  the  town- 
ship that  are  each  over  sixty  years  old.  The  united  a<res  of  the  fifty- 
four  are  3G<S()  yeai-s.  The  united  time  the  above  persons  have  lived 
in  the  township  is,  1,(),S0  years.  There  is  a  family  of  five  persons 
Viv'mg  in  the  township,  whose  united  weight  is  1,131  pounds;  the 
father  weighs  191,  the  mother  22,3,  the  son  230,  one  daughter  210 
and  a  little  girl  275  pounds.  Daniel  Perrine's  daughter  is  eleven 
years  old  and  weighs  133  pounds;  John  Kibler  s  daughter  (llosilla)^ 
who  is  but  ten  years  old,  weighs  141  pounds.  James  Poor  is 
supposed  to  be  the  tallest  person;  he  is  six  feet  five  inches;  William 
Haynes  is  forty-two  years  old,  six  feet  four  inches  high;  has  twelve 
children,  one  pair  triplets.  Mr.  H.  can  stand  flat-footed  and  kick 
seven  feet  high;  he  is  supposed  to  be  the  highest  AzcAw  in  the  town- 
ship. Mr.  James  Cummins  is  the  father  of  twelve  children,  all  liv- 
ing, including  three  pairs  of  twins  in  succession,  and  yet  Mr.  Solo- 
mon Cooi)er  was  the  father  of  four  children,  all  born  at  one  birth; 
but  the  children  only  lived  a  short  time.  There  are  other  things 
about  Crooked  Creek  that  we  would  like  to  give,  but  haven't  rooru 
here.  All  the  above  are  facts,  and  we  put  Crooked  Creek  against 
the  world. 

"  Grove  Township,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county,  is  six 
miles  north  and  south  by  eight  and  one-quarter  miles  east  and  west, 
and  has  the  finest  body  of  prairie  of  any  township  in  the  county, 
with  a  fine  strip  of  timber  alo)ig  the  Embarrass,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  townshi[);  also,  a  fint;  body  of  timber  on  the  west  side,  called  the 
Island  Grove.  It  is  an  elevated  piece  of  land  of  about  040  acres 
entirely  surrounded  by  prairie,  and  can  be  seen  for  eight  or  ten  miles 
around.  There  are  two  or  three  very  large  farmers  in  the  township, 
namely:  James  L.  Crews  and  A.  G.  Caldwell,  Jr.  ]\Ir.  Crews  is 
probiibly  the  largest  farmer  and  wealthiest  man  in  the  township,  if 
not  the  wealthiest  man  in  the  county.  There  are  no  towns  or  post- 
offices  in  the  township  at  present,  and  but  one  store,  that  kept  by  Mr. 
Myei-s,  who  keeps  a  very  good  country  store.  They  once  had  a  post- 
office  at  Mr.  A.  G.  Caldwell's,  but  the  route  being  changed,  the  ofiico 
was  discontinued,  since  which  time  they  have  had  no  post-office.  In 
1«7(),  ]Mrs.  Margaret  Walton  died  at  the  good  old  age  of  103  years. 
vShe  had  been  living  in  the  township  for  thirty  years,  and  had  13(; 
children,  grand  children  and  grciit-grand' children.  In  1880  Grove 
liad  a  jmpulation  of   1,21;')  whites,  and  one  colored;  voted  Demo- 


410  HISTORY   OF  JASPER  COUNTY. 

ci-atic,  14!»,  Kepiiblican,  87,  Grcenbiifk,  9 — total,  245;  value  of  per- 
sonal property,  $80,780,  real  estate,  §191,221— total,  $272,001.  It  U 
hard  to  tell  now,  just  who  was  the  first  settler  iu  the  township}. 
The  Garwoods,  LeeS  and  others  settled  along  the  river,  prior  to 
1835.  In  1836,  John|Priee  settled  a  little  above  the  Grarwood  mill 
seat;  then  came  the  Wheelers  and  others,  some  beginning  to  settle 
near  the  Grove,  one  man  by  the  name  of  Shy  (a  half-breed)  built  a 
hut  of  prairie  sod  (where  Mr.  Crews' garden  now  stands),  but  the 
first  prairie  fire  burned  his  mansion,  and  he  pulled  up  stakes  and 
moved  out  west. 

"  North  ]\Iuddy  Township,  just  south  of  Grove,  is  nine  miles 
north  and  south  by  five  and  one-quarter  miles  east  and  west,  and  is 
about  three-fourths  beautiful  prairie,  which  is  almost  all  in  cultiva^ 
tion.  The  timber  along  Big  ]Muddy  Creek  (from  which  the  town- 
ship was  named),  is  mostly  white  oak,  and  in  places  almost  as  fine  as 
can  l)e  found  in  the  county.  There  are  four  saw  and  two  grist-mills 
on  the  creek.  There  are  some  extensive  farmers  in  the  town- 
ship. John  jSIason  and  W.  C.  Gillson  are  probably  the  largest  farm- 
ers in  it.  The  townsliip  is  improving  very  fast  in  real  improve- 
ments, since  the  S.,  E.  &  S-  E.  R.  R.  was  built  through  it.  There  are 
four  ofood  frame  church  houses  in  the  township,  and  it  is  well  sui> 
plied  with  good  school  houses  in  every  school  district.  The  oldest 
person  in  the  township  is  Mrs.  Winters  (AVilliam  C  Gillson's 
mother-in-law),  who  is  eighty-three  years  old.  John  Fillinger  is 
seventy-four.  Grandison  Clark  is  the  heaviest  person  in  the  town- 
ship; his  weight  is  265  pounds.  Asbury  Johnson  is  six  feet  six  inches 
in  heisht,  and  vet  claims  his  residence  in  the  township.  The  vote  at 
the  last  Presidential  election  stood  Democnitic,  143,  Republican,  112, 
Greenback,  5.  The  census  of  June,  1880,  gave  the  township  1,255 
inhabitants;  value  of  personal  property,  $55,613;  real  estate,  $173,- 
588— totiil,  $229,201. 

"  Wade  Township,  named  for  Hiram  Wade,  who  Avas  so  loni,' 
Clerk  of  the  county,  is  just  east  of  North  Muddy  Township,  and  iii 
the  center  of  the  county,  and  is  about  eight  and  one  quarter  miles 
north  and  south  by  eight  and  thrce-([uarter  miles  east  and  west,  and 
is  the  largest  township  in  the  county.  It  is  a  little  over  half  prairie, 
about  all  of  which  is  in  cultivation.  The  timber  along  the  Embar- 
rass River,  which  runs  through  the  township,  has  been  very  tine, 
but  is  being  sawed  up  very  fast.  The  river  bottom  land  is  the  most 
productive  that  we  have,  yet  most  of  it  overflows,  which  makes  it 
hard  to  keep  u[)  the  fencing.     The  prairie  is  good,  and  generally 


% 


iv^ 


ff-  \ 


;.»r^- 


(jfj^  -6Qj^^<^^^-eJ(o 


•  lIISTOia     or   .lA.si'EK    COUNTY.  411 

moiv  r()lliiii»-  than  somo  land  tiirther  trcMii  the  river.  'I'lioro  are  no 
\ crv  extensive  farmers  in  tlie  townsliip,  James  E.  Freeman  beniiif  prob- 
ably the  hirgest.  Juili,»-e  IlaUey,  or  John  D.  Harris  (one  or  the 
other,  some  days  one,  some  days  the  other),  is  the  heaviest  person  in 
the  township:  they  weigh  eaeh,  from  24.")  to  2Gi)  pounds  gross.  The 
oldest  person  in  the  township  is  probably  ^Nlrs.  Banta  (Capt.  Law- 
renec^  Banta's  mother),  aged,  July,  1882,  eighty-five  years;  next  is 
Unele  George  Foltz,  who  is  eighty-four.  The  vote  of  18S()  was, 
Democratie,  34"),  Republiean,  27.i,  Greenbaek,  14 — total,  6l\2,  and  a 
population  at  the  time  (ineluding  NeAvton)  of  4,115);  value  of  per- 
sonal property,  $115,818;  real  estate,  $;U 7,80.")— total,  $4;i;},123. 
The  township  was  first  settled  in  or  near  where  Xewton  now  stands, 
and.  with  a  few  exeeptions,  by  as  bad  a  set  of  roughs  as  any  new 
<'()unty  ought  to  boast  of  ever  having. 

••  Willow  Hill  Township  lies  due  east  of  Wade  and  south  of 
Grandville,  and  if  stpiare  would  be  about  six  and  one-quarter  miles 
north  and  south,  and  eight  miles  east  and  west,  and  is  very  evenly 
divided  between  prairie  and  timber.  The  prairie  is  about  all  im- 
proved, and  but  little  timber  land  that  is  not  fenced  u[).  Some  of 
the  land  is  a  little  flat,  but  can  all  be  easily  drained.  There  are 
some  very  nice  farms  in  the  townshi}).  John  A.  Merrick  is  sup])osed 
to  bo  the  largest  farmer.  The  township  has  improved  very  fast 
since  they  got  their  second  railroad,  and  with  one  or  tAVo  good  crops, 
Willow  Hill  will  l)e  booming.  The  township  has  ten  good  school- 
houses,  five  church  houses,  and  religious  services  held  in  three  school- 
houses;  also,  two  Lodges  I.  O.  0.  P.,  one  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  one  Knights 
of  Honor,  and  one  Good  Templars.  The  census  of  1880  gives  them 
l,s{)'>  whites,  and  six  colored;  total,  1,811  souls.  The  same  year 
their  vote  stood.  Democratic,  22il,  Republican,  11(5,  Greenback,  9 — 
total,  ;>.")!  votes,  while  they  have  371)  registered  voters.  The  same 
year  their  ])r()[)erty  was  assessed:  personal,  $50,174,  real  estate, 
I  $183,04!)— total,  $233,223.  Their  tallest  man  is  Beeler  Keeler,  who 
\  (when  straightened  out)  is  six  feet,  seven  inches  long.  Their  oldest 
j  person  is  Jolm  Ryan,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Abraham  Cox  is 
'  eighty,  and  Harriet  his  wife,  is  seventy-eight,  and  they  have  been 
married  over  sixty  years. 

"Saint  Marie  Townsliip  is  due  south  of  Wilh)W  Hill  Township, 

!  and  is  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  is  about  seven  miles 

I  north  and  south,  by  six  east  and  west,  and  is  mostly  timber  land,  as 

I  the  Embarrass   River  runs  through  the  township.     There  are  some 

very  good  farms  in  the    township,  and  it   is   mostly   in  cultivation, 

25 


412  IIISTOK^     or     lASl'EK    COl   N  I"^  . 

except  most  of  the  river  bottom  hinds.  The  to\vii.shi[)  is  improvino- 
very  fast.  It  had  a  popuhitioii  in  1880.  of  ill 2,  and  voted.  Demo- 
cratic, 157.  Repulilican,  4!)— total,  200;  value  of  property  the  same 
year.  $17(),727  real  estate:  ^38,427,  personal;  total.  $215,ir)4.  The 
township  was  first  settled  principally  by  the  French,  and  afterward 
by  Germans,  l)ut  now  has  many  Americans  therein. 

"Fox  Township,  due  west  of  Saint  Marie  Township,  was  cut 
oti'  from  Saint  Marie  Township,  December,  187().    It  is  about  seven  and 
three-cpiarters  miles  north  and  south,  by  tivc  miles  east  and  west,  and 
is  mostly  beautiful  prairie,   except  a  stri[)    of  timber  on  Fox  Creek, 
that  runs  nearly  through  the  township.     The  prairie  is   almost  all 
under  cultivation,  and   also  part    of  the   timber.     The  township  Is 
improviu<>-  very  fast,  espec-ially  in  sood  farms.     The  land,  oenerally 
lays  well,  and  is  rich.     In  1880,  they  had  a  i)opulation  of  782:  voted 
Democratic,  91),  Republican  65 — totiil,  1(54;  had  personal  property  to 
the  amount  of  $43,010,  real  estate,  $208,821— total,  S251,881.     They 
have  some  very  good  farmers  who  are  noted  for  never  failing  to  raise  a 
o-ood  crop.     The  first  settlers  were  James  Jordan.  George  Mattingly, 
T.  S.  Clark,  Boos,  Kaufman,  etc     Joseph  Tade,  of  West  Liberty,  is 
the  oldest  person   in   the  township,  age  ninety-one;  has   never  used 
tobacco  or  whisk}^  and  is  quite  lively,  and  has  not  an  enemy  in  the 
world.     The  future  prospects  for  Fox  are  very  promising. 

"  Smallwood  Township  lies  due  west  of  Fox.  and  is  seven  miles 
north  and  south  and  six   miles   east  and  west;  is  over  half  prairie, 
which  is  about  all  in  cultivation  and  the  timber  is  mostly  fenced.    The 
land  lies  well  and  is  being  better  improved  every  year.     There  area 
few  very  nice  farms  in  the  township,  but  no  railroad,  and  no  jiost- 
otiice  in  the  township  at  present.     They  had  a  population,  in    1880, 
of  1,114;  voted  124  Democratic  and  113  Republican:  had   personal 
property  amounting  to  $3'.>,G07;  real  estate,  $1(17,778— total  $207,385. 
The  Woods  and  Small  woods  were  principally  the  first  settlers  of 
the  township,  and  from  them  it  got  its  name.      William  Tate,  who  is 
eio-hty-six  years  old,  is  the   oldest  person   in  the  township:    Martin 
Grouse  is  almost  eighty-five.     They  are  well   sui)plied  with  school 
and  church  houses,  and  arc  c.\|)ectings()()u  to  get  one  or  two  railroads 
through  the  township. 

"South  Muddy  Towusliip  is  west  of  Smallwood  and  in  (he 
southwest  corner  of  the  county,  is  seven  miles  north  and  south  by 
fi\^e  miles  east  and  west,  and  is  mostly  timber,  and  i>  al)out  Iwo- 
thirds  in  cultivation,  with  a  few  very  large  and  nice  farms.  'I  ho 
larirest  farmer  is  probably  George  Obert.     'IMiey    ha\ c  not    at    \n-QS- 


HIsToin     or    lASPKIi   COINTV.  413 

<'Mt  any  stores,  towns,  [xist-otKccs  or  railroads  in  the  township,  1)iit  will 
l)rol)ably  luivo  one,  if  not  two  railroads  tliroug-li  it.  Thoy  had  in  1880. 
a  i)o[)ulation  of  1,003;  voted  Democratio,  i>7,  Republican  82,  and 
Greenback,  12:  had  personal  i)roperty  valued  at  $2(!,0()0;  real  estate, 
$118,5.")!! — total,  $144,{)1!>.  The  first  sottlci-s,  as  near  as  can  now  bo 
told,  were  as  follows:  Jacob  Wit/ernian  and  Ira  Adamson,  in  18311. 
The  foil owini;'  parties  settled  in  the  township  from  1840  to  1844: 
John  Fields, Georije  Dowthet,  Archil)al(l  Kerl,  Joshua  Evans,  J.  Bates, 
John  and  Howard  Chestnut,  W.  H.  Lewis;  and  two  of  ]Mr.  Lewis' 
broth(>rs.  who  were  afterward  accused  ofdoalinir  too  much  in  hoi-ses 
by  moon-shine,  and  they  left  their  country  for  their  country's  good." 

I'l  J?I,I('    lU  ILDINGS. 

Court  House- — The  position  of  the  first  Board  of  County  Commis- 
sioners was  not  an  enviable  one.     The  whole  machinery  of  county 
"•ovornment  was  to  be  orij-anized  and  set  in  motion,  and  there  w^as  but 
very  little  money  with  which  to  accomplish  it.     The  Court  and  Com- 
missioners found  their  first  accommodations  at  the  house  of  L.  W. 
Jordan,  while  the  various  officials  kept  their  records  at  their  homes, 
riiis  was  not  for  a  great  time,  however.     By  the  latter  jKirt  of  the 
year,  a  log  buihhng  erected  at  a  small  cost  stood  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Washington  and  Jackson  streets,  and  was  called  by  com- 
mon consent  the  court  house.     The  first  mention  of  this  ])uilding  is 
found  in  the  records  imderthe  date  of  ]\ larch,  1835,  and  besides  this 
record  no  mention  is  made  of  it.     In  December,  183!>,  the  proji-ct  of 
building  a  new  court  house  was  broached,  and  at  this  session  the 
board  decided  upon  the  plan  of  the  new  edifice.     It  Avas  to  be  of  brick 
forty  feet  scpiare  and  two  stories  high;  the-  walls  of  the  first  story  to 
be  ten  feet  high  and  thirteen  inches  thick,  and  of  the  second  story 
eight  feet  high  and  nine  inches  thick.     It  was  to  contjiinfive  rooms, 
two  below  fifteen  feet  square,  '"a  hall  between  at  the  entrance  of  the 
door,"    and  "two  rooms  above,  and    the  hall    before    mentioned." 
, Above  this  was  the  attic,  making  the  five  rooms.     The  specification 
also  recpiired  twenty-three  windows  of  tw' enty-foiu'  lights  each;  win- 
dow, door  frames  and  shingles  to  be  made  of  black  walnut.     A  ''bal- 
cony" was  also  to  bo  constructed  on  the  top  of  the  building,  seven 
feet  high  and  five  feet  S(|uare.  and  covered  b}"  a  square  roof     The  con- 
tract for  this  structure  was,  in  the  following  March,  given  to  Benjamin 
Harris,  for  $2,875.     In  the  following  September,  a  disagreement  arose 
between  the  contractor  and  board,  and  the  plan  was  modified.     The 
size  was  changed  to  thirty-two  by  forty  feet;  the  dimensions  of  the 
"Walls  of  the  first  story  were  changed  to  thirteen  feet  high  and  eight- 


414  IIISTOIIV    OF    .1  ASl'KK    COUNTY. 

eon  inchos  thit-k,  and  the  second  story  thirteen  inches  thick.  The 
attic  was  to  be  liirhte;]  by  a  Uirirc  half  circle  window  and  the  struct- 
ure to  front  to  tlie  north.  Under  this  chansfe  the  buildinir  was 
pushed  forward  and  accepted  i)i  a  partially  completed  condition,  in 
November,  1H41.  It  ajipears  that  there  was  a  lack  of  funds,  and  for 
nearly  a  year  it  was  without  windows  or  furniture.  In  the  follow- 
ini2:  ^larch,  the  records  o^ive  evidence  that  the  buildini>:  was  suti'erinir 
from  the  stress  of  the  w^eatlier  and  in  a  decayed  condition.  An  etibrt 
was  made  to  have  it  painted  I)ut  there  was  no  money.  Recourse  was 
had  to  the  school  fund,  and  an  attempt  was  made  to  realize  S2()0  by 
the  sale  of  school  lands,  but  this  proved  abortive.  In  June,  1843, 
the  records  recite  the  same  condition  of  alfairs,  and  it  was  not  until 
a  year  later  that  the  buildiniif  was  completely  enclosed.  At  this  time 
it  was  decided  to  cover  twenty-seven  feet  of  the  lower  room  Moors 
Avith  stone.  Durinc:  1844,  shutters  were  added,  and  vet  the  buildino; 
was  far  from  complete.  In  the  records  of  June,  1847,  sundry  citi- 
zens petition  the  board  to  allow  them  to  contri1)ute  money  enough 
and  bring  the  bonds  of  the  county  sufficient  to  complete  the  court 
house  up  to  par.  The  cost  of  this  work  was  computed  at  $300,  and 
the  value  of  the  l)onds  at  fifty  per  cent.  This  left  $150  to  be  raised 
by  contributions,  but  this  was  not  raised,  as  the  Legislature  in  Feb- 
ruary, of  this  year,  authorized  the  count}'  to  raise  the  money  by  l)or- 
rowing,  and  a  contract  was  let  for  $590  to  put  the  l)uilding  in  com- 
plete repair.  A  fence  was  added  at  a  cost  of  $(50.  Even  then,  the  build- 
ing seems  to  have  been  in  a  chronic  state  of  decav,  and  scarcely  a  ses- 
sion  passed  without  some  appropriation  for  its  repair.  At  the  ]\Iarch 
session  of  18l)6,  $400  were  appropriated  for  this  purpose.  With  con- 
siderable expenditure  for  minor  repairs,  the  building  lasted  until 
187(5,  when  the  old  building  was  decided  to  be  unsafe  for  further  use, 
and  a  committee  appointed  to  insi)ect  the  new  court  house  at  Olney, 
and  similar  l)uildings  elsewhere,  and  ascertain  the  cost  of  erecting  a 
new  one  at  Newton.  The  one  at  Olney  became  the  model,  and  bids 
were  invited  for  the  construction  of  a  similar  one  here. 

In  September,  187(),  bids  w^ere  examined,  presented  by  John  liar- 
low,  of  Olney,  for  $32,000,  to  which  wt>re  to  be  added  for  four  fur- 
naces, $8r)0;  for  fin-nituro  and  seats,  as  Olney,  $2,800,  and  for  gi-:id- 
ing  and  paving,  $800,  making  a  total  of  $37,1)50.  W.  E.  Gray,  of 
Alton,  111.,  bid  $32,0(1 1;  Casper  Xolte,  $3(),7I)(;.2II;  G.  Gaddis,  $211,500; 
J.  1.  Lagrange  and  Charles  Eppinghowser,  $32,000.  The  latter  sul)- 
mitted  drawings  of  the  present  superstructure,  and  called  atten- 
tion to  their  bid  by  some  explanatory  notes,  "stating  distinctly  that 


HISTORY    OF   JASI'KK    COUNTY.  415 

the  buiMin2:,  as  proposed,  contains  the  tbUowino-  advantages  over  and 
above  the  Olney  eonrt  house,  to  wit:  I.  A  solid  stone  foundation. 
II.  Stone  jiunbs  and  extra  stone  strino-  corners  aroimd  the  entire 
buihlinij-.  111.  Firephices  in  chief  apartments,  heav}^  corner  piers 
whicli  contain  vcntihitinij-  flues.  IV.  Four  hiriic  windows  in  second 
story  hall.  A\  The  tower  is  framed  clear  down  to  ceiling  joists 
of  roof  \'I.  The  dome  is  covered  with  tin  and  galvanized  iron 
Avork,  such  as  cornice  brackets,  columns,  panels,  etc.  VII.  The  dome 
is  crowned  with  a  life-size  statue  of  Liberty  cast  in  spelter  metal, 
which  never  rusts  nor  corrodes.  Vlll.  The  cornice  on  gable  is  orna- 
mented with  galvanized  iron  panels.  IX.  The  gable  is  provided  with 
such  scroll  work  to  ventilate  under  the  roof  and  ornament  the  irables. 
X.  The  slate  roof  is  of  the  ornamental  French  slate  in  different  col- 
ored slates  and  patterns.  XI.  'fhe  front  porch  is  provided  with  a 
floor  of  stone  along  the  entire  front  of  building."  Without  these 
"extras  "  the  bid  was  reduced  to  $28,000. 

After  some  minor  changes,  the  contract  was  awarded  to  the 
firm  of  Lagrange  &  Eppinghowser,  for  $;}4,1()5,  which  was  to  be  paid 
iu  county  bonds,  the  county  authorities  to  attbrd  them  every  facility 
to  a  successful  negotiation  of  them.  In  the  following  April,  how- 
ever, the  board  agreed  to  pay  the  contractors  cash,  the  latter  dis- 
counting their  price  $1,0U0.  The  county  thereupon  issued  some 
$1(),000  in  bonds,  which  they  sold  to  James  Mason,  the  highest  bid- 
der. In  jNIay,  187<S,  the  building  was  finished  and  accepted,  and  is  a 
structure  of  Avhicli  the  county  may  well  be  proud.  There  are  six 
large,  conunodious  offices  on  the  first,  with  a  good  sized  court 
room  and  six  large  rooms  on  the  second  floor.  The  whole  structure, 
while  ornamental  as  well  as  substantial,  is  conveniently  arranged 
and  excellently  adapted  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  designed. 
In  repairing  the  dome  to  stop  certain  leakages,  the  anchorage  was 
weakened,  and  in  1880,  the  dome  was  considered  in  dauirer  of  blow- 
iug  down  in  the  event  of  a  high  wind.  This  damage  was  repaired 
by  some  rather  crude  bracing,  which  detracts  from  the  ornamental 
character  of  the  dome,  and  gives  it  the  appearance  of  a  partially 
com[)leted  work.  With  this  exception,  the  building  is  in  good 
repair,  and  apparently  but  at  the  beginning  of  a  long  period  of  use- 
fulness. 

Tilt' Jail. — The  community  first  gathered  in  the  county  was  such 
as  to  need  the  salutory  restraint  of  a  place  of  confinement,  and  one  of 
the  first  i)ul)lic  buildings  was  a  jail.  Like  the  court  Iiouse,thc  first  struct- 
ure erected  for  the  detention  of  criminals  was  a  rude  affair  constructed 


41()  HISTOItY    or   JASI'KII    COUNTY. 

of  logs  by  L,  W.  and  fhimes  Jordan,  for  which  the  county  paid  $370. 
This  buikling  .stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  pul)lic  S([uare,  and  con- 
sisted of  a  stout  log  pen,  with  uo  openings  in  the  side^  save  such  as 
were  needed  for  air.  Access  was  gained  by  means  of  a  trap-door  on 
the  to[),  which  was  reached  by  means  of  a  ladder.  At  a  later  date, 
it  is  said,  this  door  was  held  closed  by  sundry  logs  piled  upon  it  to 
resist  the  attempts  of  those  confined  in  the  cell  to  gain  their  free- 
dom. The  prisoner  was  tiiken  to  the  top  and  lowered  by  a  roi)e,  or 
otherwise,  to  the  cell,  and  for  some  years  this  contrivance  answered 
the  ])uri)oses  of  a  jail  very  satisfactorily.  The  building  was  finished 
in  the  early  summer  of  l.s;>r),and  served  without  considerable  rc^pairs 
until  1839,  when  itw^as  weather  boarded  and  banked  about  with  dirt 
to  the  width  of  eight  feet.  In  1851,  this  building  was  reported  by 
the  grand  jury  as  insecure.  The  floor  timbers  were  found  to  be  rot- 
ten, and  the  wdiole  structure  sadly  out  of  repair.  It  was,  therefore, 
decided  to  repair  it  with  heavy  two-inch  planks  and  otherwise,  at  a 
cost  of  $22. 

In  1856,  this  topic  again  became  prominent,  and  the  Board,  ris- 
ing to  the  demand  of  the  occasion,  record  the  foUowino-  hioli  sound- 
ing  promavjiamien/o:  "  Whereas,  it  appears  that  the  present  jail,  in 
the  town  of  Xewton,  is  in  a  very  dilapidated  state,  and  unfit  for  the 
indwelling  or  abode  of  prisoners  who  may  be  arrested  for  the  perpe- 
tration of  crimes,  etc.;  and  in  order  that  a  sufiicient  dcjjository  be 
provided,"  etc.,  the  Board  "thought  proper  to  build  a  superstructure 
of  the  following  description,  to-wit:  To  be  built  of  stone,  two  stories 
high,  the  first  story  to  be  eight  feet  between  floors,  the  second 
story  to  be  seven  feet  between  floors;  the  first  story  to  be  ofj 
large  hewed  stones,  well  fitted  together  with  good  lime  mor- 
tar; to  be  set  into  the  ofround  accordino-  to  the  direction  of  the  com- 
mittee  hereinafter  appointed  for  that  purpose;  the  wall  to  be  two! 
feet  thick,  with  sufficient  iron  grates  for  light  and  ventilation;  the 
wall  of  the  second  story  to  be  one  foot  and  six  inches  thick,  also 
built  of  good  dressed  stone  and  mortar  as  before  stated;  the  under 
floor  to  be  made  of  stone,  one  foot  thick,  solid  stone;  the  second 
floor  of  hewed  timber,  ten  inches  thick,  and  not  to  be  less  than  ten 
nor  more  than  fifteen  inches  in  width;  to  be  of  good  sound  white  or 
burr  oak  or  walnut;  the  roof  to  be  raftered  with  good  durable  tim- 
ber, and  covered  witii  black  walnut  shingles,  of  sufiicient  thickness 
to  make  a  light  strong  roof;  the  third  floor  to  be  laid  of  two  inch 
oak  boards,  W(dl  dres.sed,  not  to  exceed  seven  inches  in  width;  the 
door  to  be  made  of  good  durable  timber,  sufficiently  strapped  with 


iiisTonY  OF  .1  \si>i:i;  county.  417 

iron,  with  a  surtioioiit  lock  and  key  to  Ik'  niadi'  by  a  skillful  work- 
man; a  trap  door  to  be  madi'  in  the  center  of  the  second  floor,  to  be 
made  in  like  manner." 

This  structure,  which  embodied  the  [)rinciples  of  the  first  jail, 
was  1(5x20  feet  in  size,  and  was  located  on  Jackson  Street,  north  of 
the  public  scjuare.  There  was  frecpient  use  for  it,  and  the  lock, 
which  it  was  stipulated  should  be  made  "■  l)y  a  skillful  workman," 
proved  recreant  to  its  trust  on  its  first  trial.  A  stave  had  been  care- 
lessly left  in  the  ui)i)er  room,|and  with  this  the  prisoner  shot  ])ack  the 
bolt  and  dcdiberately  walked  up  town.  From  this  time  until  l.S")8, 
the  •vStone  Jail"  was  used  as  a  '^depository  for  prisoners  who  were 
arrested  for  the  i)erpetration  of  crimes,"  etc.,  with  varyinii" assurance 
of  findinii:  them  when  retiuired.  In  June  of  this  vear,  however,  the 
grand  jury  found  the  upper  room  unfit  for  the  purpose,  and  filthy; 
the  lower  room,  it  was  reported,  would  keep  prisoners  if  W(dl  ouarded 
by  officers,  })rovided  the  occupants  had  no  friends  outside;  otherwise 
the  stron<>liold  and  otHcers  were  of  no  avail.  Upon  the  return  of 
this  rei)ort,  the  County  Court  forthwith  ordered  the  buildin"-  sold  so 
as* to  bring"  the  lars^est  possible  returns  to  the  county.  O'Kcan  was 
appointed  to  consummate  this  sale,  but  he  reported  at  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  court  that  it  could  not  be  [)rofitably  disposed  of,  when 
the  court  ordered  the  structure  patched  up  with  planks.  So,  until 
January,  1.S72,  the  stone  jail  represented  the  retribution  power  of  the 
count3\  At  this  date  a  new  jail  was  projected,  a  plan  agreed  upon, 
and  the  contract  let  to  John  J.  Rider  and  Charles  Guthrick.  The 
present  brick  structure  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  pul)lic 
square  is  the  result  of  this  action.  It  is  45x28  feet,  with 
jailor's  ai)artments  below  and  four  iron  cells  above.  The  orig- 
inal cells  were  constructed  with  a  (piarter  inch  boiler  iron  top  and 
bottom.  These  and  the  building,  with  eight  iron  bed-steads,  a  furnace 
in  the  cellar,  etc.,  were  contracted  for  at  a  cost  of  $9,500,  and  the 
whole  structure  accepted  in  May,  1873.  The  cells  were  subsequently 
found  defective,  and  in  1882  two  iron  cells  and  a  corridor  were;  con- 
structed by  r.  J.  Pauley  &  Bro.,  of  S;iint  Louis,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 
The  work  was  accepted  December  22,  1 8rS2. 

The  i)re>-,ent  jail  cannot  be  said  to  bi'  wi'll  plactul  or  to  be  in 
keeping  with  the  enterprise  and  taste  displayed  in  the  construction 
of  the  court  house.  The  jailor's  quarters  are  hardly  less  confined 
than  those  of  the  prisoners,  and  are  so  i)laced  in  front  of  the  whole 
town  as  to  afford  no  retirement  to  its  inmates  whatever.  The 
prison  part  is  up  to  the  latest  improvements  in   its  furniture  and 


418  HISTORY    OF   JASPKi;    (orM'k. 

arraiiirement,    l)iit    lacks   in   capacity,  one  would  think,  "svhcn  it  is 
considered  that  the  municipal  authorities  have  the  use  of  the  cells. 

County  Cliarities. — The  care  of  the  pauper  population  is  a  sub- 
ject that  taxes  the  best  stiitesmanship  to  the  utmost,  and  the  achnin- 
istration  of  county  l)oards  is  not  always  shown  in  a  favorable  light 
by  the  treatment  of  this  subject.  To  relieve  the  worthy  poor  in  such 
a  way  as  to  add  no  disgrace  therewith,  and  to  avoid  giving  encour- 
agement to  indolent  indigence,  is  not  an  easy  matter  to  put  in 
practice  by  means  of  ])ubHc  charities  even  when  su])porte(l  by  large 
endowments  and  guided  \)\  wealthy  philanthropists.  In  Jasper 
County  the  poor  have  been  farmed  out  from  the  beginning.  \\'hile 
this  system  is  open  to  many  serious  objections,  it  does  not  seem  to 
have  resulted  poorly  here.  At  first,  persons  supported  at  public 
expense  were  contracted  to  the  lowest  bidder,. and  the  advertised 
"sale  of  paupers*'  was  calculated  at  first  glance  to  startle  the  uniniti- 
ated. The  care  of  the  poor  in  this  way  fell  to  various  persons  more 
or  less  interested  in  their  welfare,  but  as  the  pauper  class  increased 
in  num])ers,  and  manj'^who  had  no  relatives  in  this  part  of  the  world 
were  added,  their  sup])ort  l»ecame  more  entirely  a'matter  oi  profit  and 
loss.  Thus  it  occurred  later,  that  someone  with  extra  facilities  for 
the  purpose,  contracted  to  care  for  the  whole  pau])er  charge  of  the 
county.  The  conditions  of  the  contract  requinnl  the  contractor  '-to 
receive  all  paupers  of  the  county,  as  well  as  all  insane  or  idiotic  pau- 
pers not  otherwise  provided  for  by  the  county,"  and  "  to  provide 
a  secure  and  separate  room-for  such  idiots  and  insane  i)aupers  as  he 
may  at  any  time  have  on  hand;  also  all  foreign  or  transient  paupeis, 
idiots  and  insane  persons  that  may  require  assistance  from  the  county 
when  notified  by  any  one  or  more  of  the  supervisoi"s  of  said  county, 
and  said  contractor  shall  be  responsible  to  the  ])oar(l  of  said  county 
for  all  charges  that  may  accrue  after  he  shall  ha\e  been  notified. 
until  he  takes  them  under  his  care;  also  for  the  burial  expenses  of 
all  ])aupers,  idiots  and  insane  persons  who  may  die  in  the  county, 
when  notified,  provided  he  may  be  so  notified  before  said  pauper  or 
insane  person  or  persons  die.'"  The  contractor  was  further  obliged 
to  provide  "comfortable  and  decent  clothing,"  "good  and  proper 
medical  attendance,"  and  to  bury  such  as  died  in  a  "resi)ectable 
manner."  Foi-  all  this  the  contractor  received  two  dollars  and 
a  half  iwr  iveek  for  each  pauper. 

It  can  hardly  be  said  that  the  results  achieved  were  worthy  of 
high  praise.  One  contractor  constructed  buildings  which  satisfied 
the  demands  of  the  official  interpretations  of  "comfort  and  decency," 


HISTOUV    OF   JASPER    COUNTY-  41JI 

jiiul  .SO  1h^  inoiiopolizod  the  business  ot"  cariiiii'  t<)i"  tlie  i)0()r  for  :i  luini- 
ber  of  yeiirs.  In  September,  l.s^;(),  a  farm  of  l(!()aeres  was  purchased 
ata  cost  of  $2.0(K).  Upon  this  property  suitable  but  cheap  buihlinofs 
have  been  erected,  and  the  method  is  to  i^ive  the  contractor  the  use 
of  the  farm  and  pay  a  [)rice  per  week  for  each  [)auper  varying  from 
$1.G0  some  years,  to  >;2  at  other  times.  In  addition  to  this,  .some  help 
is  rendered  families  who  are  temponirily  i:i  need,  and  the  service  of 
ii  physician  is  contracted  for  all  within  an  area  of  .sixteen  .square 
mih^s  about  the  county-seat,  at  a  gro.ss  sum  for  the  whole. 

COURTS  ANJ)  CRIME. 

The  first  term  of  court  was  held  at  Xewton,  on  March  30,  183.') 
Justin  Harlan  presiding  as  Judge,  and  O.  15.  Ficklin  attending  as 
State's  .Vttorney.  Lewis  Jordan  presented  his  bond  as  Sherill",  and 
the  court  appointed  John  Barnes  to  the  oflice  of  Clerk  of  the  Court, 
to  hold  the  same  during  his  good  behavior.  The  compo.sition  of  the 
first  juries  is  noted  in  the  preceding  pages.  It  is  said  that  the  grand 
jurv  held  their  session  under  a  tree  in  the  vicinity  of  Jordan's  house, 
when  the  court  convened.  Their  session  was  of  short  duration,  how- 
ever, as  the  record  concludes  as  follows:  "This  day  the  grand  jury 
came  into  court,  and  having  had  no  business  and  not  having  a  pros- 
pect of  any,  were  discharged."  At  the  October  term  Judge  Alex- 
ander F.  Grant  presided.  At  this  term  indictments  for  "fornicii- 
tion''  Avere  returned  against  John  Indow  and  Trapheny  May,  and  an 
appeal  case,  Lorenzo  I).  Skidmore  against  John  Harmon,  was  decided 
by  judgment  for  the  })laintifi',  for  $3.87.  The  first  chancery  business 
api)ears  in  the  records  under  date  of  183(1,  in  an  action  by  Lott  Watts, 
administrator  of  F.  Claycomb  ao-ainst  heii*s  of  F.  Clavcomb,  deceased, 
to  sell  lands,  etc.  The  case  against  Imlow  was  brought  to  trial  and 
the  defendant  found  guilty,  though  the  case  of  Trapheny  INIay  was 
continued  on  the  i)resentation  of  a  demiu'rer,  and  was  eventually 
never  brought  to  trial.  This  one-sided  justice  ma}'  j)crhn[)s  be 
explained  upon  the  fact  stated  by  Judge  Ficklin,  that  the  petit  jury 
wascomposed  of  many  of  the  indicting  grand  jury,  who,  for  the  sake  of 
consistency,  brought  in  a  ])rompt  verdict.  The  criminal  docket  for  a 
number  of  years  rather  exceeded  the  civil  calender  in  the  number  of 
cases.  Among  the  earlier  i)resentments  are  noted  indictments 
for  "rioting,"  "altering  marks  on  hogs,."  "trespass,"  "larceny," 
"assault  with  intent  to  murdisr,"  "recognizance  to  keep  the  i)eace," 
"trespass,  m  et  armts"  "assault  with  deadly  weapons,"  "open 
lewdness,"  " riot,"  etc.     The  crimes  charged  appear  in  the  records 


420  HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY. 

in  the  above  order.  ])iit  too  often  with  a  scandalous  frequency  of 
repetition  of  "  assault  and  indecency."  If  the  dockets  of  the  local 
niasrist rates  could  be  read,  this  record  would  be  lenofthened  and  its 
characteristics  intensified. 

The  iiencral  testimony  of  records  and  tradition  is  that  Newton 
bore  the  reputation  of  a  community  borderino-  on  outlawry.  It 
is  even  suir.Sfestcd  that  some  of  the  most  violent  iiere  in  an  early  day 
were  some  who  had  left  their  early  homes  in  Kentuck}'  to  avoid  the 
consequences  of  their  vioh'ut  conduct.  At  all  events,  the  society  of 
Newton  from  1S35  to  l.s4()  was  a  successful  organization  ai^ainst  the 
encroachments  of  civilization.  A])out  the  latter  date  some  few  rep- 
resentatives of  muscular  Christianity  came  into  the  county,  and  a 
contest  between  the  two  sot'ial  systems  at  once  sprang  up.  Between 
these  oi)posing  forces  the  courts  stood  the  legal,  but  too  often  the 
ineffectual  arbiter.  The  juries  were  too  much  in  sympathy  with  the 
lawless  majority  to  bring  in  a  just  verdict,  and  the  courts  strongly 
imbued  with  the  free  and  easy  spirit  of  tlu;  frontier  did  little  to 
impress  the  i)eople  with  the  majesty  of  law.  Out  of  court  the 
judges  mingled  with  lawyers  and  jury  and  vied  with  the  most  expert 
liar  in  telling  stories  of  frontier  exploits.  Judge  Harlan,  who  pre- 
sided over  this  circuit  for  several  years,  was  res])ected  as  an  uin-ight 
judge  and  sound  lawyer,  but  his  stories,  though  told  with  all  the 
gravity  and  earnestness  of  legal  decision,  were  accepted  with  many 
grains  of  allowance.  In  court,  the  early  judges  frequently  assumed 
powers  that  were  extra-judicial  to  say  the  least,  but  were  generally 
maintained  by  the  gravity  with  which  they  imposed  their  dictum 
upon  the  less  distinguished  bar.  It  is  related,  on  one  occasion  a 
lawyer  was  citino-  a  recent  act  of  the  leufislature  in  regard  to  some 
feature  of  the  case  in  hand.  Judge  ILirlan  listcncnl  to  the  citation, 
and  with  an  exclamation  of  disgust,  said:  ••  The  legislature  cannot 
be  fool  enough  to  pass  such  an  act  as  that,"  and  forthwith  overruled 
it,  to  the  no  little  chagrin  and  dismay  of  the  attorney.  It  is  said 
that  the  legislature  concurred  in  the  ffood  sense  of  Judize  Harlan,  and 
repealed  the  act  at  the  next  session.  Judge  Wilson  succeeded 
Harlan  on  this  circuit. 

He  is  represented  as  a  great  stickler  for  the  resjject  due  to  the 
court  and  to  himself  as  Judge.  It  is  related  on  one  occasion,  while 
the  whole  Court  and  Bar  was  in  i)rocession,  moving  from  one  appoint- 
ment to  another,  a  lawyer,  possessed  of  a  spirited  span  of  horses,  tired 
of  the  slow  jogaing  pace  with  which  Wilson  lead  the  way.  turned 
out  and  soon    let    the  dust   of  his  team    llv  in   the   ••  C'^iu't 's"  eyes. 


IIISTOUY    OF   .lASl'EK    COUNTY.  421 

A  few  miles  beyond  a  town  was  reachoil  and  diiuicr  served.  Here 
the  Jiuluo  took  occasion  to  administer  a  rchnke  to  the  presnmi)tnous 
attorney,  and  lecture  him  upon  the  respect  due  the  court.  He  could 
fori^et  this  diiiiiified  boaring,  however,  when  (xicasion  offered.  One 
day  in  Court  at  Newton,  it  is  said,  the  lie  was  oiven  by  some  of  the 
contestants  in  a  case.  All  was  uproar  in  ;i  niouK^nt,  but  above  the 
dip  Wilson  could  be  heard  shouting:  "  Mr.  Sherift;  the  d— d  lie  has 
been  given  !  adjoiu-n  the  Court  I  adjourn  the;  ('ourt  I "  and  the  fight 
proceeded. 

It  is  ditiicult  to  believe  the  ttilesof  lawlessness  that  are  related 
of  the  early  days  of  Newton,  but  some  are  so  well  authenticated  that 
it  is  impossible  to  refuse  them  credence.  Al)out  1840-4."),  a  case  was 
brouf^-ht  before  the  local  nuigistrate,  where  t\w  defendant  was  \h\v- 
uiitted  to  carry  his  shot  gun  into  the  court  room  to  guard  an  attempt 
upon  his  life.  The  gun  was  well  loaded  and  placed  in  a  corner  of 
the  room,  near  at  hand,  but  becoming  interested  in  the  case  and 
while  giving  evidence,  the  other  parties  to  the  case  quietly  seized 
the  gun  and  were  about  to  shoot  its  owner  wdien  bystanders  interfered, 
and  the  load  was  discharged  in  the  ceiling.  These  offenders  were 
John  and  Samuel  PuUice,  noted  for  their  reckless  exploits.  It 
reijuired  several  men  to  overpower  them  and  commit  them  to  the 
jail.  Subse{piently,  these  men  were  releastid,  when  they  at  once  set 
about  carrying  into  effect  the  threat  which  they  h;id  made  to  kill  the 
persons  instrumental  in  thwarting  their  vengeance  in  the  court 
room.  Fortunately  their  victims  "got  the  drop  on  them,"  and 
the  awkwardness  of  the  position  was  relieved  by  the  retreat  of  the 
avenjrers.  A  messaoe  was  sent  them,  however,  that  night,  that  if 
they  did  not  decamp  they  would  both  be  waylaid  and  killed  before 
the  end  of  another  day.  They  left  for  the  time,  and  one  by  one  the 
terrorists  of  the  day  were  driven  out,  or  (;on([uered  by  the  only 
means  which  they  feared  or  employed  against  others. 

The  more  violent  forms  of  lawlessness  ceased  Avith  the  death  or 
removal  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  ruffianly  cabal  that  early  held 
sway,  but  all  forms  of  larceny,  from  a  petty  theft  to  the  stealing  of 
horses,  and  even  houses,  were  unfortunately  common  up  to  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war.  An  unique  case  of  theft  was  the  stealing  of  a 
brick  house,  which  occurred  al)out  this  time.  Bricks  were  very  high 
in  price  and  scarce  in  the  county  at  that  time,  and  unprotected  prop- 
erty ofi'ered  a  temptation  that  the  average  morals  of  the  people  could 
not  resist.  A  new  1)rick  dwelling  had  been  erected  by  a  Mr.  Wood, 
who  resided  in  Indiana.     On  conqdeting  his  house,  ]Mr.  Wood  went 


422  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTi  . 

to  l)rin<r  his  family  here,  Init  in  the  meanwhile  his  wife  died,  and  he 
was  forced  to  modify  his  phms.  His  property  was  left  in  the  care  of 
Mr.  T.  J.  Martin,  who  was  astonished  to  soon  learn  that  the  whole 
ond  of  the  house  had  been  stolen.  Before  spring  every  vestige  of 
the  honse  from  chimney  top  to  fonndation  stone  was  stolen,  the 
material  finding  its  way  into  various  structures,  a  part  finding  its  way, 
innocently,  into  the  chimney  of  a  church.  This  was  done  Avithin 
four  miles  of  the  county-seat,  and  strange  to  say,  neither  the  owner 
or  agent  was  able  to  discover  the  despoilers  of  the  property.  Simi- 
lar outrages  were  perpetrated  wherever  a  house  was  temi)orarily 
abandoned,  the  chimneys  of  a  house,  almost  within  the  limits  of  the 
village,  being  stolen. 

COUNTY  OFFICIALS. 

The  general  afftiirs  of  the  county  were  administered  at  first  by 
three  Commissioners,  elected  for  the  term  of  one  year.  In  1838,  this 
was  changed  by  the  election  of  three  to  serve  for  one,  two  and  three 
years,  respectively,  the  term  of  each  one  to  be  decided  by  lot.  There- 
after the  term  was  to  be  three  years,  and  bnt  one  member  of  the 
Board  to  be  elected  <Mich  year.  The  first  election  in  January,  18,3,5, 
resulted  in  the  selection  of  Hichards,  Mattingly  and  Claycomb.  The 
regular  election  occurred  in  the  following  August,  Avhen  Richards, 
Mattingly  and  Wade  were  returned.  The  Commissioners  of  the 
county  therefore  have  been  as  follows:  1)S3,5 — William  M.  Richards, 
George  Mattingly,  F.  W^.  H.  Claycomb,  L.  D.  Wade;  183(3 — Thomas 
Garwood,  Benjamin  Lamb,  Jesse  M.  Heard;  1.S37 — Michael  Grove, 
Lamb  and  Heard;  1838 — Richards  (for  tAVo  years),  Grove  (for  one 
year),  Robert  Ross  (for  three  years);  1839 — John  I.  Pullis;  1840 — 
Stephaiius  Hunt ;  1841 — William  H.Stephens;  1842 — Samuel  Gar- 
wood; 1843 — John  Roberts;  1844 — Felix  Brownficld;  184') — John 
Bussell;  184(5 — Richard  Vanderhoof;  184(5,  William  Hunt  was  elected 
to  fill  vacancy  caused  b}'  the  resignation  of  Brownficld;  1847 — 
Christian  AV.  Sharrick;  December,  1847,  John  Roberts  was  elected  to 
succeed  Bussell,  who  resisfued;  1848 — Michael  Grove. 

April  13,  1849,  the  Act  of  the  Legislature,  establishing  a  County 
Court  in  each  county,  passed  February  12,  1849,  went  into  efiect. 
By  this  act  the  regidar  election  was  put  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  first 
Monday  in  Noveml)er.  This  court  consisted  of  a  Judge  and  two  As- 
sociates, who  held  theii- offices  four  years.  This  court  was  "  vested 
with  all  the  jjowers  and  jurisdictions  of  the  Probate  Court,  as  now 
(then)  estal)lish(Ml  1>y  law.  and  ai)pealsmay  be  taken  from  and  writs 


IIISTOUY    OF   JASl'Ell    COUNTY.  423 

of  cerfiorari pro^ccnicA  upon  its  jiKlirnuMits,rcn<loied  under  the  pow- 
ers fonfoiTcd  in  this  act,  in  thi'  manner  [jrescribod  by  law,  in  case 
ot'  similar  judaMuents  render  by  the  l*rol)ate  Court.  The  County 
Court  shall  have  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  the  Circuit  Court  in 
hearinir  and  detorniininir  all  ap[)lications  for  the  sale  of  real  estate  of 
deceased  persons,  for  the  [)aynients  of  debts  of  said  decedents,  and 
may  make  all  orders  and  render  all  judi^monts  on  such  applications 
that  the  Circuit  Court  might  or  could  nuike,  or  render  in  similar 
cases.  And  the  orders  and  judgments  of  said  court  shall  have  the 
same  force,  [lower,  and  ert'ect  as  the  orders  and  judgments  of  the 
Circuit  Court  in  like  cases;  and  final  process  may  issue  as  from  the 
Circuit  Court. 

"Sec.  14.  The  County  Judge  shall  be  a  conservator  of  the 
peace,  and  shall  have  the  same  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  as  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  this  State;  and  shall  have  the  same  power 
and  authority  to  preserve  order  in  the  court,  and  punish  contempts 
oflered  the  court  while  in  session,  that  the  Circuit  Court  now  pos- 
sesses. 

"Sec  l.j.  The  said  Judge,  Avith  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  des- 
ignated and  provided  for,  shall,  in  all  cases  whatever,  set  as  a  County 
Court;  have,  exercise  and  possess  all  the  power,  jurisdiction  and 
authority  heretofore  conferred  by  law  on  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  of  this  State;  and  shall  sit  for  the  transaction  of  county  bus- 
iness on  the  first  Mondays  of  December,  March,  Jnne,  and  Septem- 
ber, in  every  year,  and  shall  continue  open  until  all  the  ])usiness 
before  them  is  disposed  of,"  etc. 

Under  this  act  the  following  Judges  were  elected,  Novem1)er, 
1«4'J:  William  Bridges,  Judge,  and  James  E.  James,  and  H.  S. 
Stump,  Associates.  In  is.Yd,  A.  K.  Bridges,  who  was  elected  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  William  Bridges,  was  elected 
Judge  for  a  full  term,  with  Benjamin  Leaman  and  William  Hutson, 
as  Associates.  1857 — William  S.  Lee,  Judge;  William  II.  Eidson, 
and  Armstead  AV'ard,  Associates. 

In  iSol),  township  organization  put  an  end  to  the  County  Court, 
and  the  following  Supervisors  have  served  the  various  townships: 
For  Willow  lliil  Township— J.  P.  Madden,  from  18(30  to  18i)l; 
James  Stewart,  18G2;  John  Ilalterman,  1S()3;  S.  B.  Parr,  18(54;  J. 
II.  Brinson,  18(3,");  J,  C.  Ireland,  from  18()(;t()  18(57;  James  Stewart, 
18GS;  Thomas  Xeal,  isijij;  T.  K.  Miller,  1870;  Abram  Ridlcn,  from 
1871  to  1873;  Geor<re  Trowbridge,  from  1873  to  1874;  J.  II.  Brin- 
son,  from  187.")  to  187(5;  J.  C  Ireland,  from   1877   to   1878;  Milton 


424  HISTORY    OF   JASPEi;    COUNTY. 

Siiii.s.  IM'J;  (J.  L.    Whit;u-iv,  1<SJ51);    Samuel    Bowman,  iy81;    C.    L. 
Whitacrc,  18.S2;  G.  M.  Sclby,  1888. 

Smalhvood  Township — Daniel  T.  Hinds,  1800;  Philotus  S.  Need- 
ham.  18t)l  to  1802;  John  Brown,  Sr.,  18(53  to  18()o;  Jesse  Kellum, 
18(;(Uo  18(;7;  .1.  .1.  Sami)son,  18(58;  D.  T.  Hinds,  1869;  Samuel  King, 
1870:  John  W.  Hovey,  Jr.,  1871;  Milton  Monroe,  1872;  Peter  Jack- 
son, 1878;  Lyman  Kandall,  1874  to  1875;  John  Brown,  1870  to  1877; 
A.  A.  Hawkins,  1S7S  to  188!):  John  Breedlove,  1881  to  1882;  Thomas 
J.  Kirk,  1888. 

South  Muddy— William  VV^xxl,  l.sOOto  1.S02;  Walter  Pruett,  1803 
to  180.'):  Eli  Devore,  180:)  to  1807;  Walter  Pruett,  1808;  Hezekiah 
Hastings,  1809;  David  L.  Johnson,  1870;  H.  Hastings,  1871;  Israel 
1.  Whaley,  1872  to  1874;  Robert  G.  Scott,  187.5  to  1870;  George 
Obert,  1877;  J.  W\  L3wis,  1878;  Lyman  Kindall,  1879  to  1880;  W. 
P.  AVaketi(dd,  1881;  J.  H.  Mahoney,  1882  to  1883. 

Grandville  Township — Stephen  Stevens,  1800  to  1802;  Zimri 
Hunt,  181)8;  Israel  Jared,  1804  to  1800;  Henry  Clark,  1807;  Z.  II. 
McCubbins,  1868  to  1872:  Jos.  L^amcm,  1878  to  1870;  C  F.  M. 
Morey,  1877  to  1888. 

Crooked  Creek  Township — Reuben  Carr,  180O;  Michael  Lyda, 
1801;  Uriah  Hunt.  18!;2:  A.  P.  Broadereck,  1808  to  1805;  J.  L. 
Elder,  180(;;  William  McEl wee,  1807;  Jos.  Cummins.  18()8  to  1809; 
Elijah  Moore,  1870:  Jos.  Cummins.  1871;  J.  M.  Melton.  1872  to  1873; 
William  M.  Jones.  IS74:  J.  M.  Melton,  187.');  AVilliam  W.Hays, 
1870;  John  M.  Melton,  IS77;  Jos.  Cummins,  1878  to  188.2;  Thomas 
J.  Warren,  1888. 

Grove  Township — A.  M.  Eagleton,  1S(»0;  James  L.  Crews,  1804; 
resigned  and  on  dune  21.  A.  H.  Strode  was  appointed;  James  L. 
Crews,  l.S(;5  to  1800;  George  Kibler,  1867;  James  L.  Crews,  1868; 
D.  P.  Smith,  1809;  Silas  W.  Wishard,  1870  to  1871;  Jas  L.  Crews, 
1872;  Lewis  Epperson.  1878  to  187.");  James  L.  Crews,  1870  to  1877; 
D.  P.  Smith,  4878;  Noah  D.Myers,  1S7!)  to  1881;  A.  L.  Xewlin, 
18S2:  A.  D.   Kibler.  18,S8. 

North  Muddy— Thomas  Foster,  18()!):  Ogden  Monncdl.  18(J1;  S- 
B.  Smith,"  1S02  to  ISOO:  John  O.  Wheeh'r,  1807  to  18,18;  Adam 
Halem,  l.Si;!i;  W.  H.  Ward,  1.S70  to  1871;  William  G.  Gilson.  1872; 
John  Mason,  187;>  to  lS7ii;  A\'illiam  (lilson,  1877;  J.  W.  Honey, 
1878:  Alexander  Wilson,  1N79  to  1888. 

Wade  Township — John  Brooks,  l.SiJOto  1805;  George  W.  Blair, 
180()  to  1807;  John  Dmnont,  1808  to  1870;  J.  Q-  Webb,  1871;  Ful- 
ler Xigh.  1.S72  to  1.S78:  dohn  Schackuuin,  1874:  S.  R.  Barker.  1875 


iiisToin    oi"  .lAsi'Ki;  ((»i  NTV.  42') 

to  1S78;  John   Duniont,  \s7\)   to    ISSO;  John    II.  Maxwell.    ISSl  to 
1882;  S.  K.  Barker,  IS^;;. 

Saint  Mario  Township— Jos.  Pie<|uet,  1800  to  l.s«J2;  8-  B.  Crow- 
ley, 18(;;5;  Jos.  Pi('<niet,  18(U  to  18(;(j;  James  McVey,  1807;  Jos. 
Pie(|uet,  18(18  to  1871;  Thomas  Gil)son,  1872  to  1.S73;  Jesse  R.  John- 
son,, l'S74;  Thomas  Gibson,  1.S7.")  to  lS7(j:  Daniel  O'Donnell,  1.S77; 
John  J.  Rider.  187.S  to  1880:  Jos.  L.  Ponsot,  1881:  J.  K.  Jaequct, 
1882  to  1883. 

Fox  Townsiiip — Colmore  Harris.  1877;  8.  L.  Dickei-son,  1878; 
Joseph  F.  Compton,  1879  to  1S80:  Anthony  Litzelman,  1881  to  1882; 
J.  L.  Jessup,  18.S3. 

The  other  officials  of  the  county  liave  been  as  follows: 
xS'Af'/v'/^'.s— Lewis  W.  Jordan,  from  l.s;},')  to  1840:  Si.  Barnes 
elected  but  could  not  fill  bond;  the  Coroner,  Jonathan  C.  Connelly, 
.served  to  1841:  James  Bridiros,  to  1S4(;;  W.  J.Arnold,  to  1848; 
Jacob  L.  Waiiiicr.  to  l.s.')0;  Christian  Sharrick,  to  1852;  Jacob  L. 
Waofncr,  to  1S")4:  John  Kern,  to  1<S.')(;:  J.  E.  James,  to  1808;  T.  C. 
Melton,  to  18()0:  William  Sluip,  to  l.S()2:  Fuller  Nigh,  to  18154;  Har- 
vey Love,  elected,  but  died;  John  L.  Elder,  to  18G8;  S.  B.  Crowley, 
to  1872:  James  Cununins,  to  1874:  J.  AV.  Solby,  1879,  then  nin  off; 
Euiicne  Hartrich,  to  18^^0;  William  Trainor  is  the  present  Sheriff. 

Circuit  Chvk — Did  the  business  for  both  County  and  Circuit 
Courts.  First  Clerk,  John  Barnes,  appointed  in  ^188"),  and  in  1838, 
he  ran  off:  Hiram  Wade  was  appointed,  and  held  the  office  until 
1«.")7,  when  the  office  was  divided;  E.  W.  Curtiss  was  elected  County 
Chn-k,  and  held  the  office  until  1<S()9,  when  Robert  Leach  was  elected, 
and  held  the  office  to  1S73,  when  H.  K.  Powell  was  elected,  and  is 
still  County  Clerk.  AVilliam  M.  Jones  was  elected  Circuit  Clork  in 
ls.')7,  and  served  to  18()8,  then  Ogden  Mouell  was  elected,  and  served 
to  1872,  then  W.  G.  Williams  was  elected,  and  is  the  present  Clerk- 
Connti/  Treasfo-evf! — The  County  Commissioner  appointed  Tim- 
othy Garwood  County  Treasurer  in  183"),  and  in  1837  they  a|)pointed 

L.  D.  Wade:    in  March ,  Z.  S.  Freeman    was  appointed,  and   in 

August  the  same  year,  W.  J.  Arnold  was  appointed:  in  March,  1839, 
G.  S.  Freeman  was  api)ointcd:  in  August,  1<S40,  W.  J.  Arnold  was 
elected:  in  1841,  Charles  Guthnick  was  appointed,  and  in  January, 
1M2,  he  resigned,  and  March  ir)th,  M.  O'Kcan  was  ap[)()intcd  and 
elected  until  18r)7,  when  William  M.Jones  was  elected:  in  l'S59, 
Mordecai  Bartley  Avas  elected:  in  18(51,  John  C.  Brocknian  was 
elected:  in  isil.'),  Robert  Leach  was  elected;  in  1869,  S.  R-  Barker; 
1871,  Samuel    Brewer   was  elected,  but   left   the  coimtv,  and  W.  L 


426  IIISTOIJV    OF     lAM'Ki:    COINTV. 

Heath  tilled  out  the  time;  in  187o,  1).  P.  Smith  was  elected;  in  IM."). 
W.  L.  Heath  was  elected,  and  asfain  in  1S77:  in  1871),  D.  P.  Smith 
was  elected,  and  is  the  present  Treasurer. 

Surveyors — There  seemed  to  be  no  regular  Surveyor,  as  the  board, 
it  appears,  appointed  a  special  one  for  special  occasions  until  184:'). 
when  William  Bridires  came  in  and  held  the  otKce  until  18.')1,  when 
Levi  B:irnes  was  elected,  but  resigned,  and  Calvin  Maxwell  tilled  out 
his  tim.'-.  185;5,  A.  \\.  Ball  elected;  18;"):),  John  M.  Love  elected: 
1857,  Robert  Leach  elected,  and  held  the  office  until  18(;3,  Avhcii 
AVilliam  Kilgore  was  elected,  and  held  until  1871,  when  S.  B.  Brown 
was  elected,  and  hold  until  1^7!),  when  ^^'illialn  Kilgore  Avas  agaiii 
elected,  and  is  yet  Surveyor. 

County  Judges— W.  S.  Loe,  Judge,  from  18."»7  until  XXiW,  when 

J.  E.  James  was  elected,  au'l  held  to  1S72,    when   William  Carter 

was  elected,  and  died  in  187(5,  when  R.  B.  Motiitt  was  elected  to  till 

vacancy;  in  1877,  James  W.Gibson  was  elected,  and  (1882)  is  the  pres- 

'  ent  Judo-e. 

/School  Commissioners — 18o8,  Lawrence  IloUenback  appointed: 
September,  1839,  L'wis  W.  Jordan;  1841,  Jordan  removed  and  James 
Bridges  appointed;  February  '),  1842,  M.  OTvean  was  elected,  and 
was  County  Treasurer  at  that  time,  and  in  August,  Samuel  Garwood 
was  elected  School  Commissioners;  in  1843,  M.  O'Kean  came  in 
a<rain;  William  Nish,  elected  November,  18.')7,  and  died  Docemberof 
same  year;  AYinston  Mayo  appointed  January,  18").s,  to  fill  vacancy: 
1851),  I.  H.  Walker,  elected;  18(51,  Joseph  Schirterstein  elected:  18(55, 
I.  n.  Walker  again  elected;  18(39,  P.  S.  McLaughlin ;  1873,  C  S  James: 
1877,  J.  F.  Arnold,  and  appointed  by  the  Supervisors  in  1881,  for 
one  year,  and  re-appointed  for  1882  and  1883. 

Staters  Attorneys— Vv'xov  to  1872,  the  State's  Attorneys  were 
elcL-tcd  for  several  counties,  or  for  a  district;  J.  P.  Ilarrah  elected  in 
1872;  G.  W.  Fithian  elected  in  187(5,  and  again  in  1880,  and  is  the 
present  State's  Attorney. 

Coroners — There  seems  to  have  l)e(Mi  no  records  kept  of  Coro- 
ners luitil  18(;(;,  when  J.  W.  Williams  was  elected;  1872,  George  R. 
Weller  was  elected;  1873,Charles  Yelton,;  1874,  J.  B.  Harris:  lS7(i, 
John  Keru,  (he  died);  1877,  A.  B.  Faller;  1878,  Phillii)  Krebs:  1880, 
J.  K.  Stretcher  (he  died),  and  in  1881,  Phillip  Krebs  was  again 
elected,  but  subsetpiently  moved  to  Kansas,  and  Jos,  W.  Hessler  was 
elected  in  1882. 


A 


HISTOKY    OF   .TASPKU    COUNTY.  427 


SOCIAL  DEVELOPMENT. 

KAULV    SKTTLEIiS    AM)    MOUKS  OF   LIFE. 

The  [)i()iieers  of  Jasper  County  came  principally  from  Kontucky, 
with  a  number  from  Indiana,  Ohio,  and  th(»  far  Eastern  and  Southern 
states.  Most  of  these  families  were  nurtured  in  the  older  settlements 
of  the  states,  and  htid  been  trained  in  the  stern  school  of  experience 
to  meet  and  conciuer  the  difficulties  of  a  new  country.  But  the  prob- 
lem here,  presented  difficulties  which  re(pnred  personal  ing-enuity, 
perseverance  and  courai>e,  to  successfully  treat.  The  thnbcr  which 
skirted  the  mar<^in  of  the  numerous  rivers,  divided  the  country  into 
timb;'r  land  and  prairie  into  almost  equal  divisions,  offerino-  to  the 
superficial  view  the  hai)piest  combination  for  the  frontier  farmer. 

Every  inimii>-rant  supplied  his  own  means  of  reachini):  his  des- 
tined home.  The  pioneer  from  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  the  Southern 
states,  betrayed  his  nativity  and  prejudice  in  the  schooner-shaped 
wa,2on  box,  the  stiff  tonoue,  the  hinder  whesls  double  the  size  of  the 
forward  ones  and  closely  coupled  together,  the  whole  drawn  by  a 
team  of  four  or  six  horses,  which  Averc  guided  by  a  single  line  in  the 
hands  of  a  teamster  riding  the  '•'  nigh  wheeler."  His  harness  Avas  of 
gigantic  proportions.  What,  between  the  massive  leather  1n-eeching, 
the  heavy  hames  and  collar,  the  immense  housings  of  bear  skin  upon 
the  hames,  the  heavy  trace  chains  and  the  })onderous  double-tree  and 
whiffietrees,  the  poor  beasts  seemed  like  humanity  in  a  chain  gang, 
or  some  terrible  monsters  which  human  ingenuity  could  scarcely  fet- 
ter securely.  The  Eastern  immigrant  from  New  York  or  farther  east, 
was  marked  as  far  as  his  caravan  could  be  seen,  by  a  long-coupled, 
low-boxed  two-horse  wagon,  provided  Avith  a  seat,  from  Avhich  Avith 
doul)le  lines,  the  driver  guided  his  lightly  harnessed  horses.  Tiiere 
was  about  i)art  of  the  outfit,  evidences  of  the  (dose  calculation  of 
means  to  an  end,  and  an  air  of  utility  Avhicli  left  no  room  fordoubt 
as  to  the  practicality  of  the  maker  in  every  part  of  it. 

The  open  country,  Avhere  circumstances  favored,  Avas  undoubtedly 

far  superior  for  farming  to  the  timber  laiul,  but  aside  from  the  flies 

that  infested  that  portion  of  the  country  and  the  general  Avet  condition 

of  the  soil,  the  settlers  imbued  Avith  the  logical  deductions  of  their 

2e 


426  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

earlier  ('Xi)criences,  looked  with  distrust  ui)on  the  prairie.  The  gen- 
eral impression  was,  that  only  the  timber  belts  would  ever  be  inhab- 
ited; the  prairie  swept  by  tires  of  summer,  and  by  the  i)iercin2:  blasts  of 
winter,  seemed  little  better  than  a  desert,  and  for  several  years  there 
was  not  a  cabin  in  Jasper  County  built  more  than  a  hundred  yards 
from  the  timber. 

The  necessity  of  the  situation  made  the  cabins  similar  in  size, 
style  and  material.  The  pioneer  havinof  selected  a  site  on  some  pros- 
pecting tour,  or  being  attracted  to  a  certain  region  by  the  report  of 
friends,  came  with  all  his  worldly  possessions  on  wagons,  and,  mak- 
ing- selection  of  a  farm,  chose  a  site  for  his  cabin,  and  set  at  once  to 
Ijuild  it.  Trees  were  felled,  logs  of  the  proper  length  chopped  oH'and 
drawn  to  the  building  site,  and  willing  neighbors  for  miles  about 
invited  to  the  raising.  Rude  as  these  structures  were,  it  needed  no 
little  handicraft  to  erect  them,  and  it  was  not  long  l)cfore  the  special 
ability  of  each  member  of  the  community,  entailed  ui)on  him  his  spe- 
cial duty  on  these  occasions.  The  logs  trimmed,  "  saddled  "  and  i)rop- 
erly  assorted,  were  placed  in  the  pen-shape  of  the  cabin;  the  gable 
ends  were  run  up  with  regularity,  shortening  logs  shaped  them  at  the 
ends,  allowed  for  the  slope  of  the  roof ;  on  these  the  long  roof  poles  two 
feetapart  stretched  from  end  to  end,  served  as  foundation  for  the  clap- 
boards, which,  riven  by  the  froe  from  bolts  of  oak,  were  placed  and  held 
secure  by  "  weight  i)oles  "  held  firm  by  pegs  or  stones.  Then  fol- 
lowed the  sawing  out  of  the  doorway  and  windows,  the  chinking  of 
the  cracks  with  pieces  of  riven  timber;  the  calking  with  a  mixture 
of  mud  and  chopped  hay;  the  construction  of  floors  and  a  door  from 
puncheons,  and  the  building  of  chimneys  of  "cat  and  clay." 
Hino-es  were  supplied  from  rawhide  or  timber,  and  the  Avooden  latch 
reached  from  the  outside  by  means  of  an  attached  leather  latch-string 
passino-  through  a  hole  in  the  door,  Avas  often  the  onl}'  protection 
ao-ainst  forcible  entrance.  Liter  experiences  introduced  the  use  of 
heavy  wooden  bars,  but  the  proverbial  expression  of  early  hospitality 
was  the  hanging  out  of  the  latch-string.  The  local  characteristics  of 
the  early  settlers  cropped  even  in  the  construction  of  their  Vhun- 
iieys.  Few  of  the  early  cabins  were  more  than  one-story  high,  and 
the  chimney  placed  on  one  side  was  constructel  in  the  case  of  the 
Southerner  or  Iiidianian  on  the  outside  of  his  cabin,  while  the  rest 
built  inside,  the  lop  in  all  cases  scarcely  reaching  the  height  of  the 
ridge. 

The  interior  of  tlu;  cabin  Avas  marked  l)y  the  same  general  simi- 
larity.    In  each  the  rude  fireplace  shed  abroad  its  genial  warmth  of 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY.  429 

hospitality  or  aided  in  the  preparation  of  the  table's  ehcer.  The 
"crane"  liuns:  with  iron  pots  and  kettles,  and  the  Dutch  oven  half 
submerged  in  coals,  Aveit;  in  all  cabins  the  "evidence  of  things  not 
seen,"  and  furnished  forth  under  the  guidance  of  the  deft  housewife, 
a  meal  which  is  still  sighed  for  as  tl^e  "grace  of  a  day  that  is  dead." 
The  "  corn  pone,"  or  when  so  exceptionally  fortunate  as  to  ])e  able  to 
use  Hour,  the  hop  yeast  or  salt-rising  bread,  the  "chicken  iixings," 
the  game,  the  fresh  luscious  vegetables,  are  memories  that  more  pre- 
tentious days  have  not  dimmed  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  them. 
The  latter-day  inventions  of  saleratusand  baking  powder  had  their  pro- 
totype in  the  pcarlash,  which  was  prepared  l)y  burning  the  potash,  so 
common  then,  ui)on  the  lid  of  the  "  bake  kettle,"  the  sputtering  green- 
ish flame  produced  by  the  process,  in  the  meanwhile,  enforcing 
upon  the  childish  minds  of  the  household  the  stern  doctrines  of  the 
hereafter.  The  frontier  cabin  as  a  rule  contained  but  one  room, 
which  served  all  the  domestic  and  social  purposes  of  the  family 
uncliani>-ed.  Curtains  arrano-ed  about  the  beds  suggested  the  retire- 
ment  of  sleeping  apartments,  while  the  cheerful  blaze  of  the  fireplace 
afforded  an  unstinted  olow  to  the  whole  establishment. 

Tiie  women  of  those  days  ate  not  the  bread  of  idleness.  They 
were  indeed  the  helpmates  of  father,  brother  and  hiLsband,  and  no- 
where in  the  world  did  man  prove  such  an  unbalanced,  useless 
machine,  as  the  unmarried  pioneer  in  this  western  wild.  While  the 
man  with  masterful  energy  conquered  the  difHculties  of  a  new  coun- 
try, and  asserted  his  sovereignty  over  an  unsubdued  wilderness,  it 
was  woman's  hand  that  turned  its  asperities  into  blessings,  and  made 
conquered  nature  the  handmaid  of  civilization.  The  surplus  product 
of  the  farm  sufficed  to  supply  a  slender  stock  of  tea,  coffee,  sugar  and 
spices,  with  an  occasional  hat  for  the  man  and  a  calico  dress  for  the 
woman.  All  else  must  be  derived  from  the  soil.  How  this  was 
accomplished,  the  occasional  relics  of  a  flax  wheel,  brake,  si)inning 
wheel  or  loom  suggest.  To  card  and  s})in,  to  dye  and  weave,  were 
accomplishments  that  all  women  possessed.  Housekeeping  was 
crowded  into  the  smallest  possiljle  space,  and  the  preparation  of  linen, 
of  "  linsey-woolsey,"  and  stocking  yarn,  with  their  adaptation  to  the 
wants  of  the  family,  became,  to  vary  the  catechism,  the  chief  end  of 
woman.  Aljout  these  homely  industries  gathered  all  the  pride  of 
womanly  achievement,  the  mild  dissipations  of  early  society,  and  the 
hopes  of  a  future  competence,  a  social  foundation,  of  which  the  proud 
structure  of  this  great  comm(mwealth  bears  eloquent  testimony. 

But  with  all  this  helpful  self-reliance  indoors,  there  was  plenty 


430  HISTORY   OF  JASPER   COUNTY. 

to  eniriiiiC  the  viirorous  activity  of  the  male  portion  of  the  family  out  of 
doors.  The  exigencies  of  the  situation  allowed  no  second  experiment, 
and  a  lifetime  success  or  failure  hun£»-  upon  the  etibrts  of  the  pioneer. 
The  labor  of  the  farm  was  carried  on  under  the  most  discour- 
ao-jno-  circumstances.  The  rude  asfi'icultural  implements  and  the  too 
often  inadequate  supply  of  these  allowed  of  no  economical  expendi  - 
lure  of  strength,  and  for  years  rendered  the  frontier  farmer's  life  a 
hand  to  hand  struggle  of  sheer  muscle  and  physical  endurance  with 
the  stul)born  ditficulties  of  nature.  The  location  of  the  cabins  along 
the  border  of  the  lowlands  that  form  the  site  of  most  of  the  timber, 
exposed  the  early  settlers  at  their  most  vulnerable  point.  During  a 
considerable  part  of  the  year,  the  almost  stagnant  water  of  the  slug- 
o-ish  streams  filled  the  air  with  miasmatic  poison  that  hung  in  dense 
foo-  over  stream  and  grove  like  a  destroying  spirit.  The  difficulty  expe- 
rienced in  securing  good  water  often  rendered  it  necessary  for  the 
formers  to  drink  from  stagnant  pools.  That  the  "  fever  and  ague  " 
should  stalk  through  the  land,  a  veritable  Nemesis,  was  inevitable 
under  such  circumstances,  and  many  a  hardy  pioneer  was  cowed  and 
fairly  shaken  out  of  the  country  in  the  chilly  grasp  of  this  grim  mon- 
ster. But  havino:  withstood  these  discouragements  and  secured  a  har- 
vest, the  greater  disappointment  came  in  the  utter  lack  of  markets. 
After  a  year  of  labor,  privation  and  sickness,  the  moderate  crop  would 
hardly  bear  the  expense  of  getting  it  to  market.  How  this  country 
was  settled  and  improved  under  such  circumstances  can  be  explained 
upon  none  of  the  scttl(;d  principles  of  political  economy.  Retreat, 
there  was  none,  and  that  homely  phrase  "  root  hog,  or  die,"  was  borne 
in  upon  the  pioneer  by  his  daily  experience  with  a  benumbing  iter- 
ation that  must  have  wrought  ruin  to  any  classbf  people  of  less  hardy 
mental  and  physical  health. 

In  such  a  community,  where  "the  richest  were  poor,  and  the 
poor  lived  in  abimdance,"  there  was  no  chance  for  the  growth  of 
caste,  and  families  for  miles  around  were  linked  together  as  one 
neighborhood  by  the  social  customs  of  the  times,  Avhich,  in  the  spirit 
of  true  democracy,  drew  the  line  at  moral  worth  alone.    The  amuse- 
ments of  a  people  taking  their  character  from  the  natural  surrouud- 
insfs  of  the  conununitv.  were  here  chiefiv  adapted  to  tlie  masculine 
taste.     Hunting  and  fishing  were  always  liberally  rewarded,  while 
log  cabin  raisings,  the  opening  of  court  with  its  jury  duty,  and  the 
Saturday  afternoon  holiday  with  its  scrub  horse  race,  its  wrestling 
match,  its  jumping  or  quoit  pitching,  and  perhaps  a  fight  or  two, 
afforded  entertainments  that  never  lost  their  zest.    It  was  a  common 


HI.STORY    OF   JASPEU   COUNTY.  431 

remark,  however,  that  "  Illinois  furnished  an  easy  berth  for  men  and 
oxen,  but  a  hard  one  for  Avomen  and  horses."  So  long  as  the  com- 
munity gathered  in  Jasi)er  County  hicked  easy  commuiiifation,  but 
little  progress  was  made  toward  a  higher  civilization  with  its  greater 
advantages  and  responsibilities.  Indeed,  not  until  the  coming  of 
railroads,  which  put  the  community  somewhat  nearer  the  level  of 
the  surrounding  communities,  did  Jasper  lose  its  early  reputation 
of  lawlessness  and  low  standard  in  morals. 

EAKLV    T1;A\'EL    AND    EARLY    IIOADS. 

To  one  who  has  known  nothing  more  difficult  than  to  follow 
the  plainly  marked  highways  of  later  days,  the  discouragements  of^ 
frontier  traveling  are  incomprehensible.  The  alternations  of  timber  • 
and  prairie  Avere  immarked  save  by  the  trail  of  the  hogs  that  led  a 
Avinding  and  uncertain  way  to  their  favorite  places  of  Avallowing. 
The  earliest  thoroughfare  Avas  the  Palestine  and  Vandalia  road, 
Avhich  passed  through  the  territory  of  Jasper  County  on  the  toAvn- 
shij)  line  botAveen  toAvnships  nimiber  six  and  scA^en.  This  Avas  the 
line  on  Avhich  it  was  laid  out,  but  the  method  of  establishing  a  road 
at  that  time  left  its  course  much  plainer  upon  paper  than  upon  the 
face  of  the  country.  For  a  time  the  temporary  stakes  and  markings 
served  the  ingcniuity  and  skill  of  the  early  teamster  sufficient  to 
bring  him  to  his  journey's  end,  but  a  little  later  all  certain  trace 
had  disappeared.  The  charactew'of /the  prairie  sod  and  the  lightness 
of  the  travel  prevented  the  establishment  of  the  usual  Avagoii  trail 
that  one  of  to-day  might  expect,  but  there  were  other  indices  that 
were  scarcely  less  sure,  under  favoring  circumstances,  to  the  pioneer.^ 
The  concentrated  travel  had  the  etlect  of  killing  out  the  stemgrass, 
the  place  of  which  wjis  soon  occupied  by  a  yelloAv  blossomed,  gummy, 
resinous  weed  of  little  height,  and  Avhicli  thus  served  to  mark  the 
established  trail.  This  trail,  however,  varied  very  consideral)ly  from 
the  established  route,  each  traveler,  unchecked  by  fences  or  cultiA^ated 
fields,  marking  out  his  OAvn  particular  course  along  the  general  line. 
This  guide,  it  will  be  observed,  Avas  an  uncertain  one  even  in  a  clear 
day  to  one  accustomed  to  such  experiences,  but  the  frecpient  points 
of  timber  here  furnished  to  the  initiated  neA'er-failing  landmarks 
Avhich  the  settler  learned  to  distinguish  Avith  the  precision  of  a  mod- 
ern signboard.  To  strangers  (and  there  Avere  many  such  in  a  groAV- 
ing  connnimity)  all  this  was  not  so  intelligibhs  and  once  sure  of  a 
trail  its  various  divisions  and  crossings  Avere  confusing  and  distracting 
to  the  last  decree. 


432  HISTORY   OF  JASPER   COUNTY. 

Travel  in  the  daytime,  however,  was  not  attentled  with  great 
risks,  but  the  swarms  of  "o-reen-headcd  tiles''  which  infested  the 
prairie  practically  dls])arred  the  traveler  from  using  the  larger  part 
of  the  day  in  prosecuting  his  journey.  The  unfortunate  animal  ex- 
posed to  their  attack  would  be  covered  with  these  voracious  insects 
from  the  drying  of  the  dew  in  the  morning  until  its  fall  in  the  even- 
mcc,  and  such  was  the  vigor  and  effectiveness  of  their  attacks  that  no 
animal  could  sustain  it  long.  Horses  and  cattle  became  frantic  as 
when  attacked  by  bees,  and  work  and  travel  were  practically  sus- 
pended from  9  o'clock  until  dew-hill  in  the  evening.  The  timber 
was  free  from  these  pests  and  the  early  trails  led  along  its  border, 
but  even  these  trails  were  ab:indoned  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 
Traveling  was  consequently  done,  principally  at  night,  which  gave 
rise  to  very  serious  experiences.  Crossing  the  uncultivated  prairie 
"after  dark  was  a  verv  uncertain  venture,  even  to  the  most  expert. 

ft/ 

If  the  night  was  clear  the  stars  were  a  reliable  guide,  and  the  pioneer 
became  quite  proficient  in  the  simpler  rudiments  of  astronomy.  .In 
a  cloudy  night  and  a  snowy  or  foggy  day  their  resources  were  less 
sure.  A  steady  wind  often  proved  the  only  guide.  The  traveler, 
2-ettino-  his  bearinofs,  would  note  how  the  wind  struck  his  nose,  the 
right  ear  or  the  left,  and  then,  keenly  alive  to  these  sensations,  would 
so  maintain  his  course  as  to  keep  the  bearing  of  the  wind  alwa^^s 
the  same,  and  regardless  of  all  other  guides  would  generally  reach 
his  destination  without  difficulty.  To  do  this  required  no  little  skill 
and  a  steady  wind.  If  the  latter  changed  gradually,  the  better  the 
skill,  the  wider  the  traveler  diverged  from  his  proper  course.  With- 
out these  guides  it  was  mere  accident  if  a  person  succeeded  in  crossing 
even  a  small  prairie.] 

An  incident  is  related  of  a  man,  well  acquainted  with  the 
prairie  road,  who  set  out  from  Saint  Marie.  The  prairie  was  only 
seven  miles  long,  and  to  make  assurance  doubly  sure,  proceeded  on 
foot,  leading  his  horse.  In  a  short  time  he  became  bewildered,  lost, 
and  was  forced  to  remain  until  the  morning  light  gave  him  the  guid- 
ance of  tamlllar  landmarks.  The  tendency  is  to  move  in  a  circle, 
and  when  once  this  is  l)egun  and  observed  by  the  traveler,  the  only 
resource  is  to  camp  In  tin;  most  convenient  place  and  manner,  and 
thus  wait  for  the  morning.  It  was  the  custom  of  each  tamlly  living 
in  an  isolated  position,  when  one  of  its  members  was  out  from  home, 
to  keep  a  light  so  placed  that  it  might  be  seen  and  recognized  at  a 
considerable  distance.  It  was  a  frequent  practice  to  elevate  a  lantern 
upon  the  top  of  a  pole,  supported  beside  the  chimney.     To  be  lost 


IIISTOUY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  433 

in  tlie  prairie  or  titnhor  was  an  experience  treiiuently  attended  with 
very  serious  results,  and  unfortunately  were  of  fretpient  occurrence. 
One  man  attempted  to  reacli  Saint  Marie  from  Newton.  It  was  not 
considered  a  difficult  or  dano-erous  undertakini>-,  but  missing  his  way, 
he  was  discovered  three  days  later,  worn  out  with  his  exertions 
and  nearly  f  imished.  Such  experiences,  to  which  every  settlemcmt 
could  add  its  share,  impressed  the  general  community  with  the  neces- 
sitv  for  aood  roads,  and  yet  such  were  the  natural  difficulties  in  the 
way  that  but  little  im[)rovement  could  b:^  effected  before  1H50.  ^ 

The  great  early  thoroughfares  lead  from  east  to  west,  and  in  this  I 
region  were  the  Palestine  and  Vandalia,  Vinccnnos  and  Saint  Louis, 
and  the  National  or  Cumberland  road,  leading  in  this  region  from  j 
Terre  Haute  to  Saint  Louis.  I'he  courses  of  these  roads  are  now  gen- 
erally marked,  for  a  greater  or  less  length,  by  railroads.  The  "Pal- 
estine roa<l,"  as  it  was  early  called,  was  the  first  constructed  of  the 
National  thoroughf  ires,  and  was  the  only  one  in  Jasper  County  at  the  , 
time  of  its  organization.  On  ^Nlarch  25,  1835,  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  county  l)oard  by  sundry  citizens,  asking  that  a  road  be 
established  "from  the  Lawrence  County  line,  where  the  Shelbyville 
State  road  strikes  said  line,  and  from  thence  to  Newton  via  James 
Jordan's  on  Fox  River ;  thence  to  the  Coles  County  line  at  or  near 
the  old  crossing  of  Muddy  Creek  in  a  direction  to  Charleston." 
Wagon  roads  at  this  time'  were  mapped  out  much  upon  the  same 
principle  as  railroads  are  now — with  strict  reference  to  terminal 
points,  connections,  and  surface  of  the  route.  The  line  projected 
connected  the  points  of  the  judicial  circuit,  connected  the  principal 
parallel  thoroughfares,  and  was  subsequently  varied  to  suit  "  the  lay 
of  the  land."  •' VicAvers "  were  appointed,  and  in  the  following 
June  they  made  their  rei)ort,  locating  this  first  road  of  the  county. 
It  is  a  curious  record,  and  illustrates  the  simi)licity  of  the  early 
times,  the  alternations  of  prairie  and  timber,  the  location  of  many 
of  the  early  settlers,  and  its  transcription  may  not  prove  wholly 
uninterestino-  in  these  pa£>es.  The  course  led  north  across  Lawrence 
County  "to  a  stake  marked  'C  L.';  thence  to  eTordan's,  the  west  side 
of  his  dwelling  house;  thence  in  a  straight  line  through  prairie  to 
three  hickories  at  edge  of  prairie;  thence  to  John  Barnes'  lane, 
through  said  lane,  and  thence  northwest  to  the  line  of  John  Gar- 
wood's land  in  Township  (>  north,  Range  9  east,  to  the  southwest 
corner  of  said  lantl;  thence  north  on  a  straight  line  to  the  south  end 
of  Van  Hurcn  Street  in  Newton;  thence  along  said  street  to  the 
public  S([uare;  thence  west  with  Jordan  Street  to  L.  W.  Jordan's 


434  HISTOKY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

fence;  thence  north  to  the  mouth  of  Jordan's  hiue;  thence  west  ah)ng 
said  hmc  to  John  lleynohls'  liouso;  tlionco  northwest  to  a  Idack  oak 
at  the  ediie  of  the  prairie;  thence  to  the  sclioolliouse,  thence  to  the 
prairie  in  a  north  direction  to  a  bhick  oak;  thence  throucfh  prairie 
to  a  ])hick  oak  and  hirire  hickory;  thence  to  Abljott  Lee's  farm, 
throiiirh  said  farm  in  a  north  direction  to  a  stake;  thence  to  W.  ]M. 
Richards,'  between  house  and  l)arn;  thence  north  throuiih  Richards' 
farm,  thence  through  prairie  to  two  post  oaks;  thence  through  tim- 
ber to  Turkey  Creek;  thence  to  three  post  oaks  at  the  east  side  of 
the  point  of  Turkey  Creek  timber  to  four  post  oaks;  thence  through 
prairie  to  a  black  and  post  oak  on  a  direct  course  north  to  ]\Iint 
Creek  to  a  hirge  white  oak  nuirked  with  a  bhize  and  two  notches; 
thence  through  timber  to  pin  oak;  thence  to  stakes  to  the  west  side 
of  the  north  fork  of  Mint  Creek  to  a  small  Idazed  oak;  thence  to 
the  point  of  the  post  oak  grove;  thence  to  a  stake  at  the  last  point 
of  Mint  Creek;  thence  on  a  north  direction  to  the  head  of  ]Marsh 
Creek;  thence  through  prairie  on  a  straight  line  to  the  last  point  of 
Marsh  Creek;  thence  along  the  old  trace  to  the  Coles  County  line 
to  a  larffe  oak  stake  marked  on  the  south  side — 'J.  C-  line.'  "  From 
this  description  it  would  be  difficult  to  locate  the  true  line  of  road, 
but  fortunately,  later  changes  and  surveys  have  modified  and  fixed 
its  course  in  more  definite  terms. 

In  June,  1836,  a  blazed  road  was  laid  out  from  Xewton  to 
Greenup;  in  December,  a  road  from  Xewton  to  Eflingliam  was  pro- 
jected; in  December,  1839,  from  Bockman's  mill  west  to  the  Van- 
dalia  road;  and  in  September,  1844,  from  Xewton  to  Saint  ^Nlarie. 
By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  ^Nlarch  2,  1839,  a  road  was  established 
from  Xewton  to  John  Deremiah's  in  ]Marion  Countv,  via  Louisville, 
Olay  Comity.  This  road  was  chopped  out,  graded  and  bridged  in 
the  course  of  that  year  and  the  following.  The  clearing  was  done 
in  Jasper  County  at  $17  per  acre,  the  wdiole  amounting  to  six  and 
three  quarters  acres,  H.  AVade  being  the  contractor.  Other  con- 
tractors on  the  various  parts  of  the  work  were  L.  \\  .  Jordan,  J.  I. 
Pullis,  Silas  liarnes,  Benj.  Harris,  Sr.,  L.  1).  AVade.  -lames  Barnes 
and  William  ]M.  Richards.  The  afj-gregate  cost  was  a  trifle  less 
than  $700.  This  large  increase  in  traveling  facilities,  however,  did 
uot  make  the  enuntv\-  an  easv  one  to  tlie  t(\inister. 

FEKKIES    AM)    HIMDGE.S. 

The  streams  reaching  out   in  every  direction,  in  an  early  day, 
proved  Ncry  embarrassing  obstacles.     Fords  were  to  be  found  in 


HISTOKV    OF   JA8PEU    COUNTY.  435 

certain  times  of  tlie  year,  but  for  several  nionths  crossino-  tliem  was 
very  uneertain.  The  Embarrass  River  was  the  most  important,  and 
a  ferry  was  established  across  it  at  Newton  at  a  very  earl>'  date,  by 
Garwood.  At  certain  times  in  the  year  teams  could  ford  the  river, 
and  the  l)usine8S  was  of  more  convenience  to  the  public  than  profit 
to  the  owner.  It  was  abandoned  and  re-established  from  time  to 
time,  and  continued  until  al)out  ISoT.  A  ferry  was  established 
across  the  same  river  in  1848,  near  Saint  jVIarie,  which  continued  with 
an  experience  similar  to  the  older  ferry  until  about  1<S()0.  Another, 
across  the  stream  "in  the  Dark  Bend,"  continued  until  1880.  These 
ferries  were  maintained  in  the  simplest  fashion.  A  rope  stretched 
from  bank  to  bank  provided  the  ferryman  the  means  to  pull  his  boat 
and  cargo  across  the  stream.  The  boat  was  a  square-end  flat-I)oat, 
larsre  cnouirh  to  receive  horses  and  wai>on.  Business  was  never  very 
brisk,  and  travelei*s  were  occasionally  obliged,  in  the  absence  of  the 
ferryman,  to  swim  across  i\\o  stream  after  the  boat,  and  work  their 
own  passage.  The  tariff  allowed  at  Xewton  and  Saint  ^Nlarie  varied 
somewhat,  l)ut  is  as  follows,  the  Xewton  rate  beina-  named  first: — 
For  four-horse  team  and  wagon,  50  and  20  cents;  for  two  horses  and 
wagon,  o7  J  and  15  cents;  for  pleasure  carriage  and  one  horse,  25  cents; 
for  two  horses,  40  cents;  at  Saint  Marie  the  tarifl"  was  25  cents  for 
either;  for  man  and  horse,  10  cents.  Saint  jNIarie  same;  footman,  5 
cents,  both  the  same;  neat  cattle,  per  head,  5  and  8  cents;  hogs, 
sheep  or  goats,  per  head,  3  and  2  cents;  loose  horses  and  mules,  5 
cents  per  head  at  each  place. 

Such  exactions,  while  ai)parently  necessary,  became  at  length 
irksome  and  gave  rise  to  repeated  demands  for  bridges.  On  March 
4,  1837,  the  legislature  a[)propriatcd  $300  toward  building  a  bridge 
across  the  Eml)arrass  River  at  Xewton,  but  this  was  insufficient  for 
the  purpose,  and  the  county  Avas  unable  to  raise  the  balance  necessary 
to  build  it.  The  money  was  therefore  loaned  at  10  percent  interest 
until  in  June,  1844,  the  sum  of  interest  and  principal  had  reached 
$500.  The  money,  however,  had  Ix'cn  used  in  building  the  brick 
court  house,  and  the  County  Court,  urged  l)y  the  petition  of  citizens, 
and  the  consideration  that  unless  used  for  the  purpose  for  which  it 
was  appropriated  the  amount  would  draw  interest  at  the  expense  of 
the  county  treasury,  ordered  a  bridge  built,  and  appropriated  the 
$500.  Beyond  the  levying  a  tax  and  creating  a  fund,  the  bridge  got 
no  nearer  construction,  as  in  the  following  December  the  virtuous 
resolution  of  the  court  was  rescinded.  So  the  matter  lingered,  never 
fiuallv  dismissed  nor  actuallv  beiiun  until   March  of  1<S57.     At  this 


436  HisTOia-  OF  JA^;rETi  county. 

time  §4,000  was  appropriated,  the  contract  .siilxsecpieutly  let  to  Brill- 
hart  &  Gaddis  for  $4,400,  and  the  bridge  completed  and  accepted,  at 
a  cost  of  §4,450,  in  August,  1S.38.  This  was  an  open  bridge.  It 
finally  fell  down,  and  was  rebuilt  in  18iU,  the  county  assisting  the 
township  of  AVade  to  the  extent  of  $1,000. 

The  bridge  at  Saint  :\Iarie  was  built  in  18G1,  by  J.  D.  Tripp, 
contractor,  at  a  cost  of  about  §3,.500.  This  was  built  by  the  county; 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  were  temporarily  restrained  from  proceed- 
ing in  this  matter;  the  case  was  heard  in  the  Circuit  Court  and  dis- 
missed, and  in  18(jl  the  county  did  for  Saint  Marie  what  it  had  done 
previous  to  township  organization  for  Newton.  These  two  covered 
Avooden  structures  are  the  only  considerable  bridges  in  the  county. 
There  are  some  eight  or  ten  bridges  of  some  thirty  feet  in  length 
over  the  smaller  streams  of  the  county,  but  on  the  whole  the  expense 
of  bridges  in  the  county  may  be  said  to  be  comparatively  light. 

RAILllOADS. 

Peoria,  Decatur  &  UuansviUe.—U ntW  187G,  Newton  was  an  in- 
land village,  and  Jasper  County  subsidiary  to  Olney.  The  merchants 
found  this  their  nearest  shi[)ping  point,  and  wagoned  their  goods 
over  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  of  tedious  road.  From  this  point  the 
mail  was  carried  daily  on  horseback  to  Saint  ]\Iarie  and  Newton,  and 
the  growth  of  these  towns  was  absorbed  by  the  prosperity  of  Olney. 
Thissttiteof  things  could  not  fail  to  arouse  the  dissatisfaction  of 
business  and  observing  men,  but  there  were  not  wanting  large  num- 
bers Avho,  while  desiring  a  railroad,  demonstrated  to  their  own  sat- 
isfaction that  the  country  could  not  support  any  more  than  then 
existed.  The  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  left  the  south- 
eastern corner  of  the  State  unprovided  for  and  at  disadvantage  in 
competition  with  the  central  portion,  and  there  Avas  an  etlbrt  nv.ide 
for  a  competing  line  as  early  as  1855.  About  this  time  a  line  of  road 
was  projected  from  ^Nlattoon  to  Grayville  on  the  Wabash  River.  A 
company  Avas  organized  under  a  charter  granted  February  ('»,  1857, 
and  some  effort  Avas  made  to  construct  the  proposed  road,  but  up  to 
the  beginning  of  1H7G  nothing  had  been  accomplished.  During  this 
year  matters  revived,  and  thirty  miles  of  road  out  of  ninety-three 
proposed,  was  graded.  The  friends  of  the  road  had  not  been  entirely 
idle  in  the  meanwhile,  but  it  Avas  a  large  undertaking  at  that  time, 
and  many  discouragements  Avere  met.  Contractor  after  contractor 
undertook  the  construction  and  failed;  the  enterprise  depended  prin- 
cipally upon  local  capitalists  whose  means  hardly  entitled  them  to 


HISTOKV    OK   JASPER   COUNTY.  437 

the  ii.uiie,  and  the  people  were  not  easily  persuaded  of  the  advantaires 
of  such  a  road.  The  discussion  had  proceeded  so  far  in  1<SG(),  tliat 
it  was  proposed  to  submit  the  question  of  lakino-  $100,000  in  stock 
of  the  road  to  the  people  at  a  general  election,  bnt  it  was  discovered 
that  the  charter  did  not  provide  for  this.  In  Mtirch,  1<SG7,  the  char- 
ter was  so  amended  as  to  provide  for  subscription  to  the  road's  cap- 
ital stock  by  county  courts.  In  lSi;(),  $1,000  had  been  appropriated 
for  the  survey  of  the  proposed  route  through  Jasper  County,  and  of 
this  amount  $722  was  expended  in  this  work.  In  the  following 
December,  in  accordance  with  the  amended  charter,  the  proposition 
of  subscribing  $100,000  was  again  brought  up,  and  in  the  spring  of 
18GS  affirmed  by  the  people.  The  money  thus  voted,  however,  was 
to  be  expended  oidy  on  the  construction  of  the  road  within  the 
county,  and  the  bonds  to  be  issued  as  the  work  progressed.  The 
first  spike  Avas  driven  on  the  Indiana  division  in  1871,  but  the  work 
languished  here  until  187(5.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year  the  road 
was  finally  located  through  Xcwton,  and  late  one  Tuesday  afternoon 
the  work  began  here.  Chas.  Wakefield  broke  the  first  furrow  for 
the  o-rade,  Fuller  Xio-h  was  the  first  to  shovel  the  dirt  into  a  wheel- 
barrow,  ••Uncle  Bob"  Leach  had  the  honor  of  dumping  the  dirt  on 
the  road-bed,  and  L  M.  Shup  made  first  payment  on  the  work  done. 
The  payment  was  made  in  coin,  and  consisted  of  a  silver  three-cent 
piece  Avhich  it  was  jocosely  said  he  had  carried  since  the  Mexican 
war;  and  everybody  helped  to  drink  the  keg  of  beer  Avhich  was  fur- 
nished for  the  occasion.  The  revival  of  the  work  in  this  year 
brought  the  road  into  NcAvton,  and  for  a  time  this  place  constituted 
the  northern  terminus,  with  round-house  and  turn-table.  In  1878, 
the  road  reach(^d  ]Mattoon,  and  a])out  the  same  time  Grayville. 

It  Avas  a  part  of  the  original  design  to  find  an  outlet  through 
Indiana,  and  the  Mount  Vernon  and  Grayville  Company  AA^as  organ- 
ized. In  March,  1<S72,  the  two  companies  Avere  consolidated  under 
the  name  of  the  Chicago  &  Illinois  Southern  Railroad  Company. 
The  Decatur,  Sullivan  and  Mattoon  Company  had  been  organized 
under  a  charter  granted  in  1S71.  and  Avas  consolidated  Avith  the 
other  tAvo  roads  in  1872.  On  May  5,  187(),  these  consolidations  Avere 
dissolved  by  order  of  tlu;  United  States  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  Illinois.  This  left  the  Graj^ille  &  ^Mattoon  Avitli  thirty  miles  of 
grade  and  without  any  through  connection. 

The  Pekin,  Lincoln  &  Decatur  Kail Avay  Company  Avas  organized 
under  a  charter  granted  in  1870,  and  the  road  o[)ened  from  Pekin  to 
Decatur,  ()7. 'J  miles,  in  Xovem]>er,  1871,  ))y  its  original  OAvners.     In 


438  HISTORY   OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

the  following-  year  it  aviis  leased  to  the  Toledo,  AVal)ash  &  Western 
Railway  Company,  by  which  it  was  operated  nntil  August,  1876, 
when  it  was  sold  under  foreclosure  sale.  The  road  was  subsequently 
extended  from  Pekin  to  Peoria,  a  distance  of  9.2  miles,  and  opened 
for  traffic  March,  1878.  This  road  then  purchased  the  Decatur,  Sul- 
livan &  :Mattoon  and  then  the  Grayville  &  :\lattoon,  the  first  train 
from  Newton  arriving  in  ^lattoon  on  July  4  of  that  year.  This 
road  re-organized  in  1880,  under  the  name  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  & 
Evansville  Railway  Company,  then  possessed  the  property  and  fran- 
chise of  the  four  corporations.  The  Mount  Vernon  &  Grayville 
road  existed  only  on  paper.  The  subscription  of  Mount  Vernon  had 
been  diverted  to  the  building  of  anew  court  house, and  the  five  miles 
of  road  which  had  been  constructed  had  been  abandoned.  Under 
the  new  organization  new  life  was  infused  tinto  the  whole  line. 
New  bridges  were  constructed,  new  depots  built;  those  parts  of  the 
grade  shabbily  built  w^ere  re-built,  and  the  Evansville  division  pushed 
and  completed  to  its  new  terminus. 

The  experience  of  the  people  of  Jasper  County  in  securing  this 
line  of  railroad  w^as  not  such  as  to  encourage  them  in  building  oth- 
€rs.  The  work  was  prosecuted  under  the  most  discouraging  circum- 
stances, and  those  who  were  concerned  w^ith  its  construction  labored 
without  the  hope  of  reward.  To  this  experience  Avas  added  the  pang 
of  ingratitude  on  the  part  of  the  road.  The  usual  ordinances  Avere 
passed  to  maintain  a  passage  for  vehicles  along  highways  crossing 
the  track,  which,  after  repeated  violation,  were  enforced,  and  the 
company  forced  to  pay  some  1600  as  fines.  This  enraged  the 
management  of  the  road  and  Newton  was  dropped  as  a  station.  The 
depot  was  closed,  the  telegraph  facilities  removed  and  neither 
freight  nor  passengers  were  taken  or  left  at  the  town.  A  spirited 
legal  struggle  was  maintained,  and  the  company,  after  a  week  or 
two  of  annoyance,  forced  to  yield.  Subsequently  the  company 
achieved  a  victory  in  another  contest  over  the  payment  of  the  bonds 
subscribed.  An  abbreviated  statement  of  the  case  is  as  follows,  taken 
from  the  decision  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court: 

"The  Grayville  <&  Maltoon  Bailroad  Compamj  Avas  incorpo- 
rated February  6,  1857,  and  on  the  first  of  March,  1867,  its  charter 
was  amended  so  as  to  allow  counties  to  subscribe  to  the  stock  and 
issue  bonds  in  payment,  if  a  majority  of  the  voters  of  the  county,  at 
an  election  called  V)y  the  County  Court,  should  vote  in  fovor  of  such  a 
subscrii)tion.  The  county  of  Jasper,  through  which  the  road  of  the 
company   ran,   was  under  township  organization,  and  its  Board  of 


HISTOllY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY.  439 

Supervisors  oallod  upon  the  voters  of  the  eounty  to  vote  at  an  elec- 
tion to  be  hehl  on  tlie  seventh  of  April,  18GS,  whether  or  not  a  sub- 
scription of  I?  100,000  should  be  made  to  the  stock  of  the  company 
by  the  county,  payable  in  bonds  of  the  county,  to  l)c  issued 
as  the  work  progressed,  one-sixth  of  which  were  to  fall  due  annually 
from  the  time  they  were  put  out.  The  election  was  held  and  resulted 
m  a  majority  in  tavor  of  the  subscription.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  January  23, 1«()3,  the  chairman  Avas  authorized 
to  subscribe  the  stock  as  soon  as  it  might  legally  be  done.  An  act 
of  the  general  assembly  of  the  State,approved  ISIarch  27, 1809  (Acts 
of  1809,  vol.  3,  p.  360)  relating.to  this  company,  and  to  votes  which 
liad  been  taken  for  subscriptions  to  its  stock,'contiiined  the  following 
as  section  3: 

"That  all  elections  held  for  the  purpose  of  voting  said  stock, 
and  the  manner  in  which  said  stock  was  voted,  are  hereby  legalized 
in  all  respects,  and  the  stock  to  be  subscribed  in  the  manner  the 
same  was  voted." 

On  the  authority  of  these  several  acts  and  this  election,  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  issued  one  hundred  bonds  of  $1,000  each. 

The  bonds  fell  due,  some  in  1.S77  and  others  in  each  year  there- 
after, until  and  including  the  year  1883.  It  nowhere  appears  ^\*\\en 
the  bonds  were  put  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustee,  but  none  of  them 
bore  date  prior  to  October  19,  1876. 

At  all  the  times  when  these  several  things  were  done  there  was  in 
the  county  of  Jasper  a  County  Court  as  well  as  a  Board  of  Super- 
visors. *  *  *  * 

Under  authority  of  an  act  of  the  legislature,  passed  April  14, 
1875,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  called  an  election  of  the  voters  of  the 
county,  to  be  held  on  the  third  day  of  April,  1877,  for  the  purpose  of 
voting  for  or  against  funding  the  "  bonds  issued  to  the  Grayville  & 
Mattoou  Railroad  Company  for  the  sum  of  $100,000,  drawing 
ten  per  cent  interest:  said  hundred  bonds  to  be  due  in  twenty 
years,  and  payable  at  the  option  of  the  county  in  ten  years;  said 
bonds  to  be  payable  semi-annually  at  the  treasurer's  office  in 
Jasper  County."  At  this  election  a  majority  of  the  voters  Av^ere 
found  to  be  in  favor  of  the  measure.  Afterwards  funding  bonds 
were  issued  in  exchan£;:e  for  old  bonds 


IS. 

* 


After  these  bonds  were  put  out  the  indebtedness  of  the  county 
exceeded  somewhat  five  per  centum  of  the  value  of  the  taxable  prop- 
erty ascertained  by  the  last  preceding  assessment.     The   plaintiff 


44U  JII.STOKY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

below,  and  defendant  in  error  here,  being  the  owner  of  coupons  cut 
from  some  of  the  funded  bonds  falling  duo  in  May  and  November, 
1878  and  1879,  which  were  unpaid,  brought  this  suit  to  recover  them. 
He  was  the  holder  and  in  possession  of  a  i)art  or  the  whole  of  the 
original  bonds  when  the  funding  took  place,  and  took  the  funding 
bonds  in  exchange  for  such  of  the  original  bonds  as  he  then  held. 

Upon  this  state  of  facts  the  court  below  gave  judgment  against 
the  countv-  The  case  is  now  liere  bv  writ  of  error,  and  the  sinsfle 
question  is  presented,  whether  the  countv  made  out  a  valid  defense  to 
the  coupons  sued  on.  In  our  opinion  the  county  is  estopped  from 
setting  up  the  alleged  invalidity  of  the  original  bonds  as  a  defense 
in  this  action.  It  is  true  the  funding  law  only  authorized  the  fund- 
ing of  "  binding  and  subsisting  legal  obligations," "properly  author- 
ized by  law,"  but  no  new  bonds  could  l)e  issued  in  lieu  of  old  ones 
except  on  a  vote  of  the  people.  All  outstanding  bonds  were  not  to 
be  taken /up  in  this  way,  but  only  such  as  w^ere  recognized  by  the 
people,  acting  together  in  their  political  capacity  at  an  election  for 
that  purpose,  as  binding  and  subsisting  legal  obligations.  After 
such  a  recognition  the  corporate  authorities  could  make  the  ex- 
changes, l)ut  not  before. 

The  law^  under  which  the  original  bonds  were  put  out  was  suf- 
ficient. Ko  complaint  is  made  of  any  illegality  in  its  provisions. 
The  only  ol)jection  is  that  there  was  a  mistake  in  carrying  it  into 
execution.  The  election  was  called  by  the  wrong  corporate  agency. 
The  County  Court  should  have  brought  the  people  together  and  not 
the  Board  of  Supervisors.  This,  if  there  had  been  nothing  more, 
would,  under  the  rulings  of  the  highest  court  of  the  State,  made 
lonir  before  the  vote  was  taken,  render  the  bonds  invalid.  (Schuv- 
ler  Co.  vs.  People,  2,5  111.,  185.)  It  was  for  this  reason  inidoubteJly 
that  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  at  their  meeting  at  the  election, 
authorized  the  subscription  to  be  made  and  the  bonds  delivered  in 
payment  as  soon  as  it  might  lawfully  be  done,  and  that  the  act  to 
legalize  the  election  was  passed  in  18(19.         *         *         * 

As  was  very  properly  said  below  by  the  learned  Circuit  Judge, 
"  there  must  be  an  end  of  these  contests  and  defenses  some  time  or 
other."  There  must  be  a  time  Avhen  the  people  in  their  political 
capacity  are  concluded  by  their  contracts  as  much  as  individuals,  and 
we  think  tliiit  where  the  people  of  a  count}^  at  an  election  held 
according  to  law.  authorize  their  corporate  or  political  representa- 
tives to  treat  certain  outstanding  county  obligations  as  "  i)roperly 
authorized  by  law"  for  the  purpose  of  negotiating  a  settlement  with 


IIISTOltY    OF   .lASI'KlJ    COUNTY.  441 

tho  hoUlerr^,  iind  the  settlement  which  was  contemphited  has  been 
made,  all  contests  as  to  the  validity  of  the  obli<^ations  must  be  con- 
sidered as  ended.         *-        *         * 

Wiien.  therefore,  the  people  wci-e  called  on  to  vote  whether  the 
old  bonds  should  be  funded,  the  facts  they  had  to  consider  were  these: 
A  valid  law  authorizing^  the  subscrii)tion  and  an  issue  of  the  bonds 
had  been  i)assed.  The  i)eo[)le  at  an  election  which  had  l)een  irre*>'u- 
larly  called  had  voted  to  make  subscription  and  issue  bonds  bearing 
ten  per  cent  interest,  and  all  payable  within  six  years.  An  act  had 
been  passed  to  legalize  the  election,  aiul  under  it  the  subscription 
which  had  been  voted  was  made  and  bonds  such  as  were  contem- 
plated had  been  issued  and  were  then  outstanding  in  the  hands  of 
various  parties.  AVhether  these  bonds  were  valid  was,  so  far  as  any 
direct  decisions  were  concerned,  an  open  question,  and  certainly  not 
free  from  doubt.  Under  these  circumstances  the  question  was  directly 
put  to  the  people  of  the  county,  in  a  manner  authorized  b}^  law, 
whether  they  Avould  recognize  these  bonds  as  "  binding  and  subsist- 
nig  legal  oldigations"  and  issue  in  lieu  of  them  other  bonds  having 
twenty  years  to  run  and  bearing  seven  per  cent  interest,  instead  of 
ten,  and  they  l)y  their  votes  said  they  would.  There  is  no  complaint 
of  anv  illeiralitv  in  this  election  or  of  fraud  or  imposition.  So  far  as 
the  record  shows,  the  proposition  ,  to  fund  went  from  the  county 
authorities  to  the  bondholders,  and  not  from  the  bondholders  to  the 
county.  The  facts  were  as  well  known  to  one  party  as  the  other. 
If  the  people  intend  to  rely  on  their  defenses  to  the  old  bonds,  then 
Avas  the  time  for  them  to  speak  an  1  l)y  their  vote  say  they  would 
not  recognize  them  as  being  obligations.  By  voting  the  other  way 
they,  in  effect,  accepted  them  as  legal  and  subsisting  for  the  purpose 
of  the  proposed  extension  of  time  at  reduced  interest,  and  said  to 
the  holders  if  their  i)roi)Osition  Avas  accepted  no  question  of  illegal- 
ity would  be  raised.  Their  offer  having  been  accepted  they  are  now 
est()p[)ed  from  insisting  upon  an  n-regularity  which  they  have  by 
their  votes  voluntarily  waived,  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  facts. 

Danvilhu  Olney  d;  Oliio  Rive)-. — This  company  was  organized 
under  a  charter  granted  IMircli  10,  18(j9,  and  i)roposed  to  construct  a 
road  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio  River,  in  Massac  County,  Illi- 
nois, "  thence  northwardly  to  the  city  of  Chicago,  or  such  place  from 
which  an  entrance  may  be  effected,  by  construction  or  connection, 
and  the  line  of  railway  to  be  located  on  such  sur\ey  as  may  come 
within  the  range  and  [)urview  of  the  charter  of  the  company,  about 
340  miles."     Considerable  stock  was  subscribed  to  this  enterprise 


442  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

a.\oi\<r  its  route.  The  townships  of  Granclville,  AVillow  Hill  and  Suint 
Marie,  each  voted  $30,000,  but  the  construction  vriis  delayed,  and 
June  oO,  1S7(),  there  was  but  eight  miles  graded.  In  June,  1878,  this 
eight  miles  of  road,  from  Kansas  to  AVestfield.  was  put  in  operation 
and  tlie  construction  of  the  balance  of  the  road  languidly  pushed. 
The  M'ork  was  subs('(|uently  revived,  and  in  1881,  the  line  was  com- 
pleted to  Olney,  which  is  the  j)resent  terminus  of  the  road.  Grand- 
villc  successfully  resisted  her  subscription  on  the  ground  that  the 
company  did  not  comph'  with  conditions  on  which  the  subscription 
was  made.  Willow  Hill  and  Saint  Marie  would  probably  have  been 
equally  successful,  but  they  did  not  contest  the  question.  This 
road  was  originally  built  with  narrow-gauge,  but  in  1882.  when  the 
company  had  fifty-seven  miles  in  o})eration,  changed  the  gauge,  and 
extended  it  to  Olney. 

Indiana  and  Illinois  Southern. — The  ••  Narrow  Gauge,"  as  it  is 
popularly  known,  is  the  result  of  twenty  years'  agitation.  A  char- 
ter was  obtained  about  1857,  for  a  road  to  be  called  the  S})ringfield, 
Effingham  and  Southeastern.  The  movement  got  little  beyond  the 
secin-ing  a  charter  until  1881,  when  under  the  auspices  of  this  organ- 
ization the  "Narrow  Gauge  "came  to  Newton.  As  projected,  the 
line  of  road  M^as  to  extend  from  Effingham,  Illinois,  to  Hamilton, 
Ohio.  The  Illinois  division  extended  from  Effingham,  111.,  to  Sulli- 
van, Ind.,  a  distance  of  seventy  miles;  the  Sullivan  division,  extended 
eastward  through  Indiana  to  the  Ohio  line,  165  miles,  making )i  total 
of  235  miles.  The  projected  line  passed  through  the  folloAving 
counties  in  the  State:  Owen,  Greene,  Brown,  Monroe,  Bartholo- 
mew, Decatur,  Ripley  and  Dearborn,  with  the  intention  of  pushing 
it  forward  to  Hamilton,  Ohio.  In  November.  1882,  the  Indiana  and 
Illinois  Southern  Railway  Company  was  organized  ''to  construct  a 
railway  and  acquire  the  Springfield,  Effingham  and  Southeastern 
Railway.''  The  plan  of  this  company  was  to  extend  the  road  west- 
ward in  Shelby  County  to  a  point  on  the  Pittsburgh,  Chicago  and 
Saint  Louis  Road,  and  eastward  to  combine  with  the  Bloomington 
road.  This  new  com[)any  was  formed  of  Boston  capitalists,  and  the 
road  was  sold  to  them  by  the  Receiver,  ])ut  the  court  refused  to  con- 
firm the  sale  in  order  to  protect  the  rights  of  the  creditors  of  the 
road.  It  was  subsequently  sold  to Sturgis  H  ah,  of  the  con- 
struction company  and  has  since  fallen  into  the  hands  of  J.  B.  Lyon, 
of  Chicago.  The  eastern  terminus  is  Swiss  Cit>',  Ind.,  and  while 
there  have  been  rumors  of  its  extension  to  Cincinnati  and  Saint  Lojiis, 
there  are  no  tanq-ible  evidences  of  such  extension.     A  train  each  way 


.  ^■•AiwL 


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niSTOHY    OF   .T.VSPEU    COUNTY.  443 

on  oaeli  of  the  two  divisions  suffice  for  the  traffic  of  the  road,  and 
wliilc  it  [)roves  a  convonioncc  for  certain  isolated  villages,  it  is  on 
the  whole  an  au'aravated  disapijointnicnt. 

7V/VC  Hante  tO  Soiit  liar  stern. — Of  late  years  Newton  seems  to 
he  the  center  of  the  railroad  cyclone.  Scarcely  a  season  passes  without 
the  re<>idar  charter.  [)rtdiininarv  siu'vey,  and  general  felicitation  upon 
the  prospect  of  the  railroad  which  is  to  briuL'"  metropolitan  greatness 
to  the  (piiet  villaiie  of  Xewton.  Of  these  transitory  excitements, 
the  T.  II.  vNc  S.  AV.  promises  to  be  more  permanent  in  its  results. 
This  road  was  originally  chartered  as  theTerre  Haute  and  Iro)i  Mount- 
ain Railway,  and  in  isso,  after  lyiuii' dormant  for  years,  the  project 
was  revived.  The  Times  gives  itrf  history  as  folio avs:  "This  road 
was  surveyed,  sul)sidies  were  voted  to  it,  and  some  work  done 
towards  Terre  Haute,  about  eight  years  ago,  since  which  time 
it  has  i)eacefully  sluml^ercd  until  recently,  when  it  was  again 
revived  in  Terre  Haute,  and  a  lunv  surveying  corps  sent  out.  The 
old  survey  line  made  Xewton  a  point,  passing  on  down  through  our 
county  in  a  southwest  direction  to  Ingrahim,  Clay  County,  and  to 
Flora,  thence  on  to  Chest(n',  opposite  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  where  it 
connected  with  the  Iron  Mountain  road.  Newton  is  on  a  direct  line 
from  Terre  Haute  to  Chester,  but  since  the  revivication  of  the  road 
meetings  have  boen  held  and  committees  appointed  to  wait  on  the 
authorities  at  Terre  Haute,  both  in  Kobinson  and  Olney.  Therefore, 
it  was  thought  necessary  for  our  people  to  hold  a  meeting  and  appoint 
a  committee  to  wait  upon  the  moving  forces  at  Terre  Haute,  laying 
before  them  our  inducements,  and  also  learning  what  would  be 
expected  of  us,  else  we  might  as  a  county  and  town  be  cheated  out  of 
a  most  valuable  railroad  line  that  properly  belongs  to  us  by  virtue  of 
our  location,  by  our  own  lethargy  and  the  enterprise  of  our  neigh- 
bors." 

The  projected  road  is  still  occupying  a  good  deal  of  public 
attention,  and  under  date  of  June  18, 1S83,  a  letter  from  one  of  those 
interested  in  the  project,  gives  the  following:  "  We  located  a  line 
from  ()l)long  to  Annapolis,  which  is  straight,  aiul  the  finest  line  yon 
ever  saw.  We  are  assured  of  the  right  of  Avay  and  money  to  make 
the  survey  and  set  the  county  to  work.  There  is  a  splendid  coal  bank 
on  the  line  of  the  road:  shaft  sunk  and  coal  being  taken  out.  The 
vein  is  foni-  feet  thick,  and  choice  coal  only  forty  feet  deej).  A\'e 
also  strike  the  finest  stone  (juarryin  southern  Illinois,  both  lime  and 
sandstone.  The  stone  and  coal  on  this  line  alone  will  ])ay  to  build 
the  road,  besides  being  through  the  finest  agricultural  country  in 

27 


444  irisTouv  nr  .taspkk  corxTV. 

southern  Illinois.      The  people  along  the  line  will  render  the  neeea- 
saiy  aid,  and  I  see  nothinir  in  the  way  of  building  the  road  at  once." 

Toledo,  Texas  t§  Rio  Grande. — This  road  is  projected  north 
from  Cairo.  111.,  passing  near  Kansas,  in  E  Igar  County,  will  continue 
north  to  intersect  with  the  Toledo,  Chicago  and  Saint  Louis  system 
of  narrow-gauge  roads.  This  road  will  pass  through  Newton,  the 
line  of  track  according  to  the  present  surve}^,  crossing  the  line  of  the 
p.,  D.  &  P..  and  the  "Narrow  G.iuge"  near  their  point  of  inter- 
section. 

PRESS    AM)  POLITICS. 

Among  the  prominent  indications  of  a  communit3''s  advancement 
none  affords  a  better  opportunity  to  accurately  measure  the  true 
value  of  the  social  progress  as  the  newspaper.  In  the  county  commu- 
nities of  this  land,  the  establishment  of  the  newspaper,  sooner  or  later, 
is  inevitable.  The  enterprising  spirit  which  leads  to  commercial 
advertising,  leads  the  American  to  do  the  same  thing  for  his  native 
or  adopted  village,  and  the  establishment  of  the  press  often  bespeaks 
more  approval  for  his  public  spirit  than  for  his  judgment.  The  mov- 
ing influence  which  brought  the  first  newspaper  to  Jasper  County  is 
not  easily  discovered.  It  is  jn-obable  that  the  idea  was  suggested, 
not  so  much  by  the  demand  of  the  pc^ople  or  the  necessity  of  the  vil- 
lage, as  by  the  peculiar  situation  of  the  lirst  editor. 

The  earl}'-  settlers  came  here  provided  with  a  political  faith 
and  a  stock  of  political  prejudices,  but  as  the  tirst  importation  came 
principally  from  one  section  of  the  Union,  there  was  a  general  una- 
nimity in  political  sentiment  for  a  time.  Immigration  from  other 
portions  of  the  country  succeeded  and  brought  in  other  political  ideas. 
From  the  first,  the  adherents  of  the  Democratic  organization  were  in 
the  majority.  In  fact,  so  large  was  this  majority  that  there  was  lit- 
tle or  no  organize;!  opposition  in  county  matters.  The  year  18()0 
found  the  two  parties  then  opposed  in  general  politics,  still  repre- 
sented here,  but  in  more  evenly  balanced  rivalry.  Tiie  extremistvS 
of  both  i)arties  had  sympathizers  in  the  county,  and  i\\?  electioneer- 
ing indulged  in  was  more  deoi)ly  tinged  with  the  colors  of  national 
(|nesl.i()ns.  In  1.S72,  during  the  partial  demoralization  of  the  domi- 
nant i):irty,  the  Kepublicims  elected  William  Carter  as  County  Judge, 
in  1872,  and  his  successor,  R.  B.  Moffet,  in  187(5.  At  this  time  the 
"Grange  Movement"  was  the  disturbing  clement,  and  the  County 
Treasurer,  D.  P.  Sinilii,  was  elected  by  the  "farmer"  combination. 
He  was  elected  liis  own  successor  as  a  personal  vindication  against 
wanton  aspersions  upon  the  honesty  of  his  administration.     IVrsonal 


III8TOKV    OF   .J ASPKU   COUNTY.  445 

poi)ulaiity  has  airaiu  clectnl  him,  thouijh  a  Kopuhlican.  when  the 
general  ticket  was  carried  bv  the  opposition.  The  polities  of  the 
count}"^  is  unusually  eharaeterized  by  its  provincial  scope,  and  the  bal- 
ance of  power  is  so  placed  as  to  make  the  best  man  generally  success- 
ful. The  present  County  Clerk,  a  member  of  the  dcmiinant  party,  is 
elected  without  opposition  upon  a  unanimous  primary  nomination. 
The  Democratic  party  leaders  count  upon  a  reliable  majority  of  about 
■)00  in  their  favor,  though  the  evidences  seem  to  show  a  growing 
Republican  strength,  and  the  majority  is  such  as  to  be  available,  in 
most  cases,  only  for  the  best  fitted  candidate. 

The  first  newspaper  was  Democratic  in  its  political  affiliation, 
and  was  established  in  1856.  George  K.  Hoar  was  a  lawyer  by  pro- 
fession ])ut  incapacitated  in  later  years  for  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion by  paralysis.  It  is  probable  that  the  success  or  the  prospect  of 
success — it  is  imcertain  whether  the  paper  was  established  before  or 
after  Buchanan's  election — of  the  Democratic  Presidential  candidate, 
promised  to  make  a  journalistic  venture  here  a  profitable  undertaking. 
The  county  then  resorted  to  Greenup,  Marshall  or  Robinson,  for  the 
necessar}'-  publication  of  legal  notices  and  the  field  was  clear.  Mr. 
Hoar  bought  his  press  and  material  in  Cincinnati  and  placed  before 
the  people  the  Enquire)'.  The  paper  ran  a  short  career.  The  propri- 
etor found  difficulty  in  meeting  the  paper  he  negotiated  for  his  office 
material,  and  becoming  still  further  incapacitated  for  business  by 
paralysis,  the  paper  was  bought  in  1858,  and  Mehaftey  &  Odell  became 
proprietors.  Under  their  administration  the  name  of  the  paper  was 
changed  to  the  Jaftper  County  Democrat.  There  may  be  something 
in  a  name,  but  this  change  did  not  bring  prosi)erity,  and  a])out  18(!2, 
the  material,  editors  and  good  will  of  the  office,  were  transferred  to 
Paris.  The  weio-ht  of  its  influence  was  never  more  eftective  than 
upon  this  journey.  Six  yoke  of  oxen  attached  to  a  heavy  wagon, 
transported  the  press  and  material,  while  the  editors  with  their  fam- 
ilies took  passage  behind  a  team  of  horses.  Shortly  after  leaving 
the  town  the  road  became  a  bottomless  bog,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
next  day  that  the  ox  team  relieved  of  part  of  its  load,  came  into 
Effingham,  the  bare-legged  young  teamsters  scarred  and  bruised  by 
the  thin  ice  that  covered  the  road,  and  the  i)Oor  beasts  worn  out  and 
dispirited  wMth  the  heavy  progress  of  civilization  as  indicated  by  the 
press.  Mehart'ey  &  Odell  were  i)ronounced  in  their  political  views, 
and  in  a  few  months  found  themsidves  in  the  hands  of  the  "  minions 
of  the  law,"  for  utterances  that  were  less  acceptable  to  the  Parisians 
than  to  the  people  of  Jasper. 


44G  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

Ill  the  meamvhilc   the  Phtin  Di^aler  was  estaV)lished,  the  tii-st 
issue  tippeai-ina-  on  the  Hi-st  Saturday  of  February,  IS.IS.     It  is  ilith- 
cult  to  learn  from  the  numbers  extant  what  its   politieal  faith  wa>. 
It  Avas  probably  termed   by  its  founder,  J.  II.  Graham,  an  indepen- 
dent democratic  Journal.     It  was  certainly  less  pronounced  in  the 
expression  of  it«  sentiments,  and  the  number  of  leipil  notices  pul)- 
lished  forbids  the  idea  of  its  being  Republican  in  sentiment.     It- 
life,   however,    was  brief,   and    was   succeeded   by    the    Democmtir 
Watchman.     This  was  substantially  the  same  otiice  and  paper  and 
continued  with  varying  fortunes  until  18(5.5,  when  Dr.  'f.  II.  Walker 
bouirht  the  business  and  material,  engaging  a  Mr.  Spears  as  editor. 
The  latter  subsequently  l)ei'ame  a  partner.     The  business  did  not 
prosper,  more  from  a   lack  of  proper  management  than  from   any 
inherent  necessity,  and  the  paper  which  had  been  changed  to  tlu 
Newton    Weellt/  Fres.s,  was  purchased  by  Mr.   Stotler  for  his  son. 
James  Stotler  had  come  into  the  office  as  a  typo,  and  i-:ipidly  rising, 
became  the  editor.     After  about  four  months'  experience  his  sudden 
death  left  the  paper  upon  the  hands  of  the  elder  Stotler.     A.  X. 
Walker,  aided  l)y  his  tather,  bought  the  paper  for  $300,  and  at  once 
assumed  the  editorial  function.     Walker  was  a  typo  in  the  office 
when  tii-st  owned  by  his  father,  and  occasionally  ventured  on  an  item 
of  his  own  selection.     One  day  he  ventured  to  insert  an  item  reflect- 
ing upon   persons  who  had  just  left  the  village.     This  was  not  dis- 
covered until  the  edition  was  all  printed  and  the  city  mail  delivered, 
but  it  is  never  too  late  to  mend,  and  young  AValker  was  required  to 
jro  from  one  subscriber  to  another,  sheai-s  in  hand,  and  cut  out  the 

offensive  item. 

On  AVednesday,  ^Nlay  21,  1882,  he  announced  the  sale  of  the 
paper  and  made  the  following  review  of  his  editorial  career:  •'  Nearly 
eighteen  years  ago,  when  a  mere  boy  we  assumed  the  editorial  maii- 
airement  and  control  of  the  Xewton  WeeAh/  Presft,  under  straitened 
circumstances— without  money,  knowledge  or  experience,  with  but 
few  friends,  and  with  prospects,  I  dare  say,  which  were  anything  l)ut 
encouraginir.  Our  father  loaned  us  $300  with  which  we  -drove' 
what  eventually  proved  to  b^  a  good  deal,  in  the  i)urchase  of  the  old 
material  on  which  the  paper  was  then  printed;  and  with  this  pecu- 
niary assistance  he  bade  us  seek  our  own  way,  and  we  accepted  the 
situation  as  the  only  alternative.  There  has  been  wonderful  change-^ 
since  that  memorable  day,  and  we  shall  not  attempt  to  recall  them. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  many  friends  who  then  rallied  to  our  stand- 
ard and  met  us  with  kind  words  of  cheer,  have  gone  hence  to  return 


IIISTOUY    OF   JASPEU   COUNTV.  447 

no  more,  and  anion"-  that  lonir  list  of  names  was  that  of  James 
Foltz.  It  was  of  him  we  obtained  a  loan  of  $5  with  wliich  to  i)ur- 
.  hase  our  first  bundle  of  paper,  and  which  sum  we  repaid  in  one  dol- 
lar Avcekly  installments."  The  reason  for  the  sale  is  stated  as  fol- 
lows: ''First,  we  have  hundreds  of  dollars  due  us  in  accounts  and 
otherwise,  and  feel  that  it  is  a  duty  we  owe  ourself  and  family  to  close 
the  books  for  settlement.  Sr-cond,  we  were  offered  wliat  we  consid(!r 
a  handsome  prifc  for  the  same,  and  believe  that  M'e  can  better 
our  condition  financially."  The  sale  was  made  to  John  H.  8hup, 
who  associated  with  himself  F.  L.  Shup,  as  editor.  Subsequently  the 
editor  became  part  proprietor  and  John  sold  his  remaining  interest 
to  Isaac  Shup,  and  the  business  is  now  carried  on  under  the  firm  name 
of  Shup  &  Shup.  The  paper  is  an  eiirlit  column  folio,  and  uses  the 
auxiliary  print.  It  is  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Democratic  party, 
and  is  characterized  by  a  vigorous  support  of  its  principles. 

The  first  K'^pnblican  newspaper  came  to  Newton  al)out  18.')9  or 
18(iO.  It  came  about  the  time  when  the  forecasting  shadows  of  polit- 
ical events  b?£ran  to  outline  in  vairue  'figures  the  culminations  of 
old  time  antagonisms.  It  was  ratlier  in  anticipation  of  the  demand 
that  the  Wcsff-rn  Star  was  established  in  Newton,  by  R.  A.  Conner 
and  T.  II.  B.  Bridges.  At  the  breaking  out  of  "the  war"  the  pro- 
prietors entered  the  army,  and  the  paper  became  the  property  of 
Fraud  and  Sidney  Wade.  By  the  new  proprietors  the  establish- 
ment was  moved  to  Marshall,  Clark  Co.,  III.,  very  soon  after  the  pur- 
chase. In  D(x;embcr,  18G6,  S.  P.  Conner,  who  had  been  one  of  the 
attiiches  of  the  Stai'  office,  returned  to  Newton  and  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  Jasper  Union.  The  times  seemed  favoral)le  for  such 
a  venture  here,  but  the  isolated  condition  of  the  count}-  and  lack  of 
necessary  qualities  in  the  man  proved  the  effort  vain.  The  office  was 
subsequently  sold  to  John  W.  Welcher,  who  removed  the  office  to 
Oluey.  After  the  failure  of  two  Republican  organs,  a  third  was 
established  in  1.S74,  by  E.  B.  Gorrell.  It  was  established  rather  as 
a  "grange"  paper,  called  the  Clipper,  and  sailed  into  puldic  favor 
upon  the  political  tide  that  brought  D.  P.  Smith  to  the  county  tre^as- 
ury.  In  187()  the  paper  was  leased  to  Henry  Gregory,  who  conducted 
its  publication  for  a  year.  At  the  expiration  of  this  term  Gorrell 
resumed  its  management,  changing  the  name  to  the  Jasper  Count]) 
Times.  In  April,  1882,  the  firm  was  changed  by  the  addition  of  Mr. 
Bell,  and  in  June,  1883,  the  firm  was  again  changed  by  the  retire- 
ment of  Mr.  Gorrell  to  B:dl  and  Ileep.  The  paper  was  originally  a 
seven  column   folio:  it  was  temporarily  increased  to  eight  columns 


448  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

under  the  jidministratioii  of  Givizory,  but  was  reduced  to  its  original 
size  by  Gorrcli.  This  continued  the  size  of  the  paper  until  January, 
1883,  when  it  was  euhiriifed  to  a  five  column  folio.  June  13,  1883, 
the  Jimes  contained  the  following  retrosi)eetion: 

"  With  this  issue  we  begin  the  tenth  volume  of  the  Thaes. 
Nine  years  ago,  shortly  after  a  hot  contest  in  Avhich  Daniel  P.  Smith 
was  first  elected  Treasurer  of  this  county,  Mr.  E.  B.  Gorrell  had  a 
press,  a  couple  of  hundred  pounds  of  type  and  two  printer's 
stands  hauled  in  wagons  across  the  country  from  Effingham,  and  set- 
ting the  same  up  in  the  second  story  of  the  building  now  occupied 
by  Hynes  &  Hall's  planing  mill,  on  Jordan  Street,  commenced  the 
public^ition  of  this  paper.  *  *  *  Such  a  thing 

as  getting  a  column  of  local  advertising  at  that  time  in  Newton  was 
an  absolute  impossibility..  The  people  here,  however,  lived  and 
enjoyed  themselves,  and  the  Times,  then  called  the  Clipper,  lived, 
and  by  incessant,  honest,  continued  effort,  lived  to  prosper.  * 

*  *  During  the  nine  years  this  paper  has   l)een  a 

part  of  Jasper  County — it  has  assisttul  in  every  possible  way  in  our 
present  general  prosperity — it  has  dealt  some  hard  blows,  and  let  us 
say,  successful  ones,  too,  for  better  county  government,  and  as  the 
representative  and  medium  of  the  Republican  jmrty  in  this  county,  it 
has  ma<le  a  record  that  no  newspaper  in  Jasper  can  but  feel  justly 
proud  of  It  will  bo  our  effort  in  the  future  to  keep  the  Times  in 
the  front  where  it  has  always  been,  in  working  for  the  prosperity  of 
our  town  and  county,  and  in  the  advancement  of  the  princi[)les  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  we  trust  we  shall  merit  the  continued  sup- 
port of  its  many  friends." 

In  1882,  Charles  M.  Davis  came  from  ^McLean  County  to  inves- 
tigate this  point  as  a  site  for  newspaper  work.  Ho  found  the  })apers 
here  doing  a  quiet,  prosperous  business,  and  determined  to  establish 
himself  in  Newton.  On  November  3,  he  issued  the  first  number  of 
the  Newton  Mentor.  In  this  number  the  e:litor  outlines  the  princi- 
ples of  the  [)ublication  as  follows: 

'•'•  What  we  have  to  say  by  way  of  an  introduction  for  our  paper 
may  b(!  said  in  a  few  words.  It  will  be  newsy,  giving  especial  atten- 
tion to  what  transpires  in  Newton  and  Jasper  County,  and  a  brit'f 
sunnnary  of  tlit'  news  of  the  State,  nation  and  world  at  large.  Cur 
facilities  for  securing  the  news  of  the  county  arc  unsur[)assed,  as  we 
have  secuicd  the  services  of  able  corresponlents  in  every  township, 
village  and  neighborhood  in  the  county  to  write  us  the  hapi)enings 
and  rei)resent  our  j)aper  in  their  res[)ectivc  communities. 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 


449 


"  We  shall  :iini  to  publish  Jiii  iiidcpeiident  paper.  Ilaviiig  no 
axes  to  irriiul  nor  liobbies  to  ritlo,  the  Mentor  is  not  intended  to  be 
the  vehitde  of  any  peculiar  ideas.  As  a  rule,  its  politics  will  1)C  non- 
partisan as  its  reliiiion  will  be  non-sectarian.  In  local  atl'airs  it  will 
labor  for  the  election  to  office  of  the  most  honest  and  capable  candi- 
dates without  rcirard  to  their  party  affiliations.  It  Avill  oppose 
'rings,'  'cli(pies,'  'the  machine,'  and  all  com])inations  that  by  means 
of  trickery  subvert  the  will  of  the  many  in  order  to  further  the  pri- 
vate interests  of  the  few.  As  the  farmers  and  laboring  class  are  the 
great  wealth-i)roducers  of  the  nation  we  hold  their  mterests  to  be  of 
paramount  importance  and  shall  favor  such  legislation,  both  State 
and  national,  as  shall  conduce  to  their  prosperity-  The  condition  of 
aft'airs  that  makes  it  possible  for  colossal  monopolies  to  b;;  created, 
controlling  millions  of  money  and  wielding  absolute  power  over  the 
price  of  the  products  of  the  country  and  to  regulate  rates  of  trans- 
portation in  their  interests  and  to  the  detriment  of  the  producers,  is 
radically  wrong  and  should  be  changed."  The  paper  is  a  six  column 
quarto  with  auxiliary  print,  and  has  secured  a  good  circulation. 


THE    CHURCH. 


Enough  has  been  written  in  the  foregoing  pages  to  give  good 
gi-ounds  for  the  inference  that  the  early  settlers  of  Jasper  County,  as 
a  whole,  were  not  inclined  to  build  churches  nor  to  encourage  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  This  feature  of  the  early  settlement  was 
an  unfortunate  circumstance,  and  acted  imfavcn-ably  for  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  great  civilizing  power  of  the  church. 

The  first  ciun-ch  intiucnce  established  within  the  limits  of  the 
county  was  that  of  the  Catholic  Communion,  at  Saint  Marie.  The 
colony  planted  here  by  Joseph  Picquet  w^as  made  up  of  devout  mem- 
bers of  this  church.  The  first  priest  who  ministered  here  was  Father 
Badin,  the  first  priest  ordained  in  the  United  States.  He  had  been  a 
missionary  in  Kentucky  and  was  intimately  accpiaintcd  with  Boone, 
and  had  served  in  his  connnunity.  Soon  after  the  founding  of  the 
Colonic  des  Freters,  Father  Badin  was  appointed  by  the  Bishop  of 
Vincennes  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  w^ants  of  this  little  frontier 
settlement.  The  priest  w^as  not  settled  here  at  first,  but  at  stated 
intervals  Mr.  Picquet  drove  to  ^'incennes  to  bring  him  to  Saint 
Marie,  and  in  the  same  way  returned  him  to  the  city.  A  litth;  later 
the  colony  was  organized  into  a  regidar  congregation,  and  about 
1840  regular  services  were  held  here.  About  1845)  or  1850,  the  brick 
church,  which  still  serves  as  a  place  of  worship,  was  erected.  This  is  a 


4.")<)  HIrSTORY    OP^   JASPER    COUNTY. 

ofood  brick  edifice,  o.3x8U  feet,  siinnouiited  by  a  wooden  steeple,  and 
was  built  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500.  This  church  influence  dominates 
the  entire  community  of  the  village,  and  has  estaldished  a  school  under 
the  charge  of  an  order  of  sisters.  From  this  point  the  influence  of 
the  church  has  extended,  establishing  a  church  at  a  point  a  little 
northeast  of  Xevvton,  called  Saint  Peter's  Church,  about  1848. 
Joseph  Shedioner  donated  ten  acres,  on  M'hich  a  log  church  was  at 
first  erected.  This  has  given  way  to  a  large,  frame  Jniilding,  located 
upon  the  original  spot  of  the  first  structure.  P^ither  Fisher  was  the 
first  priest,  and  John  Schackmann,  W.  Michaels  and  \'alentine  Dorn 
were  anions'  the  earliest  members.  The  church  has  b^en  diseontin- 
lied  as  an  independent  charge,  and  is  now  connected  with  the  Saint 
Thomas  Church,  at  Newton,  and  now  numbers  some  thirty  families 
in  its  conirreof'ition.  The  church'atthe  latter  place  had  its  beo-innino- 
early,  but  did  not  liave  a  regular  place  of  worshij)  until  1^50,  when 
the  small,  modern  edifice  which  still  serves  as  a  schoolhouse,  was 
erected.  In  1880,  a  fine,  brick  edifice  was  projected,  which  was  finally 
completed  by  the  addition  of  a  fine  steeple,  in  1883.  The  entire  cost 
of  this  structure  was  about  $7,000,  and  is  the  finest  church  edifice  in 
the  county.  A  school  for  children  is  mainfciined  by  the  sisters  of 
Saint  Joseph,  for  whose  residence  a  fine  brick  building  is  now  in 
course  of  construction  opposit<>  the  new  church  building.  A  church 
of  this  sect  exists  at  Island  Grove,  w^ith  a  congregation  of  some  ten 
or  fifteen  families,  and  is  served  by  the  Franciscan  Fathers,  of  Teu- 
topolis. 

At  Newton,  church  services  were  held  in  the  court  house  by 
itinerant  ministers  who  came  here  as  missionaries  or  on  the  invita- 
tion of  memb3rs  of  the  various  denominations  who  lived  here.  The 
Methodists  were  here  early  and  had  an  organization  earlier  than  any 
other,  save  the  Oitholic,  church  in  the  county.  Daniel  Doty  was  an 
early  preacher  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  an  early  settler  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  county.  He  was  eccentric  in  his  manner, 
rather  illiterate,  but  master  of  a  rude,  efiective  oratorv  that  com- 
mnnded  the  respect  of  even  the  more  educated.  lie  Avas  a  fre(|uent 
preacher  in  the  court  house,  and  was  supjiortcd  largely  by  those  who 
Avere  not  memb-.'rs  of  any  church.  These  denominations  are  both 
well  represented  in  the  county  at  ])resent.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  have  places  of  worship  in  the  Kiblcr  neighborhood,  at  Pleas- 
ant Kidge,  Pose  Hill,  Yale,  at  West  Liberty  and  Xewton.  The 
latter  is  the  older  organization;  has  a  neat,  framed  church  building, 
and  a  strong,  tliri\  iiig  inembershii).     Besides  the  organizations  rep- 


HISTOKV    OF   .lASI'KK    rolMV 


451 


resented  hy  these  church  hiiildinirs,  the  Mt'thodist  Church  has  several 
appointments  :ib!)ut  the  county  in  various  schoolhouses.  A  Mission- 
ary Bai)tist  Chm-ch  was  oriranizcd  in  Wilh)\v  Hill  Township  April 
15,  l;S5N.  Aniouii-  the  original  nicnibers  were  James  and  Sarah 
McConnell,  James  an<l  Xerlin  la  lIopi)cr,,  James  and  Elizabidh  Stew- 
art, W.  C.  and  L.  A.  Wilson,  Jessie  and  S'vina  Brown,  Nancy 
Miller,  ^^'.  F.  Christie  and  others.  A  place  of  worship  was  begun 
before  the  war.  but  it  Avas  never  tinished.  Their  present  structure 
was  erected  in  1875.  The  church  numbers  about  sixty  members. 
There  is  another  organization  of  this  denomination  in  North  ]\Iuddy. 
The  United  Brethren  in  Christ  have  a  church  in  Crooked  Creek 
Township,  whic-h  was  organized  in  18;is,  with  ten  members.  No 
reo-ular  place  of  Avorship  was  Iniilt,  however,  until  isSl.  It  numbers 
some  sixty  persons  in  its  memborship.  The  Christian  Church  has 
several  organizations  in  the  county;  the  Universalists  have  one  at 
Rose  Hill;  the '-Cliurch  of  Christ"  at  the  northern  boundary  of 
Wade  Township;  the  Quakers  or  Society  of  Friends  in  Fox  Town- 
ship: and  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Newton.  AVith  the  exceptions 
noted,  the  church  influence  was  established  in  Jasper  County  about 
1850.  Itinerants  and  chance  preachers  held  services  earlier,  and 
some  more  or  less  permanent  organizations  were  formed  here  a 
tew  years  earlier,  but  these  met  not  only  iudiflerence  but  active  op- 
position from  a  considerable  number.  The  change  has  been  gradual 
but  etlcctive,  and  while  the  county  does  not  appear  as  favorably  in 
church  statistics  as  some  others,  the  improvement  in  this  respect  is 
rapidly  progressing,  and  as  the  farming  community  becomes  more 
wealthv,  more  and  finer  edifices  Avill  b(>  erected. 


THE    SCHOOLS. 


The  basis  of  the  school  system  in  Illinois  is  the  Act  of  Congress 
donating  a  section  in  each  Congressional  township  for  the  support 
of  free  public  schools.  The  ordinance  of  1787  declared  knoAvledge, 
in  connection  with  religion  and  morality,  "to  be  necessary  to  the 
good  government  and  happiness  of  manUind,"  and  enjoined  that 
'-schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  b?  forever  encouraged." 
Accordino-lv,  Congress,  in  the  Enabling  A't  for  this  State,  April  18, 
1818,  appropriated  three  per  cent  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  sales  ot 
the  i)ublic  lands  lying  within  her  limits,  for  the  encouragement  of 
learning,  one-sixteenth  part  thereof  to  b;'  ex(dusively  b3stowed  on 
a  collci^e  or  university.  Two  townships,  one  then  and  one  sometime 
prior,  were  also  donated  for  founding  and  maintaining  a  seminary 


452  HISTOR"i'    OF   JASPER    CO  IN  TV. 

of  learning.  Tlie  procueds  of  the  3-per-cent  fmul  and  the  sales  of 
the  seminary  lands  were  blended  in  183.),  and  borrowed  by  the  State 
at  6  per  cent,  the  interest  to  be  annually  distributed  for  school  pur- 
poses. In  184.5,  the  receipts  of  the  proceeds  of  the  3-per-cent  school 
fund  were  suspended  for  a  time,  owing  to  the  embarrassed  condition 
of  the  tinances.  This  State,  like  many  others,  had  stopped  paying 
interest  on  her  public  debt,  and  Congress,  by  resolution,  ordered  the 
3-per-cent  fund  to  be  withheld  from  them  and  applied  toward  the 
payment  of  interest  on, bonds  held  jn  trust  by  the  (jreneral  Govern- 
ment. The  free  school  system  entered  upon  in  185.5,  however,  marks 
the  initial  movement  toward  the  present  eftective  system  of  the 
State.  The  right  of  the  Stute  to  maintiiin  such  a  system  is  founded 
upon  the  fact  that  when  ignorance  predominates,  vice  and  crime  are 
its  inseparable  accompaniments,  and  that  by  education  the  masses 
will  be  elevated,  society  b3netited,  oftensss  lessened  an  1  good  gov- 
ernment promoted. 

Under  the  present  law  there  are  four  territorial  divisions,  the 
•  State,  the  county,  the  township  and  the  district,  the  latter  only  being 
of  variable  extent.  The  township  is  identical  with  the  Congressional 
township  established  by  the  Government  surveys.  The  "  district " 
is  a  term  of  variable  meaning  as  to  territorial  extent,  conveying  in 
itself  no  detinite  idea  of  the  aiuount  of  land  embraced  in  ifci  limits. 
It  is  in  area  just  what  the  Township  Trustees  see  fit  to  make  it.  The 
officer  for  the  State  is  a  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
who  has  charge  of  the  whole  system,  Avith  the  necessary  executive 
powers.  For  the  county  there  is  a  County  Superintendent  of  S.'hools 
who  is  invested  with  the  general  supervision  of  schools  and  school 
business  of  the  county;  he  examines  and  licenses  teachers,  and  is  a 
strong  power  in  molding  the  character  of  the  public  schools.  For 
the  township,  a  board  of  three  trustees  are  elected,  who  have  special 
charo^e  of  establishino-  and  chamriuS'  school  districts,  and  the  appor- 
tionment  of  the  school  fund.  In  the  district  aboard  of  three  direct- 
or are  elected,  who  eniph)y  and  pay  all  teachers;  provide  and  furnish 
all  schoolhouses  and  grounds;  levy  such  taxes  as  may  be  necessary 
to  support  the  schools  and  defray  incidental  expenses,  and  attend 
generally  to  all  school  business  for  their  district. 

The  permanent  funds  for  the  support  of  the  schools  are  derived, 
besides  the  3-per-cent  fund  above  mentioned,  from  the  Surplus  Rev- 
enue Fund,  which  was  received  by  the  State  from  the  Ganeral  Gov- 
ernment under  President  Jackson's  administration.  This  was  the 
balance  in  the  National  treasurv  after  the  extinction  t>f  the  National 


HLSTOin     OF   .lASPEU    COl'NTY' 


453 


debt,  the  slmre  of  Illinois  amounting  to  $3;3:),')S>2.32;  the  Somiuaiy 
Fund,  arisin.ir  from  the  sale  of  the  seminary  lands,  amonntin,"-  to 
$59,838.72;  the  County  Fund,  beinii-  the  surplus  of  the  State  Fund 
divided  among  the  eounties  under  the  act  of  February  7,  1835,  but 
since  repealed,  amounting  to  §30!),81>y;  the  Township  Fund,  being 
the  jiet  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  one-sixteenth,  or  school  section 
in  each  toAvnship,  amounting  to  something  over  $4,000,000;  the  State 
Tax  Fund,  arising  from  a  levy  of  two  mills  on  every  dollar's  valua- 
tion of  taxjible  property  in  the  State,  producing  over  a  million  dol- 
lars per  annum;  District  Tax  Fund,  arising  from  a  special  local  tax 
in  the  respective  districts  of  the  State,  which  reaches  a  varying  sum, 
between  five  and  six  millions;  and  from  tines  and  forfeitures,  collected 
by  Justices  of  the  Peace,  et.  ah,  and  amounts  to  a  varying  sum 
from  nine  to  tifteen  thousand  dollars.  The  total  amount  of  these 
funds  reaches  an  amount  of  upwards  of  ten  millions  of  dollars  an- 
nually. 

The  .school  interests  of  Jasper  County  developed  slowly,  and  it 
was  not  imtil  187(j  that  they  began  to  take  mnk   svith  tlio.se  of  the 
surrounding  counties.     The  first  district  was  estai)lished  in  March, 
1838,  and  included   Townships  (J  and  7   in   Range  9,  and  included 
seventy-two  .scjuari'  miles.     The  schoolliouse  was  then  in   Newton, 
and  was  used  for  school  purposes,  court  and  church.     It  was  a  little 
log  Iniildiiig.  and  now,  weather-boarded  so  as  almost  to  lose  its 
identity,  serves  as  a  m-irble  cutter's  shop.  A  The  early  schools  were 
of  the  sul)scription  sort,  where  tha  children   learned  the  rudiments 
of  a  pioneer  education,  aptly  describe;!  in  the  "lloosier  S-hoolmaster" 
as  "  lickin"  and  larnin'."     As  the  county  settled  ui),  and  communities 
b3gan  to  tbrm  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  schools  were  main- 
tained in  each  neighborhood   until  the  free  school  system   of   the 
present  gave  freer  access  to  the  civilizing  influence  of  education. 
In  1855,  T.  J.  Martin  was  one  of  the  directors  in  the  Newton  district. 
Up  to  this  time  a  single-storied  building  had  served  the  purposes  of 
schoolroom,  and  even  this  was  so  dilapidate!  as  to  create  apprehen- 
sions in  regard  to  the  saf(>ty  of  the  children.     xMr.  Martin  determined 
to  secure  a  better  building,  and  partly  by  his  exertions  and  i)artly 
by  his  own  money,  a  two-story  frame  schoolliouse  was  secured.    This 
was  consider(,'d  by  a  majority  of  the  patrons  as  a  very  extravagant 
project     It  was  confi  lently  predicted  that  Newton  woukl  never  have 
pupils  enough  to  fill  it,  and  when   the  directors   went  further  and 
hired  two  la^ly  teachers  at  $25  i^er  month  each,  the  indignant  surprise 
of  the  community  could  bo  restrained  no  longer.     The  County  Super- 


454  HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY. 

iiitcndent  of  that  time  ronionstrated  with  them  on  such  oxtrav- 
aofance,  pictured  the  bankruptcy  that  was  sure  to  follow,  and  cited 
the  fact  that  his  wife,  when  a  girl,  worked  for  7')  cents  and  $1  a 
week.  But  it  did  not  convince  the  directors  of  error,  and  the  event 
proved  that  Martin  and  his  backers  were  in  the  riulit  way.  In  the 
fall  of  1876,  the  present  brick  structure  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  some 
$6,000;  it  has  five  departments,  under  the  instruction  of  six  teachers. 

However  advantiigoous  the  school  S3'^stem  may  b3,  it  requires  an 
appreciative  administration  to  achieve  the  highest  results.  This 
seems  to  have  been  lacking  in  Jasper  County  up  to  this  date,  and 
in  September,  1876,  the  subject  was  thoroughly  agitated  through  the 
count}'  })apers.  One  writer  revicAvs  the  subject  as  follows:  "  Let 
us  find  out  the  causes  why  the  schools  of  Jasper  County  are  not  in 
a  better  condition.  The  countv  was  oriijinally  settled  bv  emi^'ration 
from  a  section  where  popular  education  was  never  favored.  The 
county  has  never,  until  the  election  of  the  present  incumbent,  been 
blessed  with  a  practical  teacher  for  the  ofiice  of  County  Superintend- 
ent. Our  county-seat  is  without  a^high  school,  and  when  the  heart 
is  rotten,  what  can  be  expected  of  the  members?  We  have  over 
fifty-three  teachers  with  a  second-grade  certificate,  and  thirteen  with 
a  first-class.         *         *         * 

"  We  observe  in  the  report  of  the  State  Superintendent  that  the 
number  of  days  designated  by  the  Countv  Boards  in  the  State  are 
from  2")  to  200  days.  Oar  Board  allows  the  County  Seperintendent 
sixty  days.  Jasper  has  95  schools  in  operation,  134  teachers,  4,897 
school  children,  no  libraries,  and  in  1874,  paid  the  sum  of  $16,276  to 
teachers.  How  can  the  County  Superintendent  perform  his  duties 
prescribed  by  law,  when  the  days  designated  by  the  Board  are  insuf- 
ficient':' H-^  must  neglect  his  work,  violate  his  oath  of  office,  and 
become  liable  on  his  official  bond.  *  *  *  The  Supervisors  have 
the  power  in  their  own  hands  to  improve  and  cultivate,  intollectually 
and  morally,  the  character  of  our  youth. 

"All  other  counties  in  the  State  donate  from  $50  to  $100  for  the 
Tea^'hers'  Institute,  and  when  our  Board  can  furnish  money  to  the 
Agricultural  Fair  to  improve  mules  and  cattle,  we  can  not  see  why  it 
cannot  follow  the  example  of  other  Boards  in  the  State.  \\\  the  dili- 
gent visitation  of  the  schools  by  the  Countv  Superintendent,  lays 
the  power  to  extinguish  all  second-grade  ccrtiticates,  and  soon  we 
shall  fiiul  the  competent  teacher  awakening  the  sympathy  of  the 
parents  for  our  system  of  education,  and  without  compulsion  the 
children  n'Ufularly  attendino;  the  schools." 


MiSTOia   or  .j.v.'^i'j:!:  colntv 


4-3.> 


Mucli  liMs  been  done  to  improve  this  state  of  things  in  the 
county  (hiriiiir  the  past  seven  years,  hut  there  is  still  room  for  im- 
provement. The  irrade  of  the  schools  has  been  wonderfully  improved; 
there  are  two  graded  schools,  one  at  Newton  and  one  at  Saint  Marie, 
but  no  high  school  in  either  place.  From  the  repoi-ts  of  the  County 
Superintendent,  the  followin<>-  statistics  are  compiled: 


Year 

1801 

1864             1865 

1866 

1808 

1869 

Wtiolo  nuinl)er  of  districts    ..     ..-.  . 

65 

50 

2 

S            22 

$             17 

$        9..37.3 

3,021 

79                78 

54               63 

5                  4 

$        23.19  $        27 .32 

g        17.04  $        19.09 

$11,084.53  $12,442.17 

3,322           3.840 

as 

74 
11 

84 

74 

7 

80 

Whole    uuiiiher  of  schoolliousee 

Whole  niiiuber  of  sclioolliou-ies  erected 
Average  paid  male  teachers  i)er  month. 
Average  paid  female  teachers  per  month 
Whole  amt.  e.'c'd  for  school   purposes 
Whole  number  in  attendance    

71 
2 

$16,46{.'42 
4,798 

$19,27C"67 
4,. 538 

$15,866!45 
4,03 

Number  of  brick  schoolhouses 

Value  of  school  property 

Year 

1870 

85 

81 

3 

1871 

1872 

1874 

1880 

Whole  number  of  districts 

Whole  number  of  schoolhouses... 

Whole  number  of  schoolhouses  erected 

S5 

8;i 

2 

95 

85 

0 

94 

80 

6 

$        83  83 

$        24.44 

$25,200  00 

4,949 

24 

60 

2 

100 

101 

0 

Average  paid  male  teachers  per  month     

Average  paid  female  teachers  per  month 

Whole  amount  expended  for  school  purposes 

Whole  number  in  attendance. 

Number  of  log  schoolhouses ..   

$  17,2il2.5.3 

3,894 

38 

42 

1 
$20,500.75 

$18,509.79 
1,975 

923,746.56 

3.732 

28 

54 

3 

$26,726.61 
4,449 

8 

Number  of  frame  schoolhouses 

85 

8 

Value  of  school  property  --- 

$43,2C.6.60 

In  18'S2,  the  statistics  show  two  graded  schools;  income  from 
distributable  funds, $8,332.22;  total  receipts,  $34,929.10;  paid  teachers, 
$15,817. 2i);  for  new  schoolhouses,  $3,802.32;  for  repairs,  $1,814.72; 
for  furniture,  $1,29(5.83;  for  books  for  poor  children,  $4(5;  for  dis- 
trict libraries,  $112.07.  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  harmonize  the 
discrepancies  in  these  statistics.  The  reports  have  been  faithfully 
copied  and  they  doubtless  give  the  main  facts  m  the  case.  The 
schools  of  the  county  have  made  rai)id  advancement  in  the  last  few 
years,  and  are  now  nearly  abreast  of  the  most  improved. 

BENEVOLENT    SOCIETIES. 

The  great  benevolent  societies  of  the  world  have  representa- 
tive lodges  here.  The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  was  the 
first  to  esfciblish  itself  here,  Newton  Lodge,  No.  1(51,  being  chartered 
October  12,  1854.  Among  the  charter  members  were  T-  J.  Martin, 
A.  M.  Peterson,  Benjamin  ]Miller,  John  Kern,  Armstead  Ward,  David 
Scott,  William  Nigh,  and  W.  H.  Webl).  This  Order  has  been  fairly 
successful  here,  though  none  of  the  principal  Orders  have  attained 
the  growth  found  in  many  places.  The  Order  of  Free  and  Accei)ted 
Ma.sons,  came  to  Newton  second  in  order  of  time  and  established 
Xcwton    Lodge,  No.  21(5,  by  a  charter   dated    October,  185(3.     The 


456  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COl  NTY. 

charter  members  were  D.  B.  Brown,  E.  J.  Tichenor,  A.  M.  Peterson, 
John  Jackson,  A.  C  Burford,  Johnson  Cohvel,  J.  I.  Whitney,  and  oth- 
ers, the  t'oreg-oins:  persons  tilling  the  first  term  of  the  respective  offices 
in  the  regnlar  order  as  named.  A  Royal  Arch  Chapter  was  chartered 
under  the  name  of  Newton  Chapter,  No.  109,  October  4,  18()7,  with 
T.  J.  Martin,  Simpson  Johnson,  John  AV.  Wilshead,  James  LrwIs, 
S.  J.  Mann,  C  ^l  AVakefield,  G.  AV.  Pritchard,  John  Winterode,  W. 
Mayo,  W.  H.  Eidson,  and  Joseph  Cooper,  as  charter  members.  A 
Chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star  was  chartered  here  on  February  9, 1871, 
as  Mayo  Chapter,  No.  54.  Of  this,  Mrs.  T.J.  Martin,  Martha  J. 
BroAvn,  L.  Brooks,  S.  B.  Brown,  Mary  jNIorrell,  Sue  Staley,  and  An- 
o-eline  Harris,  were  charter  members  and  first  officers  of  the  Chapter. 
The  ]Masonic  Order  has  prospered  here,  and  while  it  has  not  grown  to 
a  laro-e  membership  in  the  various  degrees,  a  good  interest  in  the  work 
has  been  maintained  and  comfortable  rooms  secured  and  maintained. 
The  dirterent  organizations  named,  occupy  the  same  room  on  differ- 
ent eveninofs.  It  is  situated  in  the  second  story  over  the  store  on  the 
corner  of  Jorden  and  Van  Buren  streets,  and  while  not  expensively 
furnished,  is  comfortably  fitted  up  and  provided  with  all  the  para- 
phernalia of  the  Orders.  The  American  Order  of  United  Workmen 
has  a  Lodge  here,  as  also  the  Knights  of  Honor. 

The  Mutual  Protection  Societ}^  is  an  organization  of  the  Medi- 
cal Fraternity  of  the  county,  originated,  as  its  name  suggests,  for 
the  protection  of  its  members.  The  Society  was  organized  February 
20,  1880,  though  the  subject  was  agitated  for  some  three  or  four  years 
previously  by  Dr.  Picquet,  and  others.  The  object  of  the  organization, 
as  set  forth  in  its  constitution,  is  "to  protect  its  members  against  indi- 
viduals who  make  a  practice  of  going  from  one  physician  to  another 
without  paying  any  doctor  bills;  to  try  to  collect  doubtful  bills  by 
such  laws  as  the  Society  may  hereafter  enact;  to  promote  harmony 
and  good  feeling  among  its  members;  and  to  promote  mutual  im- 
provement in  the  science  and  practice  of  medicine  in  all  its  branches, 
by  papers,  reports  of  cases,  discussions,"  etc.,  etc.  The  laws  of  the 
Society  are  very  strict,  and  have  thus  far  proven  of  value  to  the 
membership,  which  includes  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  profession  in  the 
county. 

Post  No.  158,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Department  of  Illi- 
nois, was  organized  at  Rose  Hill,  Jasper  Co.,  Ill,  with  the  following 
soldier-boys  as  charter  membeis:  William  and  A.  Hammer,  R.  H. 
Brown,  M.  S.  Cowger,  ^^'iIliam  A.  Powell,  John  W.  Lee,  William 
D.  Cummins,  Henry  Sowers,  ,1.  L   Elder,  A.  McGahan,  T.  R.  Jones, 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  457 

A.  J.  Goodwin,  Georoe  W.  Sutton,  W.  A.  Jones,  E.  J.  Filer,  Jona- 
than B.  Cowger,  Jr.,  Charles  P.  Koss,  J.  W.  Swick,  and  C  E.  Gar- 
wood. Chai-ter  was  oranted  October  11,  1882,  when  they  proceeded 
to  an  electioii  of  officers  with  the  following  result:  Commander, 
M.  S.  Cowger;  S.  V.  Commander,  G.  W.  Sutton;  J.  V.  Commander, 
T.  B.  Jones;  Chaplain,  J.  L.  Elder;  Surgeon,  Dr.  W.  A.  Jones; 
Officer  of  the  Day,  W.  D.  Cunmiins;  Officer  of  the  Guard,  R.  H. 
Brown;  Quartermaster.  J.  W.  Lee;  Adjutant,  A.  ^IcGahan;  Ser- 
geant-Major.  A.  J.  Goodwin;  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  Charles  P.  Ross.  The 
Post  now  has  fifty-nine  active  members;  is  in  a  very  flourishing  con- 
dition, its  hours  of  meeting  at  S  o'clock  the  first  and  third  Saturday 
evenings  of  each  month. 

June  20,  1883,  the  following  persons,  old  soldiers  of  the  last 
American  war,  held  a  meeting  at  Yale,  for  the  purpose  of  organiz- 
ing a  Post  of  the  G.  A.  R.:  S.  D.  Odell,  W.  W.  Chapman,  L.  S. 
Ryan,  Jonathan  Lenex,  A.  J.  Cramer,  C  L.  Comstock,  J.  M.  Bag- 
well, Jesse  H.  King,  William  Ayers,  George  Clark,  David  H.  Hard- 
ley,  and  James  Thompson.  The  charter  was  issued  June,  1883,  the 
Post  to  be  No.  272,  and  named  Coblentz  Post,  Department  of  Illi- 
nois. The  election  for  officers  resulted  as  follows:  Commander,  S- 
D.  Odell;  Senior  Vice-Commander,  L.  S.  Ryan;  Junior  Vice-Com- 
mander, W.  W.  Chapman;  Officer  of  the  Day,  C  L.  Comstock; 
Quartermaster,  George  Clark;  Sergeant-]Major,  A.  J.  Cramer;  Chap- 
lain, Jonathan  Lenex;  Adjutant,  T.  S.  Olell.  The  Post  was  begun 
with  seventeen  members,  is  in  good  condition  and  fast  filling  up. 


458  HISTOItV    OF   .T.VM'EII    COINTV. 


JASPER  COUNTY  IN  TlIK  WAR. 

The  .seujitorial  cainpaian  of  1X58,  M'itli  the  succeeding  Presidcii- 
tiul  contest  in  18l)0,  in  Aviiich  the  great  citizen  of  Illinois  had  l)een 
the  i)roniinent  figure,  served  to  fix  the  undivid«Ml  attention  of  this 
county  with  the  rest  of  the  Stiite,  upon  the  political  storm  Avhi«li 
seemed  to  be  gatliering  with  portentious  mutterings  over  the  south- 
ern portion  of  the  country.  It  is  dou))tful  whether  hope  or  fear  pre- 
dominated in  the  minds  of  the  people  as  the  day  approached  when 
Lincoln  was  to  be  inaugurated.  A  i)art  hoped  for  a  compromise; 
others  were  willing  that  the  South  should  suecee(].  while  the  larger 
portion  hoped  and  expected  that  iu  the  determined  grasp  of  the  Presi- 
dent, the  serpent  of  secession  would  be  strangled,  as  Jackson  had 
done  before  in  the  case  of  the  "  nuUifiers."  It  Avas  in  this  not  uncom- 
fortable frame  of  mind  that  the  reverberations  of  Fort  Sumter's  guns 
assailed  the  ears  of  the  whole  North.  Treason's  guns  had  given  the 
signal  of  war,  and  it  was  this  explosion  echoing  aroimd  the  world, 
that  united  here  the  various  elements,  and  made  men  supporters  or 
non-supporters  of  armed  resistance  to  the  rcbelliou.  The  niceties  of 
political  distinctions  were  not  so  thoroughly  lost  sight  of  in  Jasper 
County  as  in  many  other  places.  The  two  parties  held  their  forces 
in  pretty  strict  allegiance,  ami  the  leaders  of  both  organizations 
found  no  difficulty  in  committing  the  major  part  of  their  followers 
to  the  support  of  the  various  legislative  follies  and  platform  eccen- 
tricities of  those  disturbed  years. 

Fort  Sumter  capitulated  on  Saturday,  April  i;].  1  si;],  and  on 
the  I.")tli,  the  Secretary  of  War  telegraphed  to  the  Governor  of  Illi- 
nois, the  a[)portionment  of  that  State  under  the  President's  call  for 
7.'),00()  men  to  put  down  the  insurrection  at  Charleston.  The  call 
was  made  under  the  authority  granted  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  call  out  the  militia  when  the  laws  of  the  general  govern- 
ment were  opposed,  ami  the  execution  thereof  obstructed,  and  recpiired 
the  Governor  of  Illinois  to  "detach  from  the  militia''  i'l')  officers  and 
4,4;)8  men.  The  militia  thus  called  upon  had  no  actual  existence  in 
this  State.  Here  and  there  through  the  State  were  lialf-filhMl  com- 
panies of  holiday  troops,  but  even  these  in  a  mMJority  of  cases  had  no 
efficient  organization  or  ecpiipm 'ut.    On  April  l.'ith.  the  L'gislaturo 


HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COUNTY.  459 

was  called  to  convene  on  the  23cl,  and  an  order  was  issued  from  the 
Adjutant-General's  otfice  to  the  various  militia  otKcers  to  hold  them- 
ielves  in  readiness  for  actual  service.  On  the  following  day  an  order 
was  issued  for  the  immediate  orsfanization  of  the  six  rei^imcnts  called 
for  by  the  general  government.  The  response  from  every  [)art  of  the 
State  was  prompt  and  unanimous,  and  in  ten  days  over  10,000  men 
tendered  tlieir  services  to  the  government  for  the  defense  of  the 
Union. 

The  response  from  Jasper  County  to  the  Governor's  call  was 

prompt  and  enthusiastic  on  the  part  of  the  people.  The  Board  ot 
Supervisors,  on  May  1.5, 1861,  in  response  to  the  petition  of  many  citi- 
zens, authorized  the  Supervisor  in  each  township  to  render  such  aid 
to  the  families  of  volunteers  as  they  might  need.  The  Supervisor  issued 
his  order  on  the  County  Clerk,  who  drew  on  the  treasury.  This  rather 
liberal  order  of  things  was  summarily  checked  in  the  following  Sep- 
tember, and  soldiers'  families  assisted  as  the  other  poor  of  the  county. 
This  may  have  lacked  an  element  of  patriotic  gratitude,  but  it  was 
at  least  a  more  prudent  arrangement  than  the  first  order.  No  bounty 
was  oftcrcd  to  volunteers  until  Feljruary,  18G5,  when  a  project  was 
suggested  of  levying  a  tax  to  pay  $300  for  each  person  enlisting  under 
the  call  for  300,000  men.  Such  an  order  was.  passed  and  rescinded, 
and  this  state  of  vacillation  was  maintained  until  March  4th,  when  an 
order  was  passed  which  "  offered  and  appropritited  to  each  and  every 
person  that  has  heretofore  enlisted  and  been  sworn  into  the  military 
or  naval  service  of  the  United  States,  and  credited  to  Jasper  County, 
III.,  since  December  19,  18(j4,  under  the  present  call  for  300,000  men, 
until  this  call  be  filled,  the  sum  of  $330,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  military 
fund  raised  under,  and  pursuant  to  an  act  passed  February  10,  186.5." 
The  assigned  quota  under  this  call  was  eighty  men,  but  how  many 
received  this  bounty,  or  how  much  was  paid  out  in  the  assistance  ot 
soldiers'  families,  cannot  be  ascertained,  as  nos[)ecial  record  has  been 
kept,  nor  were  such  reports  forwarded  to  the  Sfcite  Office. 

The  ladies  of  Newton  were  early  to  organize  for  the  relief  and 
comfort  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field.  The  town  was  but  a  hamlet  then, 
and  a  sewing  society  consisting  of  some  eight  or  ten  ladies,  changed  the 
object  of  their  work  and  prepared  articles  for  the  hospitals  and  camps. 
Their  first  work  was  on  material  i)urchased  by  their  own  contribu- 
tions; then  the  merchants  were  solicited  for  donations  and  others  for 
money.  The  society  was  inilependent  in  its  organization  and  sent  its 
donations  to  the  volunteers  from  Jasper  direct,  or  to  Saint  Louis  or 
other  points. 

28 


4»30  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

Eighth  Infantry. — The  law  provided  that  in  token  of  respect  to 
the  Illinois  regiments  in  the  Mexican  War,  the  six  regiments  organ- 
ized under  the  first  call  of  the  President  should  begin  their  desig- 
nating numbers  at  seven,  and  that  these  regiments  when  organized 
should  constitute  the  "  First  Brigade  Illinois  Volunteers."  Early  in 
April,  18(51,  a  company  was  raised  in  R'chland  and  Jasper  counties, 
which  rendezvoused  at  Mattoon,  and  subsecpiently  became  Company 
D,  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Infantry.  On  the  25th  day  of  April,  18(51, 
the  Eighth  Reofiment  was  Hrst  orsfanized  for  the  three  months' serv- 
ice,  Colonel  Oglcsby  commanding.  A  contest  for  rank  and  senior- 
ity arose  between  the  Seventh  and  Eighth,  both  being  organized  on 
the  same  day.  This  contest  was  iinally  ended  by  according  to  Col- 
onel Cook  th^firH  number  (seven)  as  the  numbar  of  his  regiment, 
with  the  second  rank  as  Colonel;  Colonel  Oglesby  taking  the  second 
number  for  his  regiment,  with  tha  first  rauk  as  Colonel. 

Durino'  its  three  months'  term  of  service  it  was  stationed  at 
Cairo,  111.,  where,  at  the  expiration  of  its  time  it  was  mustered  out 
The  regiment  was  immediately  reorganized  for  the  three  years'  serv- 
ice, flio  term  of  enlistment  dating  from  July  2.5,  1861. 

The  regiment  was  stationed  at  Cairo,  111.,  until  October,  IS'ol, 
when  it  was  ordered  to  Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  where  it  was  stationed 
until  February  2,  1862,  with  the  exception  of  occasional  excursions 
to  Cape  Girardeau,  Commerce,  Bloomfidd  and  Norford,  Missouri,  and 
Paducah  and  Blandville,  Kentucky,  and  joined  in  the  feint  on  Colum- 
bus, in  January,  1862.  In  February  following,  it  embarked  for  the 
Tennessee  River.  On  the  5th,  it  met  the  enemy  near  Fort  Henry,  and 
drove  them.  On  the  Uth,  it  was  in  advance  of  the  attack  on  Fort 
Donelson,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Rhoads,  Col.  Oglesby  com- 
manding^ the  brigade.  On  the  15th,  the  Eiohth  met  the  enemy,  who 
were  attempting  to  cut  their  way  out  of  the  fort,  and  for  three  hours 
and  a  half  withstood  the  shock  of  the  enemy,  although  sutfering 
terribly.  Its  loss  during  this  time  was  57  killed,  19 1  wounded,  and 
10  missing.  March  (),  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Savannah,  and  a 
few  days  afterward  to  Pittsburgh  Landing.  On  Sunday  morning, 
April  6,  the  regiment  had  in  line  •2:^  otficers  and  453  men,  and  was 
commanded  by  Capt.  James  M.  Ashniore.  In  the  first  engagement 
Cai)t.  Ashmore  was  severely  wounded,  and  Capt.  W.  ^I.  Harvey, 
next  in  command,  killed.  The  command  fell  upon  Capt.  R.  11 
Sturgcss,  who  nobly  led  the  regiment  during  the  rest  of  the  fight 
Toward  the  close  of  the  se^^ond  day  the  regiment,  together  with  the 
Ei<^hteenth  Missouii,  was  ordered  to  take  a  rebel  battery  in    front. 


IIISTOnV    OF   JASPKU   COUNTV.  461 

The  iKittfi-y  was  charged  aiul  taken,  the  irimner.s  l»cin£r  kiUe;!  at  their 
posts.     The  loss  at  Sliih^h  was  2i!  killed, !».")  wounded,  and  1 1  missing. 

The  regiment  went  through  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  the 
«iege  of  Corinth,  and  after  the  evacuation  was  ordered  to  Bethel, 
and  thence  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  where  it  remained  until  November  10, 
ISllii,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Lagrange,  Tenn.  Novembor  28,  it 
pushed  as  far  as  Water  Valley,  in  Mississi[)pi,  and  returned  to  La- 
grange after  a  long,  hard  march.  The  regiment  broke  camp  at 
Tallahatchie  Uiver,-,January  4,  18()3,  and  marched  to  (xrand  Junction, 
arriving  on  the  9th  inst.  On  the  12th,  it  was  ordered  toward  Mem- 
phis; camped  five  days  at  Lafayette,  Tenn.,  and  was  joined  here  by  Col. 
J.  p.  Vast,  who  had  been  a  prisoner  since  the  battle  of  Donelson. 
On  the  19th  of  ffanuary  the  regiment  marched  into  Memphis,  and 
encamped  on  the  llornando  road.  February  22,  it  embarked  for 
Like  Providence,  and^went  into  camp  on  the  lake  shore,  but  subse- 
quently, on  account  of  high  water,  moved'to  15erry  Landing.  April 
12,  the  regiment  went  to  Milliken's  Bond.  On  the  25th,  the  regi- 
ment started  with  the  army,  and  passing  through  Richmond,  struck 
the  river  at  Perkins'  Landing,  crossing  over  on  the  night  of  the  30th. 
May  1,  18(j3,  at  noon,  the  regiment  reached  Thompson's  Hill  and 
took  part  in  the  fight;  marched  to  Utica,  and  on  the  12th  met  the 
€nemy  near  Raymond.  In  this  battle  the  regiment  did  distinguished 
service,  relieving  the  center,  which  was  hard  i)uslied,  at  a  most  crit- 
ical moment,  and  gallantly  driving  the  enemy.  On  the  14th  of  May, 
the  Eighth  took  part  in  the  capture  of  Jackson,  and  on  the  lOth, 
in  the  hard-fought  bittle  of  Ciiampion  Hills.  In  this  fiofht  the 
Eiirhth  and  One  Hundred  and  Twentv- Fourth  took  a  battery  of  six 
guns — horses,  caissons  and  all,  capturing  and  killing  artillery  men  at 
their  guns;  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  crossed  Big  Black  River,  and 
on  the  19th  drove  the  enemy  into  his  works  at  Vicksburg.  On  the 
22d,  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  terrible  assault  on  Fort  Hell. 
During  the  siege  the  line  of  the  regiment  was  within  three  hundred 
yards  of  Fort  Fisher,  and  it  was  b3tween  this  line  and  Fort  Hell  that 
the  interview  bstween  Gans.  Grant  and  Pemb^rton  was  held. 

August  21,  18G3,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  J.  A.  Shutz, 
the  regiment  march;^!  to  Monro?  and  returned,  arriving  September  3. 
In  the  following  month  the  regimont  moved  with  ths  Sjventcenth 
Army  Corps,  under  G.^n.  McPIierson,  toward  Canton,  returning  on 
the  I'Sth  of  that  month.  The  Eiiifhth  remained  at  Vicksburir  until 
February  3,  18(54,  when  it  commenced  the  Meridian  cami)aign  under 
Gin.  Sherman,  in  which  it  sustained  its  share  of  the  skirmishing  and 


462  HISTORY    OF    JASPER    COINTY. 

futio-iic     March  lU,  l-SiU,  the  regiment  re-eulisjied  uiul  was  sent  t<^ 
C:imp  Butler,  Illinois,  for  veteran  furlough,  returning  to  the  field 

in  June. 

July  1,  the  Eighth  left  Vicksburg  with  Gen.  Dennis'  conniiand 
for  Jackson,  which  place  was  occupied  on  the  .')th.  Returning  the 
following  day,  the  enemy  was  met  three  miles  from  Jackson,  and  a 
skirmish  ensued  which  lasted  until  dark.  On  the  following  day  the 
enemy  was  attacked  and  a  severe  engagement  followed,  the  Eighth 
losing  3  killed,  21  wounded  and  2  missing.  From  the  29th  of  July 
to  September  3,  the  regiment  engagCLl  in  the  Morganzia  expedition; 
September  3,  embarked  for  the  mouth  of  Whiter  River;  here  it  ar- 
rived on  the  8th,  and  remained  until  O'tober  18,  when  it  embarked 
for  Memphis,  Tenn.  After  remaining  at  Fort  Pickering  until  the 
29th,  the  regiment  returned  to  the  mouth  of  White  River,  and  on 
the  7th  of  November  proceeded  up  the  river  to  Duvall's  Blutf,  where 
it  remained  until  the  28th,  embarking  then  for  Memphis,  Tenn. 

On  January  1,  18()5,  the  regiment  left  Memphis  for  New  Orleans, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  4th,  and  was  stationed  at  Kenneville,  fifteei> 
miles  above  the  city.  In  the  following  month  the  regiment  moved 
to  Dauphin  Island,  and  from  thence  it  started,  March  17,  18(55,  to 
take  part  in  the  campaign  against  jNIobile.  For  eight  days  the  march 
was  through  almost  impassable  roads  to  the  head  of  the  bay,  and  on 
the  26th  encamped  near  Spanish  Fort  and  entrenched.  From  this 
time  until  March  30,  the  regiment  w^as  engaged  in  approaching  the 
fort,  losing  one  killed  and  three  wounded  in  the  operations.  The 
reo-iment  was  then  ordered  toward  Blakely,  Alabama,  and  on  the  3d 
of  April  proceeded  to  the  rear  of  the  line  of  investment,  doing  duty 
in  the  trenches  and  extending  saps  until  April  9,  when  the  regiment 
joined  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  works.  The  Eighth  did  gallant 
service,  and  was  first  to  plant  the  flag  on  the  works  in  its  vicinity. 
The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  (harge  was  10  killed  and  .')4 
wounded. 

On  the  1 2th  the  regiment  crossed  the  bay  and  marched  to  Mo- 
bile, remaining  there  until  May  2o;  on  the  27th,  embarked  for  Like- 
port,  and  on  the  29th  encamped  on  the  race-course  four  miles  above 
New  Orleans.  On  the  31st,  the  regimbnt  [)roceeded  up  the  Mississippi 
and  Red  rivers  to  Shreveport,  La.,  and  soon  afterward  to  Marshall, 
Texas.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  orders  were  received  to 
return  to  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  where  the  regiment  was  musterc;!  out 
of  the  service  May  4,  18:)(;,  and  ordered  to[Springfi;dd  for  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge. 


IirsTOItY    OK   .lASPKK    ('OINTV.  463 

Eh'ventli  hifantru, — This  rciiiinciit  was  imisteietl  in  at  Spriuir- 
fi.ild  April  ;>(),  1<S()1,  aii<l  Coiu[)anie.s  F  and  1  contained  a  number 
of  Jasper  County  volunteers.  Oa  May  5,  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Villa  Ridi>e,  in  this  State,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cairo.  In 
the  followini^  month  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Bird's  Point,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  where  the  regiment  served  out  its  term  of 
enlistment  in  garrison  and  field  duty.  While  not  seeing  any  active 
service  during  this  time,  the  regiment,  with  others  assembled  at  this 
iioint,  did  excellent  dutv  in  warding  off  the  danorer  which  the  over- 
whelming  forces  of  the  rebels  on  the  river  below  threatened,  and  at 
th(^  same  time  gained  that  disi-ipline  which  made  them  such  efficient 
soldiers  during  the  war.  Oa  July  30,  its  term  of  enlistment  hav- 
ing expired,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and  having 
re-entered  the  service  for  three  years,  it  was  on  the  following  day 
mustered  in.  The  old  numbsr  Avas  retained,  but  the  arrangement  of 
•companies  was  considerably  changed.  Th-j,  membership  of  the  regi- 
ment was  greatly  changed  as  well.  Out  of  916  mustered  out,  only 
'1'6%  were  mustered  in  ajrain  on  the  followins:  day,  but  durinof  the 
months  of  August,  September,  October  and  Novembi-r,  it  was  re- 
cruited to  the  numbsr  of  801  m^n.  During  this  time  the  reofiment 
doing  garrison  and  fisld  duty  participated  in  several  unimportant 
expeditions,  among  others  tlu;  one  to  Charleston,  Mo.,  wdicre  it  got 
into  a  s[)irited  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  February  2,  the  regiment 
•embarked  on  transports  for  Fort  Henry,  participating  in  the  cam- 
paign against  that  place,  and  on  the  nth  inst.  moved  toAvard  Fort 
Donelson.  Here  the  regiment  got  their  tivst  "baptism  of  fire."  The 
regiment  came  in  sight  of  the  fort  about  noon  of  the  12th,  and  here 
Wallace's  Brigade,  composed  of  the  Eleventh,  Twentieth,  Forty-Fifth 
and  Forty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  Taylor's  and  McAllister's  Batter- 
ies of  Light  Artillery  and  Col.  Dickey's  Cavalry,  halted  and  drew 
up  in  line  of  battle.  Col.  Oglesby's  Brigade  took  up  its  [)osition  on 
the  right  of  Wallace,  and  in  this  position  but  little  occurred  save 
■occasional  shots  at  the  enemy  and  a  change  of  position  until  the 
l.')th.  Grant  had  in  the  meantime  strengthened  his  line  of  invest- 
ment, so  that  but  little  hoi)e  of  esca^jc  remained  to  the  garrison. 
On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  therefore,  the  enemy  to  the  nundjor  of 
7,.')00  emerged  from  his  Avorks  and  in  separate  columns  hurliHl  him- 
■self  on  the  riii-ht  of  the  federal  line,  seekini«-  to  break  throuirh  and 
escape.  The  first  blow,  dealt  upon  Oglesby's  Brigade,  was  followed 
bya  second  on  Wallace's  Brigade  and  then  on  Morrison's  and  Mc- 
Arthur's  Brigades,  constituting  the  extreme  riirht.     A  member  of  the 


464  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY- 

reoriment  writes  of  this  enofairement:  "Tho  1-01)018  fouo^ht  woll,  but 
not  fairly.  Like  Indians,  they  souirht  shelter  of  stumps  and  trees. 
The  tirst  attack  on  the  Eleventh  regiment  was  made  by  a  regiment 
of  Mississippi  riflemen.  We  sufl'ered  them  to  advance  to  within  one 
hundred  yards,  when  we  opened  upon  them  with  terrible  eftect  and 
drove  them  back  to  their  trenches,  where  they  were  reinforced  and 
advanced  acfain,  this  time  within  fifty  yards,  but  were  asrain  forced 
to  retire.  We  sutt'ered  severely,  but  not  a  soldier  fell  back  unless 
wounded.  At  this  time  we  had  lost  about  eighty  men,  killed  and 
wounded.  The  rebels  withdrew  their  troops  from  our  front  and  con- 
centrated them  on  our  right,  and  yery  soon  wc  knew  by  the  firing 
that  Oglesby's  Brigade  was  giving  away.  It  proved  worse  than  we 
expected.  First  came  t\w  Eighteenth  in  full  retrejit,  followed  by 
the  rest  of  the  brigade.  By  great  exertion  Cob  Logan  rallied  the 
Thirty-First  on  our  right,  forming  two  sides  of  a  hollow  square,  and 
here  for  half  an  hour  these  two  regiments  held  the  enemy  in  check, 
the  Thirty-First  giving  way  and  rallying  twice,  only  to  retreat  in  utter 
confusion  at  last.  The  Eleventh  still  held  its  own,  Lieut.  Col.  Han- 
som, though  woimded,  remaining  cool  and  firm.  AVe  changed  our  front 
by  the  right  flank,  where  the  Thirty-First  had  been  under  a  most  gall- 
ing fire,  firing  as  w^e  moved  around  by  the  side-step,  until  ordered  to 
halt.  The  rebels,  exultant  at  the  retreat  of  the  Thirty-Fii-st,  pressed 
forward  to  within  forty  yards  of  our  line,  but  they  were  mistaken 
in  their  men,  and  soon  fell  back  to  a  ridge,  150  yards  distant,  leaving 
the  ground  strewn  with  their  dead  and  wounded. 

"Tliere  by  a  little  ravine  we  remained  for  half  an  hour,  fighting 
three  times  our  numl)3r,  outflanked  on  either  side,  waiting  for  rein- 
forcements which  did  not  come.  Suddenly  a  body  of  rebel  cavalry 
charged  across  the  ridge  on  our  left,  and  gained  our  rear.  There  was 
but  one  way  of  escape,  and  that  lay  through  the  body  of  cavahy, 
and  through  we  went,  the  bayonet  opening  the  way.  Two  hours 
afterward  the  remnant  of  our  regiment  drew  up  to  receive  Col.  Wal- 
lace, who,  being  in  command  of  the  brigade,  had  seen  us  but  once 
since  the  battle  begun.  It  was  no  fault  of  his  that  we  were  left  un- 
protected. When  Oglesby's  brigade  gave  way,  he  sent  an  order  to 
Col.  liansom  to  fall  back  on  the  Twentieth,  but  the  messenger  was 
killed.  The  tears  streamed  down  Col.  Wallace's  face  as  he  scanned 
the  regiment.  Over  fJOO  had  engaged  the  enemy,  and  11.")  muskets 
were  all  we  had  left  to  show.  Our  flag  still  Avaved  over  us,  though 
shot  to  ril)l)ons.  Early  next  morning  wc  marched  into  the  fort,  the 
Eleventh  bcino-  allowed  to  lead   the  van.  on   accotnit  of  its  having 


HISTORY    OF   JASI'EH    COIIN  TV.  465 

suffered  the  most  severely.     The  loss  in  this  rca^iment,  so  far  as  we 
can  learn,  is  329  killeil,  woundeti  and  missing." 

Early  in  March  the  regiment  went  via  Fort  Henry  to  Savan- 
nah, Tenn.,  and  thence  to  Pittsbnrg  Lmding,  where  it  took  part  in 
the  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh,  of  April  C.th  and  7th.  The  Eleventh, 
incorporate!  in  the  division  of  McClernand,  was  on  the  right  of  the 
Federal  line,  near  where  the  line  touched  the  lower  point  of  the 
river,  and  with  the  rest  of  the  division  supported  Sherman  in  the 
first  onset  of  th:it  memorable  l)attle.  Here  the  regiment  suffered 
cruelly,  as  they  did  in  the  second  day's  fight,  losing  twenty-seven 
killed  and  wounded  out  of  150  engaged.  After  participating  in  the 
protracted  siege  ot  Corinth  and  in  the  engagements  near  Trenton, 
Tenn.,  the  regiment  was  finally  ordered  back  to  Cairo  to  recruit. 
In  the  latter  part  of  August  the  Eleventh  proceeded  once  more  to 
the  front,  taking  part  in  the  various  expeditions,  reporting  in  the 
latter  part  of  November,  to  Gen.  Mc  Arthur,  at  Lagrange,  Tenn., 
TV  hen  it  was  assigned  to  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  During  the 
early  part  of  1863,  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  campaign  in  north- 
ern Mississippi;  later,  resting  for  a  time  in  Memphis,  it  was  assigned, 
in  February,  to  the  Seventeenth  Ai-my  Corps,  reinforced  by  a  con- 
Bolidation  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninth  Illinois,  and  ordered  to 
Vicksburg,  where  it  arrived  May  18.  On  the  19th  and  22d,  the 
regiment  was  engaged  in  the  assaults  upon  the  enemy's  works;  then 
in  the  advance  siege  works  up  to  July  4,  when  the  city  surren- 
dered. In  these  engagements  the  regiment  lost  its  Colonel,  three 
line  officers  and  forty  men.  The  regiment  subsequently  took  part 
in  the  Natchez  expedition,'returning  to  Vicksburg  in  October,  where 
it  remained  until  the  latter  part  of  July,  1864,  eng-aging  in  various 
minor  expeditions  from  that  point.  At  this  time  the  Eleventh  was 
assigned  to  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  and  after  taking  part  in 
Bcveral  minor  expeditions,  took  part  in  the  reduction  of  Mobile,  Ala., 
participating  in  the  investment  and  siege  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 
Blakely,  and  in  the  assault  upon  the  latter.  This  ended  its  active 
sei'vice,  and  moving  from  one  point  to  another,  it  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  July  14,  1865,  at  Alexandria,  La.,  when  the  regiment 
left  for  Springfir>l(l,  111.,  for  payment  and  final  discharge. 

Twenty-First  Infantry. — This  regiment  was  organized  entirely 
from  recruits  drawn  from  the  Seventh  Congressional  District,  Jas- 
per County  furnishing  the  entire  membership  of  Company  K.  This 
regiment  has  maintained  a  "veteran  society,"  and  from  its  records 
the    followino'   names    of   the  survivinir  members  are  tiiken    viz.: 


466  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

A.  M.  Peterson,  S.  B.  A\':ule,  Georo-e  A.  ArmstroniT'  John  A.  Jones, 
J.  B.  Berry,  William  M.  Abraham,  W.  L.  Bridges,  Thomas  Bhmch- 
ard,  J.  C.  Bridges,  William  Billman,  Amos  Barkley,  Amos  Butler, 
J.  p.  Co}>e,  elohn  B.  Cowger,  M.  S-  Cowger,  John  Cats,  M.  Collins, 
A.  G.  Carpenter,  H.  C  Dick,  F.  C  Dodd,  William  Fry,  Arch  Fore, 
John  Field,  Barney  Farley,  Job  Foster,  Thomas  Gallagher,  Dennis 
Gardner,  Michael  Groves,  William  Girrett,  John  P.  Gambrel,  Sam- 
uel Hobson,  W.  R.  Hurst,  James  Hall,  Frank  Hoskins,  J.  M.  Jared, 
John  W.  Lee,  Van  Loback,  Otho  McNair,  C  C  Neff,  O-  R.  Payne, 
G.  H.  Payne,  Thomas  Price,  Ansil  Peterson,  L.  A.  Ricks,  Thomas 
J.  Roush,  William  Rowley,  Kathau  Rollins,  J.  M.  Shup,  John  Sites, 
Charles  Stars,  Thomas  Sloan,  George  T.  Sloan,  W.  Y.  Stevenson, 
Harvey  Shook,  E.  J.  Ticknor,  Ed.  S.  Wilson,  Robert  Walker,  Ed. 
W^armouth,  Edward  White,  Jacob  Weaver. 

From  the  same  source  the  following  list  of  members  lost  during 
the  activities  of  the  war,  is  compiled:  John  F.  AVilson,  First  Lieu- 
tenant, died  in  the  South;  Sid  Wetzel,  First  Lieutenant,  killed 
at  Chickamauga;  George  W.  Allen,  missing;  Joseph  Boyd,  died 
at  Florence,  S.  C,  in  pruson;  Ira  Bonnell,  died  at  Olney,  III.; 
Anderson  Bridges,  died  at  Greenville,  Mo.;  Butler  Baker,  died  in 
Missouri;  Robert  Carpenter,  killed  at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Henry 
Edwards,  killed  at  Stone  River;  W.  Durkey,  Corporal, died  at  Newt  on, 
111.;  Otho  Gaudy,  died  at  Murfrecsboro,  Tenn.;  J.  H.  Hay,  died  at 
Newton,  III. ;  Rindall  Hill,  killed  at  Stone  River;  Michael  Haley, 
killed  at  Stone  River;  Michael  Martin,  killed  at  Stone  River; 
G'jorge  Mc Williams,  died  since  discharge;  James  Nokes,  died  at 
Cincinnati,  Ark.;  W.  F.  Payne,  Sergeant,  died  in  Richmond  prison; 
A.  L.  Richards,  killed  at  Stone  River;  Benjamin  Richardson,  killed 
at  Stone  River;  J.  H.  Ross,  killed  at  Stone  River;  Michael  Ryan, 
killed  on  the  O.  &  M.  R.  R.,  near  Flora,  III;  J.  Schooley,  missing; 
Goorgc  Short,  died  in  Indiana;  Thomas  Torpey,  killed  at  Stone 
River;  J.  M.  Wilson,  died  in  the  South;  Elward  White,  died  at 
Mount  J^leasant,  Iowa;  A.  E.  Worthcy,  died  in  Audersonville 
])rison. 

The  Twenty-First  Regiment  was  mustered  into  the  State  serv- 
ice, for  thirty  days,  b}^  Captain  U.  S.  Grant,  who  subsequently 
became  its  C/olonel.  In  the  folhnviug  letter,  Gi>noral  Grant  give.s 
his  connection  with  the  regiment:  ''  I  was  appointed  Colonel  of 
the  Twenty-First  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  by  Governor  Richard 
Yates,  sometime  early  in  the  month  of  June,  18(51,  and  assumed  com- 
mand of  the  regiment   on  the  16th  of  that  month.     The  regiment 


HlsroUV    OF   JASl'KK    COLNTV.  4(57 

was  musteretl  into  the  Uiiiteil  States  service  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
same  month.  Boino:  ordered  to  ren<lezvou.s  the  rei^inient  at  Quincy, 
Illinois,  I  thouii-ht  for  the  purpose  of  discipline  and  speed}' efficiency 
for  the  field,  it  would  be  well  to  march  the  reiriment  across  the  coun- 
try, instead  of  transporting  by  rail.  Accordingly,  on  the  3d  of  July, 
18l)l,  the  march  was  commenced  from  Camp  Yates,  Springfield,  111., 
and  continued  until  about  three  miles  beyond  the  Illinois  River,  when 
dispatches  were  received,  changing  the  destination  of  the  regiment 
to  Ironton,  Mo.,  and  directing  me  to  return  to  the  river  and  take  a 
steamer,  Avliich  had  been  sent  there  for  the  purpose  of  trans[)orting 
the  regiment  to  Saint  Louis.  The  steamer  failing  to  reach  the  point 
of  embarkation,  several  days  were  here  lost.  In  the  meantime  a  por- 
tion of  the  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Colonel  Smith,  were 
reported  surrounded  by  the  enemy  at  a  point  on  the  Hannibal  &  Saint 
Joseph  Railroad,  west  of  Palmyra,  and  the  Twenty-First  was  ordered 
to  their  rel  ief  Under  these  circumstances,  expedition  was  necessary; 
accordingly  the  march  was  al)andoned,  and  the  railroad  was  called 
into  requisition.  Before  the  Twenty-First  reached  its  new  destina- 
tion, the  Sixteenth  had  extricated  itself.  The  Twenty-First  was 
then  kept  on  duty  on  the  line  of  the  Hannibal  &  Saint  Joseph  Rail- 
road for  al)out  two  weeks,  without,  however,  meeting  an  enemy  or 
an  incident  worth  relating.  We  did  make  one  march,  however,  dur- 
ing that  time,  from  Salt  River,  Mo.,  to  Florida,  Mo.,  and  returned 
in  search  of  Tom.  Harris,  who  was  reported  in  that  neighborhood 
with  a  handful  of  rebels.  It  was  impossible,  however,  to  get  nearer 
than  a  day's  march  of  him.  From  Silt  River  the  regiment  went  to 
Mexico,  Mo.,  Avliere  it  remained  for  two  weeks;  thence  to  Ironton, 
Mo.,  passing  through  Saint  Louis  on  the  7th  of  August,  when  I  was 
assigned  to  dut}'  as  a  Brigadier-General,  and  turned  over  the  com- 
mand of  the  regiment  to  that  gallant  and  Christian  officer,  Colonel 
Alexander,  who  afterward  yielded  uj)  his  life,  whilst  nobly  leading 
it  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga." 

On  the  Fourth  of  July,  1861,  the  regiment  marched  for  Missouri; 
2d  arrived  at  Mexico,  where  it  remained  until  August  6th,  when  it 
proceeded  by  rail  to  Ironton,  M ).;  O  tober  20,  marched  from  Iron- 
ton,  and,  on  the  21st,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fredericktown; 
remained  at  Ironton  until  January  2:),  1862;  marched  with  Gen- 
eral Steele's  expedition  to  Jaeksonsport,  Ark.,  when  it  was  ordered 
to  Corinth,  via  Cape  Girardeau;  arrived  at  IIaml>urg  Landing, 
May  24,  1862.  On  the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  the  Twenty-First  inu'- 
€ued  the  enemy  from  Farmington,  Miss,  to  Booneville.     RMuaiing 


4<J8  HISTORY'    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

from  the  pursuit  it  tbrmetla  part  of  an  expedition  to  Holly  Springs. 
On  the  14th  of  August,  1862,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join 
General  Buell's  army,  in  Tennessee;  marching  via  E:istport.  Miss., 
Columbia,  Tenn.,  Florence,  Ala.,  Franklin,  Murfreesboro,  and  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  and  arriving  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Sopteniber  27,  1862. 
The  Twenty-First  subsequently  engaged  in  the  buttles  of  Perryville 
and  Champion  Hills,  marching  afterward  to  Crab  Tree  Orchard, 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  and. to  Nashville,  Tenn. 

When  the  army  marched  from  this  point,  December  26,  1862, 
this  regiment  formed  a  part  of  the  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and  was  in  the  skirmish  at  Knob  Gap. 
December  30,  in  connection  with  the  Fifteenth  Wisconsin,  Thirty- 
Eighth  Illinois,  and  One  Hundred  and  First  Ohio,  it  had  a  severe 
engagement  with  the  enemy  near  Murfreesl^oro,  where  it  charged 
the  famous  Washington  (Rebel)  Light  Artillery,  twelve  Parrott 
guns,  and  succeeded  in  driving  every  man  from  the  battery,  when  it 
was  compelled  to  fall  back  by  a  division  of  Rebel  Infantry.  Dur- 
ing the  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  it  was  fiercely  engas^ed  and  did  oral- 
lant  duty,  losing  more  men  than  any  other  regiment  engaged.  The 
Twenty-First  was  with  General  Rosecrans'  army  from  Murfreesboro 
to  Chattiinooga.  June  23,  1863,  it  was  engaged  in  a  severe  skimiish 
at  Liberty  Gap.  It  Avas  also  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
Septenil)er  19  and  20,  Avhere  it  lost  238  officers  and  men.  After  the 
battle,  the  Twenty-First  was  attached  to  the  First  Brig-ade,  First 
Division,  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  remained  at  Bridgeport,  Ala., 
during  October,  November  and  December,  1863.  The  regiment  sub- 
sequently went  to  Texas,  where  it  was  mustered  out  at  San  Antonio, 
December  16,  1865. 

Thirty- Eight Ji  Infantry. — This  regiment  was  organized  princi- 
pally in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  Stjite,  and  took  from  Jasper 
County  more  than  any  other  single  regiment.  There  were  repre- 
sentatives in  Companies  'A,  D,  li  and  K;  Company  H,  being  com- 
posed almost  entirely  of  Jasper  County  men.  This  regiment  wjis 
organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  September,  1861,  by  Colonel 
William  P.  Carlin;  September  20,  1861,  the  regiment  was  ordei-ed 
to  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  receiving  its  arms  en  route.  On  the  20th  of  Octo- 
ber, the  Thirty-Eighth  marched  to  Fredericktown,  and  on  the  21st 
engaged  in  a  battle  at  that  place,  with  the  enemy  under  Jell'.  Thomp- 
son. Here  the  regiment  remained  all  winter.  In  the  following 
March,  the  regiment  moved  to  Reeves'  Station,  on  Black  River;  on 
the  31st  moved  with  the  Division  of  the  Southeast,  under  General 


illSTOHY    OF   JAiSl'EU   COUNTY 


4(jD 


Steele  to  DonipliJin.  In  X\)Vi\,  il  moved  acros^  the  Current  River 
thence  to  Poouhontas,  Ark.,  aiul  thence  to  Jacksonport,  arriving- 
May  4.  On  the  loth  the  Twenty-First  and  Thirty-Eighth  regi- 
ments were  ordered  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  220  miles  distant.  This 
inarch  was  made  in  ten  days,  a  day  and  a  lialf  of  which  time  was 
spent  in  ferrying  Black  and  Current  rivers.  The  expedition  reached 
Ilamburg  Landing  on  the  24th,  from  whence  it  moved  forward  to 
the  front,  taking  part  in  the  last  days  of  the  siege  of  Corinth.  The  reg- 
unentsul)se(iucntly  proceeded  to  Danville,  Booneville,  and  then  back 
to  Corinth,  and  to  Jacinto.  During  the  last  of  June,  the  Thirty-Eighth 
inarched  to  Ri[)ley,  and  returned  by  forced  marches,  arriving  July  4, 
1862.  The  regiment  remained  in  camp  till  August  14,  when  it 
marclicd  with  the  Division  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  under  Gen- 
eral Buell:  passing,  on  its  route,  luka,  ]Miss.,  the  Tennessee  at  East- 
port,  Florence,  Ala.,  Lxwrenccburg,  Mount  Pleasant,  Columbia, 
Franklin,  iNIurfreesboro  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Bowling  Green,  Mun- 
fordvillo,  Elizal)ethtown,  and  AVest  Point,  Ky.,  arriving  at  Louis- 
ville, September  26,  18t32,  after  a  march,  night  and  day,  of  about  500 
miles. 

Proceedina'  with  the  army  from  Louisville  on  October  1,  the 
reofinient  eni>ao-cd  in  the  battle  of  Perryville  on  the  8th,  and  cap- 
tured  an  ammunition  train,  two  caissons  and  about  100  prisoners, 
and  was  h()U{)ral)ly  mentioned  in  Ganeral  Mitchell's  report  of  the, 
battle.  Joining  in  pursuit  of  Bragg  as  far  as  Crab  Orchard,  the 
Thirty-Eiirhth  passed  on  through  Lancaster,  Danville,  Lsbanon,  and 
Bowling  Green  to  Edgefisld  Junction,  near  Nashville.  Arriving  here 
on  the  IDth,  with  the  Fifteenth  Wisconsin,  the  regiment  went  on  a 
scout,  returning  on  the  following  day,  after  destroying  a  large  quan- 
tity of  salt,  and  captured  a  rel)  d  wagon  train  and  100  horses  and 
mule-s;  remaining  in  camp  until  the  latter  part  of  December,  when 
it  took  part  in  a  spirited  engagement  at  Knob  Gap,  near  Nolensville, 
captm-ing  two  guns  and  losing  three  killed  and  eight  wounded.  In 
the  l)attlc  of  Stone  River  which  followed,  the  regiment  was  heavily 
engaged,  the  regiment  losing  in  the  engageni'^nt,  34  killed,  109 
wounded,  and  34  missing.  Following  this  battle  the  regiment 
remained  in  camp  until  Jinie.  In  the  meantime  the  right  wing  was 
changed  to  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

When  the  enemy  advanced  on  Tullahom:i,  the  Twentieth  Army 
Corps  moved  on  Liberty  Gap,  and  engaged  the  enemy  June  24,  25, 
and  2i).  On  the  2.")th.  the  Thirty-Eighth  was  ordered  to  relieve  the 
Seventy-Seventh    Pennsylvania,    whi(  h    was   hotly   pressed    by  the 


470  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

enemy.  The  Tliirty-Eiirlith  charofed  a?cross  a  ijIonvciI  field,  under 
heavy  fire,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  works,  ca})turin2:  the 
flag  of  the  Socond  Arkansas.  From  this  point  the  regiment  marched 
through  Manchester  and  camped  at  Winchester,  Tenn.,  until  August 
17,  18li3,  when  it  crossed  the  Cumberland  Mountains  to  Stevenson, 
Ahi.  It  subsequently  crossed  the  Tennessee  River,  Sand  Mountain, 
into  Will's  Valley,  and  on  the  9th  of  September  crossed  Lookout 
Mountain  to  Broomtown  Valle}^  about  fifty  miles  south  of  Chatta- 
nooga. On  the  13th  and  14th  of  the  month  it  returned  to  Will's  Val- 
ley, on  the  IGth  ascended  Lookout  Mountain  and  marched  twenty- 
five  miles  on  the  top  ot  the  ridge  to  Stevens'  Gap.  On  the  17th  the 
regiment  entered  ^McLemore's  Cove  and  laid  in  line  of  battle  before 
Dug  Gap,  in  Pigeon  Mountains;  17th,  at  dark,  moved  to  the  left,  to 
Pond  Springs;  IDth,  marched  past  Crawfish  Springs,  and  entered  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  near  Gordin's  Mills.  Double  quicking,  a  lino 
was  formed,  under  fire,  and  Avas  hotly  engaged  till  dark.  September  20, 
the  regiment  was  moved  to  the  left;  went  into  position  at  10  A.  M.,  and 
was  heavily  engaged;  the  enemy  pressing  through  a  gap  made  by  the 
withdrawal  of  Gen.  Wood's  Division,  forced  the  line  back,  and  the  bri- 
gade narrowly  escaped  capture.  The  line  was  then  re-formed  on  the 
hills,  in  the  rear  of  the  battle  ground;  the  brigade  subsequent!}' 
marched  toward  the  rifjht  Avhcre  Gen.Thomas  was  continuino'  thefidit. 
Of  301  men  that  the  reoiment  took  into  the  fiirht,  180  were  killed, 
wounded  or  missing.  The  Thirty-Eighth  moved  with  the  rest  of  the 
army  into  Chattanooga,  and  remained  working  on  the  fortifications 
until  the  last  of  October.  After  the  b.ittle  of  Lookout  Mountain 
the  regiment  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.  In  the 
following  January  the  Thirty-Eighth  moved  through  Chattanooga 
to  Ooltawah,  and  on  the  night  of  February  17,  moved  out  with  a 
detachment  of  the  Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry,  surprising  and  captur- 
ing a  rebel  outpost,  a  few  miles  from  Dalton,  Ga.  On  February 
2t),  1864,  the  regiment  re-enlisted  and  was  mustered  March  16,  1864. 
A  few  days  later  it  started  for  Illinois,  on  veteran  furlouij:h, 
arriving  at    Springfield,    April   8. 

On  May  14,  the  regiment  sfarted  from  its  rendezvous  at  Mat- 
toon,  via  Indianapolis  to  L;)uisville,  Ky.,  and  from  thence  to  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.  On  May  27,  the  regiment  left  Chattanooga  with  a 
drove  of  cattle  which  was  increased  to  1,700  hea  1,  rea^-hing  the  army 
at  Ackworth,  June  8.  The  Thirty-Eighth  immediately  joined  its 
brigade,  and  on  the  10th  moved  upon  the  enemy  at  Pine  Top.  At 
this  point  and  Kenesaw  Mountain  the  regiment  was  engaged  until 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  471 

July  3;  on  the  4th  it  was  enijaireJ  at  Smyrna;  on  the  5th  it  reached 
the  ChattahoocMiie  River;  crossed  it  on  the  12tli;  on  the  20th  crossed 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  on  the  21st  cngasfed  on  thoontcr  lines  before 
Atlantti.  From  this  time  forward  the  regiment  took  part  in  the 
movements  abont  Atlanta;  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  on 
September  1,  and  camped  at  Athmta  on  the  8th.  In  this  campaign 
the  Thirty-Eiglitii  h)st  fonr  killed,  thirty-six  wonnded  and  three 
missing.  |^ 

O.'tolier  3,  the  regiment  marched  in  pnrsuit  of  Hood,  via  Mari- 
etta, Ackworth,  Altoona,  Kingston,  Rome,  Resaca,  Ship's  Gap, 
Summ('r\  ille  and  Taylorsville  to  Chattanooga,  arriving  October  30, 
18(U.  On  the  12th  of  the  following  month  the  regiment  reached 
Pulaski,  Tenn.;  on  24th  reached  ColumI)ia,  threw  up  breastworks 
and  eniraged  the  enemv  in  a  sliijht  skirmish.  The  resfiment  withdrew 
from  tills  point  on  the  night  of  the  2yth,  and  entered  Franklin  on 
the  30th.  Al)out  half  past  four  the  enemy  advanced,  driving  in  our 
skirmishers,  l)ut  who  were  driven  back  in  turn  by  our  main  line. 
Withdrawing  again  at  midnight  and  crossing  the  Harpetli  River, 
it  reached  Nashville.  Here  the  reiiiment  was  at  once  set  tolniildino- 
fortifi -ations  and  doing  outpost  duty,  and  on  the  5th  of  December 
was  placed  in  a  position  near  the  PLirdin  pike.  At  four  o'clock  P.  M. 
the  regiment  participated  in  the  charge  on  Montgomery  Hill,  and 
was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  enemy's  works.  On  the  following 
day  the  regiment  was  placed  in  the  reserve  line,  and  when  the  ene- 
my's line  was  broken  joined  in  the  pursuit,  following  his  retreat  to 
Lexington,  Ala.  From  thence  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Hunts- 
ville,  where  it  remained  until  March  13,  1865.  Returning  to  Ten- 
nessee, the  regiment  subsequently  took  part  in  the  expedition  to 
North  Carolina,  and  in  June  took  transportation  to  New  Orleans, 
and  thence  to  Indianola,  Texas,  whence  in  August  it  marched  to  the 
Guadaloupo  River.  In  December,  18(>5,  the  regiment  was  stationed 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  and  soon  afterward  was  mustered  out  and  ordered 
home  for  pavment  and  final  discharije. 

Forty- Sixth  Infantry. — Of  this  regiment.  Company  F  was  made 
up  principally  from  Richland,  Clay  and  Jasper  counties.  There 
were  not  many  representatives  of  this  county,  and  its  record  may 
properly  be  somewhat  condensed.  The  regiment  was  organized  at 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  December  2^,  1861.  In  February,  1862,  it 
procee  led  to  C:iiro,  from  whence  it  proceeded  via  Cumberland  River, 
to  Fort  Donelson,  arriving  on  the  14th,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  Gen.   Lew   Wallace.      February   19,  the   Forty-Sixth 


472  HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

moved  to  Fort  Henry;  M;irch  6,  embarked  for  Pittsburg  Landing, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  l<Sth.  In  .the  b.ittle  of  Shiloh  thcForty- 
Sixth  took  a  most  conspicuous  part,  losing  over  half  of  its  officers 
and  men,  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  receiving  the  thanks  of  the 
comraandino-  generals.  During  the  month  of  M;iy  the  regiment  was 
enf^a^ed  in  the  siege  of  Corinth;  June  2,  camped  six  miles  west  of 
Corinth;  on  the  10th,  marched  to  Hatchie  River;  1.5th,  passed 
throu2"h  Grand  Junction  and  camped  three  miles  from  town;  24th, 
moved  to  Collarbone  Hill,  near  Lagrange;  and  on  the  30th  moved 
to  old  Lamar  Church.  July  1,  marched  to  Cold  Water,  and 
returned  on  the  Gth;  ou  the  17th,  moved  towards  ;Mempliis,  camping 
on  the  21st  two  miles  south  of  that  place.  August  27,  it  engaged  in 
the  scout  to  Pigeon  Roost;  Scptemb3r  G,  moved  towards  Browns- 
ville; 7th,  marched  through  Rileigh  and  Union  Stations;  9th, 
marched  to  Big  Muddy  River;  11th,  to  Danville;  12th,  to  Pleasant 
Creek,  and  on  the  14th  to  Hatchie  River.  October  4,  the  regiment 
moved  toward  Corinth;  5th,  met  the  enemy  at  Metamora.  The 
Fort3^-Sixth  was  in  position  on  the  right  of  the  Sscond  Brigade, 
supporting  Bolton's  battery.  After  an  hour  of  shelling,  by  the  bat- 
teries, the  infantry  was  ordered  forward,  and  at  a  double-quick 
advanced,  driving  the  enemy  across  the  river.  After  the  battle  the 
regiment  returned  to  Bolivar. 

On  November  3,  the  regiment  marched  to  Lagrange;  on  the 
28th,  to  Holly  Springs;  30th,  toward  the  Tallahatchie  River,  and 
camped  near  Waterford,  Miss.,  where  splendid  winter  quarters,  with 
mud  chimneys  and  bake  ovens  complete,  were  fitted  up  only  to  be 
left.  Decemljer  ll,the  Forty-Sixth  moved  to  Hurricane  Creek;  12th, 
to  Yocona  Station;  22d,  to  Taylor  s  Station.  In  the  meanwhile. 
Van  Dorn  having  captured  Holly  Springs,  the  Forty-Sixth  moved 
to  Hurricane  Creek,  and  subsequently  moved  as  train  guard  to  the 
north  side  of  the  Tallahatchie  River.  Up  to  May,  18G3,  the  regiment 
served  in  this  region,  moving  about  in  a  limited  circle  to  counteract 
the  movements  of  the  enemy.  Oa  the  13th  of  this  month  the  Forty- 
Sixth  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  21st,  took  up  its  position 
on  the  right  of  Grant's  army.  On  the  25th,  it  marched  to  the 
extreme  left  of  the  line,  and  was  detailed  for  picket  duty.  In  the 
night,  the  outpost  consisting  of  five  companies  of  the  regiment  was 
captured  by  the  enemy,  only  seventy  escaping.  The  remain  ler  of 
the  regiment  took  an  active  part  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  The  reg- 
iment took  an  active  part  in  the  movements  against  the  enemy  near 
Pearl  River,  and  engaged  in   the  siege  until  the   IGth,  when  the 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  473 

enemy  evacuated  Jackson.     Ausfust  12,  the  Fort3'-Sixth  moved   to 
Natchez.     September  1,  it  took  part  in  the  expedition  into  Louisiana. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Infantry. — In  this  re<2:inient  Jasper 
County  was  represented  by  a  few  men  in  Company  K,  which  was 
principally  made  up  of  recruits  froju  Crawford  and  Clark  counties. 
The  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Rcijiment  of  Infantry  was  organ- 
ized at  Camp  Butler  in  October,  l<S(i2,  by  Colonel  Nathaniel  Niles, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  service,  October  25th.  In  the  following 
month  the  regiment  left  for  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  it  arrived  on  the 
18th  and  was  assigned  to  provost  duty.  On  January  14,  186-5,  an 
order  was  issued  to  consolidate  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  with 
the  Seventy-Seventh  Illinois  Regiment,  the  consolidated  regiment  to 
be  known  by  the  latter  number.  On  June  23,  1865,  an  order  was  issued 
reviving  th(^  organization  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Regi- 
ment, and  which  directed  that  "all  men  of  the  Seventy-Seventh  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infmtry,  whose  term  of  service  will  not  expire  on 
or  before  September  1,  1865,  and  all  officers  and  men,  now  with  said 
regiment,  who  were  transferred  from  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Jnfantry,  to  be  formed  into  a  battalion,  composed 
of  comi)anies  of  maximum  strensfth."  The  resriment  was  doing 
service  at  New  Orleans  at  this  date,  where  it  was  subsequently  mus- 
tered out  of  service,  August  15,  receiving  final  payment  and  dis- 
charge in  September. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-Third- — Jasper  County  contributed  a 
few  men  to  Company  I,  of  this  regiment,  the  larger  part  of  which 
company  was  formed  at  Mattoon.  The  regiment  was  organized  at 
Mattoon  by  Colonel  Dudley  C.  Smith,  and  mustered  June  11,  1864, 
for  one  hundred  days.  On  the  16th  of  June,  the  regiment  moved 
for  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  on  the  19th,  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth 
Brigade,  District  of  Memphis,  Colonel  Butrick,  commanding.  On 
July  12,  it  was  assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Colonel  John  Wood, 
commanding.  On  the  27th  of  July,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
report  to  Brigadier-General  Buford,  commanding  District  of  East 
Arkansas,  at  Helena.  Arriving  on  the  following  day,  the  regiment 
was  assigned  to  garrison  duty,  where  it  remained  till  the  expiration 
of  its  term  of  enlistment.  On  the  10th  of  September,  the  regiment 
moved  northward,  and  proceeded  to  Mattoon,  III.,  where  it  was  mus- 
tered out,  September  M,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty- Fifth  Infantry. — Of  this  regiment, 
Conn)aiiy  B  was  almost  wholly  made  up  in  Jasper  County.  Its  offi- 
cers  were  George  W.    Richards,   Captain;    Edward   Herrick,  First 


474  HISTORY    OF   JASPEK    COl  NTY. 

Lieutenant;  William  Trainor,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  regiment 
was  orfi-anized  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  by  Colonel  Gustavus  A. 
Smith,  and  mustered  into  the  service  February  28,  18(35,  for  one 
year.  On  March  2,  the  regiment,  904  strong,  moved  via  Louisville 
and  Nashville  to  Tullahoma,  Tennessee,  and  reporting  to  General 
Milroy,  was  assigned  to  Brevet-Brigadier  General  Dudley.  On  June 
17,  the  regiment  was  divided  into  detachments  of  twenty  or  thirty 
men  each,  and  assigned  to  guard  duty  on  the  Nashville  &  Chatta- 
nooga Railroad,  occupying  the  blockhouses  trom  Nashville  to  Duck 
River,  a  distance  of  tifty  miles.  On  September  4,  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out  of  service  and  moved  to  Camp  Butler,  III.,  where  it 
received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Fifth  Cavalry. — Of  this  regiment  Company  L  was  recruited 
in  Richland,  Wayne,  Cumberland  and  Jasper  counties  principally. 
The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  III.,  in  November, 
1861,  and  Hall  Wilson  appointed  Colonel.  On  February  20,  1862, 
the  regiment  moved  to  Benton  Barracks,  Saint  Louis,  Mo.  March 
3,  it  moved  to  Pilot  Knob.  On  the  27th,  it  marched  to  Doniphan,  and 
had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  capturing  their  camp,  April  1.  On 
the  27th,  the  regiment  started  on  a  march  for  the  Mississippi  River, 
joining  Curtis'  army  at  Jacksonport  on  the  29th,  and  reaching  Hel- 
ena, July  13.  October  22,  a  forage  train  was  attacked  by  the 
enemy  and  seventy-eight  of  the  Fifth  Cavalry  captured.  On  Janu- 
ary 11,  1863,  the  regiment  made  an  expedition  to  Dnvall's  Blutf,  and 
in  April,  pursued  Marmaduke,  who  was  retreating  from  Missouri. 
May  29, 1863,  the  regiment  embarked  for  Vicksburg;  and  on  June  1, 
landed  at  Snyder's  Blutf.  June  8,  the  Fifth  Cavalry  made  a  recon- 
noissance  to  Mechanicsburg,  drove  the  enemy  ten  miles,  carrying  on 
a  spirited  skirmish  in  the  meantime.  Forming  a  junction  on  the- 
following  day  with  Brigadier-General  Kimball,  who  had  two  regi- 
ments of  infantry,  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  they  attacked  the  enemy, 
who  was  strongly  posted,  and  defeated  him.  With  General  Sherman's 
army,  the  Ninth  and  Fifteenth  Corps,  the  Fifth  moved  toward 
Jackson  on  the  6th,  and  five  days  later,  the  Third  and  Fourth  Iowa, 
Second  Wisconsin  and  Fifth  Illinois,  composing  the  cavalry  brig- 
adge,  went  on  an  exptleition  to  Canton,  Miss.,  arriving  after  some 
fighting  on  the  17th,  and  after  destroying  the  public  workshops,  rail- 
road, etc.,  returned  to  the  main  army  at  Jackson.  On  August  3, 
the  Fifth  joined  the  expedition  to  Grenada,  Miss.  Reaching  the 
Mississippi  Central,  at  Durant,  and,  capturing  wagon-trains,  destroy- 
ing bridges,  et<?.,  it  moved  up  the  railroad,  driving  the  enemy,  undtT 


HISTORY    OF   JA8PEK    COUNTY.  475 

Chiilnioijj.  ami  effectini^-  a  Junction  with  Colonel  Plielp.s'  force. 
Owiiiii-  to  destroyed  bridges,  the  captured  rolling  stock  could  not  be 
Siived  and  40  engines  with  820  cars  were  burned.  Tht;  force  then 
moved  toward  Memphis.  encounterin<>-  on  the  21st,  a  foi-ce  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  which  the  expedition  defeated,  the  Fifth  lo8in<i-  one 
killed  and  five  wounded.  On  returnini!-  to  Memphis  the  regiment 
was  embarked  for  Vicksl)ur<>-  and  went  into  cam[)  on  the  Black 
Kiver,  August  2;».  Remaining  here  until  May  1,  l.S()4.  the  regi- 
ment was  moved  to  Vicksl)urg,  and  subsequently  took  part  in  the 
movement  toward  Jackson,  and  in  a  cavalry  charire  at  lirownsville 
routing  the  rebel  General  Wirt  Adams. 

January  1,  1S(;4.  many  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans, 
the  veterans  receiving  their  furlough  in  Marcli.  May  10,  the  vet- 
erans returned  and  the  regiment  once  more  united,  eight  companies 
were  dismounted,  Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  retiiining  their  hor.ses. 
On  July  1,  this  battalion  joined  in  an  expedition  to  Jackson.  On 
the  return  march  the  raiders  were  attacked  by  a  large  force  of  the 
enemy  which  was  repulsed  only  after  a  severe  engagement.  Septem- 
ber 27,  the  same  force  moved  down  the  river,  and,  landing  at 
Port  Gibson,  drove  the  enemy  from  the  place.  From  thence  the 
regiment  moved  to  Natchez;  thence  to  Tonica  Bend,  where  the  ex- 
pedition landed  and  moved  to  Woodville.  More  a  rebel  camp  wjis 
suri)rised  and  captured,  but  during  the  night,  the  enemy  advanced 
with  three  guns  and  GOO  men.  The  Fifth  Cavalry  and  Tliird  United 
States  Colored  Cavalry  charged  the  enemy  the  next  morninsr,  driving 
him  in  confusion.  November  20,  the  regiment  went  with  an  ex[)edi- 
tion  to  destroy  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  over  which  supplies 
were  being  sent  to  Hood.  Its  object  was  successfully  acc()mi)lished, 
the  command  destroying  miles  of  road.  In  January,  1<S()."),  the  reg- 
iment moved  to  Memphis,  and  a  little  later  went  with  an  expedi- 
tion to  southern  Arkansas  and  northern  Louisiana.  In  March  the 
regiment  was  assigned  to  guard  duty  on  the  Memphis  and  Charles- 
ton Railroad,  and  Avas  thus  engaged  until  July,  18()5.  The  regiment 
was  then  ordered  to  Texas,  and  assigned  to  Custer's  command.  It 
was  posted  at  Hempstead,  Texas,  until  October  (!,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Springfield,  III.,  arriving  on  the  Kith;  on  the  27th  it  was 
mustered  out,  and  received  final  payment  and  discharge  October 
30,  18(J5. 

Other  organizations  had  representatives  from  Jasper  County, 
esi)ecially  the  Thirty-Fourth  Illinois  Intantry,  but  it  is  impossible 
to  obtain  accurate  infoi-mation  in  regard  to  all.      In  the   above  brief 

29 


476 


HISTOUY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 


survey  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  do  exact  or  equal  justice  to  the 
military  career  of  those  who  went  out  from  Jasper  County  to  the 
service  of  their  country.  Any  such  attempt  must  have  tailed  in  the 
very  nature  of  the  case.  Such  facts  as  have  been  given,  have  been 
o-lcaned  from  various  sources  of  information,  generally  accepted  as 
correct,  yet  often  proving  contradictory  in  essential  particulars,  and 
mav  prove  in  many  instances  to  fall  short  of  the  merits  of  the  case. 
But  however  much  this  sketch  may  fiiil  of  excellence,  it  will  at  least 
serve  to  shoAV  that  Jasper  County's  patriotism  found  expression 
"  where  duty  called  and  danger,"  and  "  was  never  wanting  there,"' 
and  so  answers  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  conceived. 


li^'^^/^^^^i/^^^^ 


III8TORV   OF  JASPER   COUNTY.  477 


\'illagp:  growth. 

J^eivton, — The  earliest  settlement  centered  aliout  the  villages  of 
Xewton  and  Saint  Marie.     The  site  of  the  former  vilhige  by  its  geo- 
graphical position  and  the  natural  advantages  of  the  contour  of  the 
land  made  it  the  inevitable  county-seat.    But  l)efore  the  erection  of  the 
county  its  natural  attractions  had  In-ought  the  situation  to  the  favor- 
able notice  of  the  pioneer.   In  Xovember,  of  182G,  James  Jordan  came 
here  with  his  family  and  erected  the  first  cabin  on  the  territory  now 
covered  by  the  \illage.     The  site  of  the  cabin  was  near  the  north 
gate  of  the  court  house  yard,  and  here  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jordan  put  up 
a  log  cabin  unaided  by  others.    After  settling  his  family  ]Mr.  Jordan 
was  called  from  home  on  some  Ijusiness,  and  Mrs.  Jordan  with  two  or 
three  children  was  left   here  alone  in  the  wilderness  surrounded  by 
howling  wolves  and  strolling  Indians.     They  brought  a  number  of 
young  cattle  with  them,  and  one  night  a  young  heifer  attacked  by 
the  wolves,  came  rushing  into  the  cabin,  bound i no:  through  the  door- 
way  which  was  only  protected  by  a  suspended  blanket,  and  startling 
the  little  family  by  its  distressful  cries  of  alarm.     In  the  morning  the 
aniniaFs  side  was  found  to  be  so  terribly  torn  that  it  had  to  be  killed. 
Some  three  weeks  after  the  coming  of  the  Jordans,  came  the  family 
of  Abram  Decker  and  settled  about  two  and  a  half  miles  to  the  east 
of  them.     The  Deckers  staj^ed  only  about  two  years,  when  they  left 
the  county.     The  Jordans  subsequently  moved  to  the  Decker  cabin 
and  lived  there  for  years.     In  February,  183G,  when  Grove  came  to 
the  county,  he  relates  that  "  there  was  but  one  dwelling  house  in 
the  place,  and  a  little  water-oak  pole  grocery.     John  V.  IBarnes  was 
the  dweller  in,  and  part  owner  of  the  grocery,  his  partner  being 
Tenny.     The  Indians  had  all  left  this  part  of  the  country.     In  the 
fall  before  I  came  here,  an  old  Indian  woman  lived  in  Xewton  who 
claimed  to  be  130  years  old.     She  said  she  had  always  lived  here,  and 
that  she  could  recollect  when  tlio  Embarrass  River  had  no  certain  chan- 
nel, l)ut  ran  promiscuously  through  the  bottom.     She  said  that  on 
the  upland  there  was  no  big  timber— "all  little  bushes." 

A  little  later  came  L.  W.  Jordan  and  Benjamin  Reynolds.  The 
land  on  which  the  village  was  platted,  was  entered  in  ISol,  in  the 
name  of  L.  W.  Jordan,  i)ut  it  is  prol)able  that  his  father-in-law,  Rey- 


/ 


478  HisToiiv  OF  jaspp:r  county. 

iiolds,  laid  it  out  and  subsequently  donated  the  site  for  a  county-seat. 
After  the  orii-anization  of  the  county,  the  village  began  to  attract 
settlers,  and  improvements  began  to  attract  attention.  Lawrence 
IloUenbeck  and  Thomas  Garwood  built  a  saw  and  grist-mill  on  the 
site  now  owned  by  B.  Faller.  Benjamin  Harris,  who  had  emigrated 
from  Ohio,  brought  on  a  small  stock  of  dry  goods  and  opened  the 
Hrst  store  in  Newton,  but  as  farming  was  the  more  essential  business, 
he  closed  out  his  store,  located  quite  a  body  of  land  in  the  vicinity 
of  Newton,  and  made  large  and  valuable  imjjrovements  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  village.  Joseph  Picquet  afterwards  carried  on 
a  merchandising  business  in  Newton,  purchasing  at  the  same  time  the 
mill  property  Avhich  he  greatly  improved. 

In  his  reminiscences  of  Jasper  County,  W.  H.  Wade  says:  "  From 
time  immemorial  in  the  historv  of  Newton,  there  has  been  one  of 
those  sinks  of  perdition  called  saloons,  kept  on  the  corner  of  Jordan 
and  Jackson  streets.  Before  the  improvement  of  the  streets  there 
was  a  small  ravine  in  front  of  the  place  indicated,  and  as  a  general 
thing,  if  a  tight  occurred  in  thatVicinity,  the  combatants  would  more 
than  likely  '  fetch  up  '  in  said  ravine,  and  in  consequence  the  place 
took  the  name  of  'bloody  run.' 

"I  could  relate  many  amusing  incidents  "that  came  under  my 
notice  during  my  boyhood  in  old  Jasper,  had  I  space  and  time,  as  there 
were  many  characters  like  that  of  Butfalo  Bill,  Wild  Bill,  Sut  Lore- 
good,  et  ah,  in  the  countr}'.  In  early  days,  under  the  old  constitu- 
tion, counties  were  divided  into  voting  precincts,  but  it  did  not  i)ro- 
hibit  any  citizen  of  the  county  from  voting  at  the  county-seat,  if  he 
so  desired,  and  at  general  elections  nearly  all  of  the  voters  of  the 
county  would  come  to  Newton  to  vote,  and  on  election  days,  or  at 
court,  it  was  amusing  to  see  the  old  i)ioneers  coming  into  town. 
Often  they  were  dressed  in  buckskin  suits  with  coonskin  ca])s,  and 
generally  carried  that  indispensable  life-guard — the  rifle.  After 
indulijinir  in  a  few  drinks  of  sod-corn  whiskv,  thev  Avould  bcirin  to 
get  lively. 

"Shooting,  or  rather  target  shooting,  iov  whisky,  was  a  great 
source  of  amusement.  Horse  racing,  what  we  now  call  '  plug  races,' 
was  considered  indispensable  to  make  up  the  fun  and  amusement  of 
those  days.  The  distance  run  Avas  generally  200  yards,  or  a  (juartcr 
of  a  mile  at  farthest,  and  the  stakes  generally  ranged  in  price  and 
(juantity  from  one  quart  to  a  half  gallon  of 'sod  corn,'  worth  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-tive  cents,  and  it  was  a  Jolly  time  they  had.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  all  understood  and  practiced  the  manly  art  of  self- 


mSTOUV    OF   JASPEU    COUNTY.  479 

defense,  and  it  was  considered  unmanly  for  a  man  to  take  an  insult 
without  resenting:  it,  and  generally  the  day  wound  up  with  a  great 
many  pech'd  heads,  bloody  noses,  black  eyes,  and  perhaps  a  few  eyes 
ffou^-ed  out." 

The  picture  thus  drawn  of  the  t'arly  society  in  Newton,  while 
not  Hattcring,  seems  to  be  borne  out  by  all  the  traditions  that  have 
come  down  to  this  day.  The  village  was  in  moral  quarantine.  Its 
reputation  was  known  far  and  near.  Settlers  avoided  it,  and  even 
travelers  avoided  it  on  their  journeys  so  far  as  possible.  Whisky 
was  king,  and  there  was  a  tacit  organization  among  the  leaders  of 
the  settlement  to  keep  out  any  influence  that  would  interfere  with 
the  customs  of  the  place.  Ui)  to  about  1840  this  sort  of  thing  con- 
tinued without  any  efHcient  opi)osition.  A  jury,  it  is  said,  had  been 
out  a  loner  time  without  comiuGf  to  a  decision,  when  one  of  their  num- 
ber  was  let  out  of  a  window.  He  soon  returned  with  a  few  sand- 
wiches and  a  large  jug  of  whisky,  and  was  hauled  into  the  retiring 
room  of  the  jury-  All  opposition  of  opinion  vanished,  and  a  verdict 
was  agreed  upon  and  accepted  in  short  order. 

An  incident  is  related  by  Mr.  .lohnson,  in  his  pamphlet,  illus- 
trative of  the  early  customs  of  Newton,  as  follows: 

"A  stranofer  was  ridinof  alona^  throusfh  the  town,  and  some  of 
the  roughs,  who  were  standing  in  front  of  a  saloon,  saw  him,  and 
they  thought  he  must  comply  with  their  rules,  etc.;  so  their  leader 
{  Lewis  W.  Jordan,  who  was  the  high  Sheritl'of  the  county  at  the  time)» 
stepped  out  in  the  road  and  asked  the  gentleman  to  get  down,  come 
in  and  treat  the  crowd.  The  stranger  said  he  was  not  a  drinking  man, 
and  would  rather  be  excused.  ^Ir.  J.  said  it  made  no  diflerence  in 
this  case;  it  Avas  the  custom  of  the  town,  that  no  stranger  should  pass 
through  without  treating.  The  stranger  remarke(l  that  he  had  often 
heard  of  Newton,  l)ut  had  not  thought  it  so  bad  as  that.     Mr.  J.  said 

!  it  did  not  matter  what  he  had  heard  (and  taking  the  stranger's  horse 
by  the  bridle),  said  it  was  the  custom  here,  and  'now,  sir,  you  have 

j  to  treat  or  tight.'  The  stranger  remarked  that  he  was  no  fighter, 
and  sujjposed  he  would  have  to  treat,  and  getting  otf  his  horse,  as 

I  Mr.  Jordan  supposed,  to  treat  the  crowd,  he  let  go  the  bridle  and 
started  toward  the  door  of  the  saloon,  but  as  he  passed,  the  stranger 
gave  Mr.  Jordan  a  'sockdologer '  behind  the  ear  that  sent  him 
ten  or  fifteen  feet  in  the  street,  and  while  the  roughs  were  rubbing 
him,  and  tryinij:  to  brini>-  him  to  life,  the  stranofcr  deliberately  srot  on 

I  his  horse  and  rode  otf,  and  remarked  to  the  crowd,  as  he  rode  away, 
that  he  would  pass  through  town  again  in  a  week  or  two;  but  the 


480  HISTORY   OF  JASPER   COUNTY. 

above  put  a  stop  to  the  stoppiii<r  of  strangers,  as  they  passed  this 
way.  But  the  roughs  had  to  learn  other  lessons,  that  cost  them  very 
nearly  their  lives,  while  others  (Mr.  Jordan,  for  one)  had  to  flee  the 
country  for  their  country's  good,  and  their  own  safety." 

What  made  the  condition  of  aft'airs  more  unmanageable  was 
that  those  who  were  in  power,  the  oflicials  of  the  county,  were  lead- 
ers of  the  gang.  But  the  law  abiding  people  finally  became  con- 
vinced that  a  heroic  eflbrt  must  be  made.  Benjamin  Harris  was 
finally  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  crime  began  to  sutler  the 
just  penalties  of  its  deeds.  It  is  related  on  one  occasion,  that  a  citi- 
zen of  the  village  was  cited  to  appear  in  the  Justice's  Court,  at  the 
complaint  of  one  of  these  roughs,  or  to  appear  against  him,  and  he 
requested  permission  of"  his  Honor  "  to  bring  his  shot-gun  as  a  means 
of  self-protectiou.  The  request  was  granted,  but  during  the  trial 
the  gun  being  placed  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  was  seized  by  one 
of  the  opposing  party  who  was  prevented  from  killing  the  owner 
of  the  o-un  only  bv  a  timely  interference  of  the  bysfcinders.  By  the 
order  of  the  Court  the  miscreant  was  taken  to  jail.  On  bemg 
released  the  ruffian  declared  he  would  kill  those  who  interfered  with 
him.  This  threat  only  failed  of  execution  by  the  nerve  of  one  of  the 
parties  attacked,  who,  with  a  friend,  served  notice  that  if  the  otiend- 
ing  party  did  not  leave  the  county  they  would  be  waylaid  and 
killed. 

Up  to  this  time  Jasper  County  had  made  but  very  little  progress. 
Up  to  1845  but  little  of  the  lands  in  the  county  had  been  entered. 
A  great  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  county  were  what  is  generally 
termed  squatters,  living  on  government  land  without  titles.     But  in 
the  intei-mediate    time   between  1845-50-;>2   the   publi<-  lands  were 
principally  taken  up,  some  by  actual  settlers  and  a  great  portion  by 
speculators.     This  had  its  eflect  upon  the  countj^-seat,  but  still  the 
growth  was  very  slow.     In    1855   there   were   but  a  dozen  families 
here,  and  in  1874  Newton  Avas  a  town  of  400  inhabitants,  and  all 
communication  Avith  the  outside  world  was  carried  on  by  means  of 
Joe  Litzelmann's  hack  express,  which  made   one  trip  daily  between 
this  place  and  ()lne3^     There   Avas  but  one  store  on  the  east  side, 
Fuller   Xigh's,  three  on  the  north  side,  Iredell  Spoon,  It  B.  Wall 
and  Joseph  Gceppner's,  one  on  the  west  side,  Aloysius  Boos,  one  on 
the  south  side,  Dr.  A)idrews,  David  Max  in  the   buihling  now  occu- 
pied by  George  Forseman,  Dr.  John  Franke's  drug  store  up  at  the  old 
stand,  and  across  the  street  Mr.  S.  Johnson's  store.    The  court  house, 
occupying   the  site  of  the  present  beautiful  edifi'c,  was  an  ancient, 


HISTOKY    OF   JASPEU    COUNTY.  481 

square  box  attair,  built  Avith  very  red  ])rick,  and  liold  together  ^vith 
great  iron  rods.  A  saloon  on  the  south  side  and  one  on  the  eiist 
side,  not  forgetting  Litzelmann's  hotel  and  MilU'r's  hotel,  and  you 
have  a  fair  picture  of  Newton  in  1.S74.  AVith  the  debut  of  the  G.  tt  M. 
niilroad,  in  187(),  its  success  became  assured.  New  life,  new  vigor 
and  ncAV  people  took  possession  of  Newton,  and  to-day  as  a  result  of 
the  building  of  that  road  we  have  our  own  beautiful  comity-seat, 
tilled  with  sul)stantial,  brick,  l)usiness  houses,  as  fine  a  court-house  as 
•  there  is  in  southern  Illinois,  a  splendid  school  building,  the  best 
appointed  opera  house  in  this  part  of  the  State,  mills,  five  tiictories, 
and  an  elegant  and  well  kept  class  of  dwelling  houses. 

April  20,  18;i5,  Newton  Avas  survej^ed  by  order  of  the  Comity 
Commissioners,  by  Thomas  M.  Loy,  deputy  county  surveyor  of 
Ktiingham  County.  The  lines  were  run  at  a  variation  of  (i  degrees, 
the  streets  being  sixty  feet  wide;  the  alleys  twelve  f(^et  wide.  The 
streets  named  on  the  original  map  are  Jordan,  A\'asliington,  Jack- 
son and  Van  Buren,  and  the  alleys,  Richard,  Claycomb,  Mattiiigly, 
Barnes,  Ewing  and  Keynolds.  The  plat  is  laid  out  on  the  east  half 
of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  1,  in  Towmshij)  G  north,  in 
Kange  9  east.  The  lots  are  80  feet  in  front  and  100  feet  deep,  except 
fractional  lots.  The  town  thus  laid  out  consisted  of  eight  blocks  of 
eight  lots  each  beside  the  pul)lic  square,  and  was  bounded,  north  by 
Morgan  Street,  east  by  Clark,  south  by  Decatur  and  west  by  Lafay- 
ette Street.  In  June  1841,  the  town  Avas  re-surveyed  by  William 
Bridges,  when  its  size  was  doubled.  Beginning  at  the  north,  the 
streets  running  west  and  east  were.  Waiter  Street,  20  feet  wide; 
Saint  Marie,  40  feet  wide;  Marion,  00  feet  Avide;  Morgan,  60  feet; 
Jordan,  (iO  feet;  Washington,  GO  feet;  Decatur,  GO  feet;  Harris,  40  feet; 
and  Keynolds,  20  feet  wide.  l>eginning  on  the  west,  the  north  and 
sortth  streets  were  Perry,  20  feet  wide;  Lafayette,  40  feet;  Jackson, 
00  feet;  Van  Buren,  (JO  feet,  and  Clark,  30  fe<;t  wide.  Since  then 
additions  have  been  made  on  the  east  and  south,  so  that  the  village 
liiis  territory  enough  to  build  up  into  a  very  considerable  town. 

The  land  where  the  town  is  located  belonged  to  Benjamin  Key- 
nolds, Avho  donated  every  alternate  lot  to  the  county,  except  the 
public  square,  Avhich  he  gave  in  exchange  for  the  same  amount  of 
land,  out  of  other  lots  that  he  had  given.  The  town  at  that  time 
had  but  four  or  five  families  in  it,  no  jiublic  buildings  except  a  little 
saw-mill  that  stood  wliere  the  brick  mill  now  stiinds.  They  soon 
got  a  post-office,  which  was  a  large  addition  to  the  jilace,  as  they 
received  mail  once  a  week,  if  the  waters  were  not  too  liiirh.     The 


482  HISTORY   OF  JASPER   COUNTi'. 

mail  was  carrictl  on  horseback  from  Vincennes  by  here  aiul  on  north, 
and  came  back  the  next  week.  L'^wis  W.  Jordan  was  appointed 
postmaster,  and  for  want  of  a  buihling  (as  buihhngs  were  scarce 
then),  he  used  his  hat  for  a  post-office. 

There  wjus  little  to  induce  the  incorporation  of  the  village  early. 
The  town  was  isohited  and  dependent  upon  other  villages  for  mar- 
kets and  railroad   tacilities.       In    ISt).),  however,  the  village  wa« 
incorporated  under  the  general  law  of  the  State.     The  boundaries 
were  marked  by  a  line  "beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
west  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section   1,  Township  (i  north* 
of  Range  9  east,  in  the  county  of  Jasper  and  State  of  Illinois;  thence 
west  with  the  line  of  the  township  to  where  the  same  strikes  the 
south  bank  of  the  Embarrass  River;  thence  with  the  raeanderings  of 
the  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  hollow  or  branch  above  where  the 
bridge  now  stands;  thence  due  south  to  the  township  line;  thence 
west  with  the  township  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  east  half 
of  the  northeast  cpiarter  of  Section  2,  in  said  township;  thence  south 
320  poles  or  rods;  thence  east  320  roods;  thence  north  to  the  place  of 
bcirinninj?."     The  center  of  the  town  was  turther  located  "  on  a  line 
running  due  south,  twenty  rods  from  the  bisection  of  Reynolds  and 
Perry  streets."    The  city  ordinances  were  formulated  in  ninety-seven 
sections  and  established  the  usual  regulations  found   in  villages  of 
the   sort.     In  the  matter  of  stock  the  public  sentiment   has  been 
averse  to  as  strict  control  as  suggested  by  the  Town  Board.     Cattle, 
horses  and  dogs  are  restrained,  but  hogs  have  the  liberty  of  the  town 
and  are  less  controlled  than  any  other  " citizen  "  of  the  vil lage.     After 
the  incorporation  of  Newton,  attention  was  paid  at   once   to  the 
l)uilding  of  sidewalks,  and,  from  that  time  forward,  scarcely  a  meet- 
ing of  the  board  has  passed  without  some  action  in  relation  to  this 
feature  of  the  municipality.     The  plan  has  been  to  build  them  gen- 
erally at  the  public  expense,  though  in  case  of  extra  width  one  half 
of  the  expense  has  been  directly  assessed  upon  the  i)roperty  improved. 
The  imi)rovement  of  the  streets  Avas  taken  up  later,  and  this  work 
has  generally  been  confined  to  ordinary  dirt  repairs.     Some  grading 
has  been  done,  the  necessary  filling  baing  accomplisJKMl  by  hauling 
river  sand  and  dirt  from  some  of  the  higher  ridges.     Mud  is  still  a 
irreat  inconvenience  during  some  parts  of  the  year,  though  there  has 
l)cen  a  markeil  improvement  in  recent  years.    It  is  told  by  one  of  the 
i)\d  merchants,  that   he  has  had  to  rescue  his  lady  customers  from 
the  mud  of  the  streets  by  carrying  them  into  the  store  and  then  go 
out  and  rescue  the  sjioes  that  had  been  pulled  off. 


HISTORY    OF   JASPER   COUNTY.  483 

Beyond  these  primary  eflbrts  the  village  authorities  have  not 
been  able  to  attempt  more  advanced  internal  improvements.  Some 
6fteen  or  twenty  street  lamps  were  procured  in  1882,  by  private  sub- 
scription, and  these  are  now  maintained  by  public  expense.  There 
is  no  organized  protection  against  tire  as  vet.  In  May,  1880,  the 
town  was  visited  by  its  most  serious  conflagration,  which  cost  the 
surterers  some  |1,()00.  The  fire  was  discovered  in  the  buildings 
occui)ied  by  H.  ]\I.  Printz  as  an  agricultural  warehouse,  and  Lemay 
Bros',  livery  stable,  which  proved  to  be  the  most  destructive  one 
which  lijis  ever  visited  Xewton.  A\'hen  discovered  the  fire  had  gained 
such  headway  that  it  was  imi)ossible  to  save  anything  out  of  the 
agricultural  building,  and  the  house  and  contents  were  therefore  a 
total  loss.  The  horses,  buggies  and  harness  belouiriujr  to  J.  C  & 
G.  A.  Lomay  were  saved  from  the  livery  stal^le,  and  their  loss, 
therefore,  was  confined  to  the  building  and  a  small  amount  of  hay 
•jind  corn.  From  these  buildings  the  fire  spread  to  the  small  ofiice 
room  owned  l)y  D.  H.  Birt,  and  until  recently,  occu})ied  as  a  shoe 
shop,  but  which  had  been  vacant  for  several  days.  Next  came  John 
A.  Brown'tJ  blacksmith  shop,  stable  and  outbuildings  together  with 
their  contents  which  were  entirely  destroyed.  By  an  almost  super- 
human effort  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  who  turned  out  to  the  res- 
cue, the  two-story  frame  dwelling  house  and  brick  store  room 
belonging  to  Mr.  Brown  were  saved  from  destruction,  although  both 

I  were  damao-ed  to  a  o-reat  extent  l)y  the  heat  and  water.  The  gun 
shop  and  lilacksmith  shop  above  mentioned  were  situated  between 
the  dwelling  and  store  room,  in  fact  within  a  few  feet  of  the  latter, 
and  the  heat  from  the  burning  buildings  were  so  intense  that  it 
burned  and  blistered  the  brick  very  badly  causing  the  walls  to  crack 
and  spring  out  two  or  three  inches. 

The  fire  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  accidental  work  of  night 
strollers,  and  was  discovered  b}'  Breneman  and  ISIason,  of  this  place, 
who  arose  early  on  that  morning  to  tdvc  a  buggy  for  Mai-shall.     It 

I  was  through  th<Mr  prompt  work  that  Lemay's  teams  and  buggies 
were  saved.     Since  this  fire  there  has  been  some  talk  of  securinjr  a 

I  more  efficient  protection  against  a  repetition  of  such  a  disaster,  but 
this  talk  had  ended  in  nothing  more  material  than  talk. 

The  village  of  Newton,  on  the  whole,  has  a  promising  future. 
Two  railroads  now  pass  through  the  central  part,  another  has  been 
located  near  their  intersection,  and  tAvo  more  are  talked  of  The 
country  about  is  rapidly  developing,  and  with  its  pros]ierity  the 
county-seat  will  surely  thrive     The  early  drawback  to  its  pros[)erity 


4^4  HISTORY    OF   JASPER    COUNTY. 

is  removed.  With  the  inauijuration  of  the  ''Muipliy"  movement, 
the  substantial  i)ortion  of  the  community,  irrespective  of  political 
atfiliations,  joined  in  the  effort  to  root  the  liquor  traffic  out  of  the 
town,  and  after  succeasive  alternations  of  high  and  higher  license 
and  total  prohibition,  the  latter  has  been  the  accepted  principle,  and 
no  liquor  is  sold  save  by  the  drug-stores  for  medicinal  i)urposes.  The 
closing  of  business  houses  on  Sunday  has  just  begun,  and  step  by 
step  the  village  is  taking  rank  with  the  most  advanced  position  in 
municipal  morals.  This  must  have  its  natural  ctfect  upon  the  pros- 
perity of  Xewton,  and  in  the  next  decade  it  seems  certain  to  far 
exceed  its  competitors  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

Saint  Marie- — The  American  Kevolution.  followed  by  that  in 
France,  the  Napoleonic  regime,  the  Bourbon  return,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  the  first  Republic,  served  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  French 
people  to  America.  Although  something  of  liberty  was  enjoyed  by 
the  French,  the  middle  class  and  peasantry  looked  to  the  American 
Repul)lie  Avitli  vague  longings  as  the  asylum  for  all  oppressed  people. 
This  feeling  was  strong  in  the  Province  of  Alsace,  and  it  was  a  dailv 
occurrence  to  see  wagon  after  wagon  conveying  the  household  efi'ects 
of  such  of  the  peasantry  as  were  happy  enough  to  be  able  to  ship 
to  the  new  country  beyond  the  sea.  Among  others  who  shared  this 
feeling  Avere  the  families  of  James  Picquet,  Sr.,  and  brothers,  Schif- 
fei*stine  ahd  Huffman.  These  families  Avere  well-to-do,  but  desiring 
that  their  families  might  be  reared  in  a  freer  air,  determined  to  send 
some  one  to  s})y  out  the  land.  Joseph  Picquet,  then  a  lad  of  nine- 
teen 3'ears,  was  selected,  and  in  September,  ISS.'),  hi»  landed  in  New 
York.  Ignorant  of  the  lan<>ua2:e  and  customs  of  the  countrv,  he 
went  to  Philadelphia  and  engaged  in  a  business  house  for  some  nine 
months,  to  gain  this  preliminary  education.  In  the  early  part  of  the 
following  year,  Mr.  Picquet  set  out  on  his  journey  of  investigation. 
He  visited  the  various  land  offices  at  l^ittsburgli.  Lima,  Ohio,  and 
Fort  Wa3''ne,  Ind.,  then  following  the  Wabash  tSc  Krie  Canal  on  horse- 
])ack  he  came  to  Covington,  and  then  struck  across  to  Danville,  111., 
from  thence  went  to  Chicago,  thence  to  Michigan  City,  Indianapolis, 
and  Vincennes.  From  this  latter  point  he  started  for  \'aiidalia 
through  tliis  region,  but  in  attempting  to  cross  the  Embarrass  Kiver 
was  nearly  drowned,  and  finally  got  to  his  destination,  attacked  by 
a  severe  fever.  Thence  he  went  to  Saint  Louis,  where  he  lay  sick 
for  some  days.  h\  October,  183(),  he  returned  to  France  and  made 
so  favorable  a  report  that  in  July,  1837,  he  came  back  with  a  colony 
of  four  families  and  twelve  young  people,  about  twenty-five  pei-sons 


HISTOUY    OF  JASPEK   COUNTY.  485 

in  all.  A  small  farm  Mas  1)ou2:ht  near  Franoisville,  and  here  the 
colony  rested  to  look  about  them.  In  Oc'tobi'r,  1837,  Joseph  Pic'<juet 
bouirht  some  12,000  acres  of  land  in  Jas])er  County,  and  about  this 
time  the  colony  pitched  their  tabernacle  on  the  sio-ht  of  Saint  Marie. 
The  name  tirst  adopted  was  Colonic  dcs  Freres, — Colony  of  Brothers, 
— wliich  was  subsequently  changed  to  its  i)resent  name.  This  colony, 
made  uj)  of  Frenchmen  and  devout  Catholics,  took  formal  i)osscssion 
of  their  new  home  in  the  style  of  the  early  discoverers  of  their  nation. 
Gathering  on  a  knoll  just  across  the  railroad  from  the  present  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Joseph  Picquet,  the  company  fired  a  few  \()lleys  from 
their  guns,  sang  appropriate  songs  and  concluded  with  other  appro- 
[)riate  ceremonies.  The  people  who  'gathered  here  were  largely  of 
the  farming  class,  but  were  little  ac(|uainted  with  the  necessities  of 
the  frontier  life  that  confronted  them.  Xone  were  woodsmen,  and  in 
building  theircabins  the  young  forgot  what  a  useful  labor-saving  insti- 
tution an  ox'-teani  was.  and  deliberately  carried  all  their  logs  to  the 
site  of  the  cabin.  Experience  taught  the  necessary  lessons,  and 
being  resolute,  cheerful  peoi)le,  obstacles  were  overcome  and  a  thriv- 
ing settlement  founded. 

In  1838,  Joseph  Picquet  started  the  first  store,  bringing  the 
goods  from  Philadelphia  via  Evansville,  and  thence  by  wagon. 
Goods  were  purchased  at  Evansville  or  Louisville  and  wagoned  across 
the  country,  save  when  the  stage  of  Avater  and  the  plving  of  steam- 
boats allowed  a  sliii:)ment  bv  river  to  Vincennes.  The  cost  of  freiirht- 
inof  oroods  was  one  cent  per  mile  on  a  hundred  weio-ht,  amountinirto 
about  $1.23  for  land  transportation.  The  early  trade  Avas  principally 
barter,  skins  and  honey  being  the  jirincipal  articles  the  farmers  had 
for  exchange.  Game  was  abundant,  and  the  timber  swarmed  Avith 
tlie  honev-bae.  The  latter  Avas  svstcmaticallv  hunted,  and  honey 
brought  into  the  store  by  the  wagon  load.  In  l.s3*l,  Mr.  Picijuet  put 
up  the  first  steam  saw-mill  in  the  county,  buying  the  machinery, 
second-hand,  l)ut  little  used,  near  Vincennes.  A  grist-mill  Avas  added 
at  once,  the  machinery  baing  purchased  at  Pittsburgh.  This  Avas 
the  Hrst  steam  grist-mill  in  all  this  region,  and  attracted  i)atronag6 
from  an  area  of  forty  miles  aAvay.  For  years  Saint  Marie  was  the 
connnercial  metropolis  of  Jasper  County,  and  in  its  early  yetirs  bid 
fair  to  hold  this  position  for  all  time.  The  founders  Avere  Avealthy, 
the  natural  advantages  good,  and  the  early  enteri)risc  kept  i)ace  with 
the  deA('h)piicnt  of  the  countiy.  The  railroads,  hoAvever,  Avrought 
unfavorable  changes.  These  gaA^e  Newton  an  impetus,  built  up  Wil- 
loAv  Hill  and  Boos'  Station,  all  of  Avhich  compete  Avith  tliis  village 


486  HISTORY   OF  JASPER    COUNTY. 

The  early  business  men  who  were  the  life  of  the  place  either  retired 
or  removed  to  other  places,  and  Saint  Marie  has  been  surpassed  by 
more  favored  places.  The  location  of  the  village  on  the  river,  prac- 
tically cut  off  from  the  east  country  by  the  poor  road  across  the 
bottoms,  is  rather  unfavorable  forlits  present  development,  but  it  is 
hoped  that  with  improved  roadways  the  wheat-growing  country 
beyond  will  find  its  market  here  and  aid  in  building  up  the  town. 

The  village  was  platted  in  June,  1847,  by  Joseph  Picquet.  The 
lots  and  streets  are  run  from  north  to  south  foiu*  and  a  half  desrrees 
west  of  south,  and  from  east  to  west  they  are  run  four  degrees 
north  of  west.  The  lots  vary  in  size  from  34  to  f)0  feet  front,  and 
from  100  to  192  feet  deep.  The  plat  consisted  of  220  lots,  disposed 
in  14  blocks.  The  streets  are  designated  by  numerals;  numbers  1  to 
4  run  east  and  west,  and  uumbsrs  5  to  11  run  east  to  west.  Streets 
numbers  1,  2,  7,  8,  9  and  10  are  each  {]6  feet  wide,  uumbors  3,  5  and  6 
are  62  feet  wide,  and  numbsrs  4  and  11  are  20  feet  wide.  One 
block  450  feet  wide  bv  1,060  feet  long  is  left  vacant,  but  is  now 
divided  by  the  railroad.  *The  village  is  located  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  Embarrass  River,  in  Saint  ]\Iarie  Township,  seven  miles  east 
and  four  miles  south  of  Newton.  It  was  settled  by  the  French  col- 
onists, Picquets  and  others,  Avho  improved  it  slowly  but  surely.  The 
progress  of  the  place  was  seriously  impeded  by  the  destruction  by 
fire  of  not  one  only,  but  the  second  flouring  mill,  yet  the  town  grew 
slowly  until  1881,  when  the  Danville,  Olney  &  Ohio  River  Railroad 
was  built  through  the  place,  since  which  time  it  has  taken  new  life. 
In  18.51,  a  bridge  was  built  across  the  river  at  the  town;  also  a  grade 
a  mile  long,  to  the  hill  on  the  north  of  the  river,  which  connects  it 
with  Willow  Hill  Township,  which  is  a  great  advant-age  to  both 
townships.  The  town  was  incorporated  under  the  village  act  in 
1870.  Its  population  is  now  850 — next  in  age  and  size  to  Newton. 
Its  most  striking  buildings  area  Catholic  (brick)  church,  built  in 
1850,  with  parsonage,  and  an  establishment  of  Sisters  of  Charity, 
who  devote  their  time  to  the  nursing  [of  the  sick,  raising  orphans 
and  taking  care  of  old  people.  The  schoolhouse,  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  first,  free  school  buildings  erected  in  Jasper  County,  has  been 
for  the  last  ten  or  eleven  years  under  the  able  direction  of  Mr.  George 
Hubert,  who  is  a  noted  teacher  of  our  county.  "Their  church  and 
schools  are  well  attended.  The  principal  business  of  the  place  is 
the  saw-mill  and  stave  factory,  which  furnish  employment  for  25  to 
t^O  liMiids,  two  general  stores,  two  grocery  stores,  one  hardware  store 

*  The  following  in  relation  to  villagea  is  copied  from  Johnson's  historieiil  sketch. 


HISTORY    OF  JASPER   COUNTY.  487 

and  tin-shop,  one  seed  store,  two  blacksmith  and  wagon  shops,  three 
carpenters,  three  shoe  makers,  one  cooper  and  vintner.  The  nearness 
of  the  dark  bend  to  Saint  Marie,  with  its  vast  quantities  of  white 
oak  and  other  timber,  will  be  a  great  source  of  wealth  to  Saint 
Marie  for  years  to  come. 

Mount  Sidney. — Laid  out  July,  1<S41,  on  Section  20,  Township  8^ 
Range  10,  in  Crooked  Creek  Township,  but  it  soon  went  back,  as  it 
is  not  known  as  a  town  by  many  now  living  in  the  township. 

Gi'andville. —  (Or  Yale,  as  the  post-office  is  called),  was  laid  out 
October,  1847,  is  located  near  the  center  of  Grandvillc  Township 
on  a  bcautifid  elevated  place  in  the  prairie,  has  about  one  hundred 
inhabitants,  two  hotels,  two  churches  (almost  new),  oneschoolhouse 
with  ofood  school  six  to  eisfht  months  of  the  vear,  one  blacksmith 
shop,  post-office,  etc.,  but  the  Danville,  Olney  &  Ohio  River  Railroad 
missed  them  about  half  a  mile,  and  as  the  township  refused  to  issue 
the  bonds  previously  voted,  the  railroad  authorities  refuse  to  stop 
their  trains  near  the  town. 

BrockviUe. — Was  laid  out  February,  1853 — is  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  Willow  Hill  Township,  has  a  very  nice  frame  church  and 
frame  schoolhouse,  church  and  school  well  attended,  and  about  forty 
inhabitants,  but  no  post-office. 

Buena  Vista. — Laid  out  October,  1853,  in  Section  32,  in  Small- 
wood  Township.  Several  lots  were  sold  and  one  or  two  houses 
built,  but  the  town  went  back.  A.  A.  Hunkins  now  cultivates  the 
town  as  part  of  his  farm. 

Centerville. — Laid  out  January,  1S54,  on  Section  21,  Township  8, 
Rjinge  10,  Crooked  Creek  Township.  The  name,  or  something  else, 
was  too  much  for  the  town,  and  it  died. 

Plainfield. — One  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  Centerville, 
was  laid  out  in  the  next  month,  February,  and  was  a  little  more  suc- 
cessful, as  it  succeeded  in  o-ettino-  two  or  three  dwellin«-  houses,  one 
schoolhouse  and  church,  but  has  stopped  at  that. 

Harrishurg. — One  mile  west  of  Plainfield,  was  laid  out  the  same 
day  that  Plainfield  was.  It  was  not  quite  as  successful  in  the  way 
of  schoolhouses  and  churches  as  its  rival,  but  more  successful  in  some 
other  rcs[)(!cts,  as  it  succeeded  in  getting  more  dwellings,  one  or  two 
stores,  a  blacksmith  shop,  etc. 

Queenstown. — Laid  out  in  April,  1854,  on  Section  31,  Townsliip  (5, 
Range  8,  near  the  west  line  of  South  Muddy  Township.  The  inhab- 
itants can  scarcely  rejilize  the  fact  now  that  there  was  once  a  town 
so  near  them. 


488  HISTORY   OF  JASPEU   COUNTY. 

Iranklin. — Born  May,  1854,  ou  Section  1(),  Township  7,  Range  8, 
on  the  same  section  that  Wheeler  is  now  located,  bnt  Franklin  is 
loner  since  dead  and  bnried. 

Constcuitino])le- — Laid  ont  July,  1854,  on  Section  5,  Township  6, 
Range  8,  in  the  southwest  part  of  North  ]Muddy  Town^.hip.  It  soon 
went  back.     The  name  Avas  too  much  for  it. 

JSTev:  Liberty. — (Post-orfice  AVillow  Ilill),  in  AVillow  Hill  Town- 
ship, was  laid  out  August,  1854,  and  is  seven  and  one-half  miles  due 
east  of  Newton,  and  is  next  in  size  to  Saint  Marie.  It  is  a  lively 
town,  as  in  the  last  eighteen  months  the  S.,  E.  &  S.-E.  R.  R.  and  D., 
O.  &  O.  R.  R.  R.  have  been  built  through  the  township,  cross  each 
other  at  the  north  edge  of  the  town,  which  has  given  it  new^  life.  The 
town  now  has  three  stores  keeping  a  good  general  stock  of  merchan- 
dise, one  drug  store,  one  grocery  store,  one  hardware  store,  three 
restaurants,  two  blacksmith  shops,  three  grain  and  flour  dealers,  one 
stock  and  gmiu  dealer,  two  farming  implement  dealers,  one  butcher, 
one  shoe  maker,  one  milliner,  one  hotel,  one  good  flouring  mill,  one 
carpenter  and  undertaker,  one  house  carpenter,  one  police  magistrate, 
two  justices  of  the  peace,  a  post-oftice,  two  depots  and  express  oflices, 
three  physicians,  and  three  hundred  inhabitants,  tw^o  churches,  and 
one  nice  two-story  brick  schoolhouse.  The  town  has  doubled  its 
inhabitants  in  two  years,  and  they  say  all  they  want  now  is 
room,  and  to  be  let  alone;  and  where  will  they  l)e  in  two  years 
more? 

Pleasant  Hill— Laid  out  August,  1854,  two  miles  east  of  New 
Liberty,  in  Section  4.  It  made  a  failure  as  a  town,  except  two  or 
three  houses,  a  church  and  schoolhouse,  and  all  together  is  called 
Pingtown. 

West  Liberty.— Liiiid  out  December,  1854,  near  the  northeast 
corner  of  Section  22,  in  Fox  Township,  but  never  had  much  town 
except  a  church,  and  in  October,  1877,  Mr.  D.  B.  Brown  and  others  laid 
out  a  town  in  the  south  part  of  the  same  section,  on  the  P.,D.  &  E.  R.  R-, 
where  the  D.,  O.  &  O.  R.  R.  R.  has  since  crossed  the  former  road,  and 
called  it  West  Liberty,  where  they  have  fair  prospects  of  a  nice 
toAvn.  It  is  located  on  a  beautiful  prairie,  nine  and  oue-half  miles 
south  and  four  miles  east  of  Newton,  about  half-way  to  Olncy. 
West  Liberty  is  in  the  advance,  has  100  inhabitants,  one  dry  goods 
store,  where  they  keep  a  very  good  supply  of  general  merchandise, 
one  grocery  and  notion  store,  one  drug  store,  one  shoe  shop,  one 
wagon  and  carpenter  sho[),  one  warehouse  and  grain  dealer,  a  post- 
olHce,  telegraph  and  express  oflices,  etc.     They  yet  need  a  good  mill 


HISTORY   OF   JASPER    COUNTY.  489 

and  a  t'hurcli  in  which  to  worship.  With  the  railroad  facilities  that 
West  Liberty  has,  there  is  no  reason  why  it  may  not  nnmber  its 
inhal)itants  by  the  hnndreds  in  a  very  short  time. 

Point  Pleasant. — In  Section  10,  or  northeast  part  of  Crooked 
Creek  T()wnslii[),  was  hiid  ont  ()ct<)ber,  18,5.').  It  is  in  a  fine  neigh- 
borhood, has  one  store,  two  l)hicksmith  and  wag-on  shops,  and 
eighteen  or  twenty  inhabitants,  bnt  has  so  far  failed  as  to  being-  en- 
titled to  the  name  of  a  city. 

Haysvilh. — Laid  ont  February,  18.58,  on  Section  21,  in  Grove 
Township.  It  might  have  made  a  town,  had  not  Mr.  A.  G.  Cald- 
well, Sr.,  bought  the  land  and  laid  out  his  large  farm  over  it.  A 
man  by  the  name  of  Hays  once  started  a  store  and  run  it  for  awhile  in 
the  town. 

Emharrassh'iUe. — Laid  out  October,  1858,  in  Section  20,  Saint 
^larie  Townshiii,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Embarrass  River.  Thev 
once  had  a  saw-mill  and  a  few  iidiabitants,  but  is  not  doinofmuch  at 
})resent. 

Lanffdon. — Laid  out  Juh',  18GI,  in   Section  2,  in  Grove  Town- 
ship, near  Island  Creek.     At  one  time  they  had  a  small  store  (pea- 
nuts and  crackers  and  a  few  fire-crackers),  a  shoe  shop  and  a  black 
smith  shop,  and  they  all  did  some  business  in  their  line,  and  I  am 
told  the  heaviest  business  done  in  the  town  was  loafing. 

Rose  /////.— Laid  out  1878,  on  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.,  seven  and 
three  ({uarter  miles  north  of  Newton.  The  town  took  its  name  from 
a  post-oth'ce  that  Mr.  A.  S.  Harris  got  established  about  1839,  when 
^Ir.  H.  lived  on  a  little  hill  in  the  Embarrass  River  bottom,  west  of 
llarrisliurg.  Mr.  H.  moved  to  Harrisburg  in  1840,  and  took  the  office 
with  him.  Some  years  after,  he  moved  to  Xewton,  after^  which  the 
post-office  was  knocked  around  the  country  for  a  mile  or  two,  until 
the  town  (Rose  Hill)  was  located  as  above.  The  town,  including 
Harrisburg,  has  12S  inhabitants,  three  stores  keeping  a  general  stock 
of  merchandise,  and  one  or  two  of  which  "arc  quite  a  credit  to  any 
•  ouutrv  village,  one  hottd  and  boarding-house,  a  nice  depot  and  ex- 
[)ress  office,  two  or  three  grain  dealers,  drug  store,  stave  factory, 
blacksmith  shop,  and  all  other  things  necessary  to  make  up  quite  a 
lively  little  town.  They  have  a  new  frame  church  that  is  well 
itten<lod,  with  its  Sabbath-school,  that  is  a  great  credit  to  the  com- 
munity. There  are  a  great  many  staves,  railroad  ties,  grain,  etc., 
-hipped  from  the  place,  and  should  nothing  hap[)en  the  town,  they 
ox[)eft  to  catch  up  with  some  of  its  older  rivals  soon. 

The  foUowinir  towns  h;ive  never  been  regularly  laid  out,  or  plats 


4i>U  HISTORY   OF   JASPER   COUNTY. 

tiled  for  record,  yet  some  of  them  think  they  are  entitled  to  the  name 
of  a  town. 

Hunt  City. — (Now  in  AVillow  Hill  Township)  was  first  started 
in  Grandville  Township,  in  the  year  1872,  John  A.  Hunt  owner  ot 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Hunt  City  farm,  erected  a  storeroom  on 
his  premises,  put  in  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  and  petitioned 
for  a  post-otfice.  Said  office  was  granted  and  called  Hunt  City.  In 
February,  187G,  J.  A.  Hunt  sold  his  store  to  S.  B.  Bowman  &  Co. 
In  July,  1878,  S.  B.  Bowman  e^  Co.  sold  the  store  to  E.  AV.  Parks, 
who  continued  the  business  till  November,  1881.  when  the  store  and 
post-ofifice  were  destroyed  by  fire.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  J.  N.  Huston,, 
owner  of  the  Hunt  City  farm,  had  a  town  laid  out  in  Willow  Hill 
Township,  bordering  on  the  north  line  of  the  same,  four  miles  north  ot 
Willow  Hill,  and  on  the  D..  ().  c^-  O.  R.  R.  R.,  and  known  as  Hunt 
City. 

Immediately  after  the  town  was  laid  out,  several  parties  com- 
menced the  erection  of  good,  substantial  business  and  dwelling  houses. 
It  now  numbers  l.")0  inhabitants,  two  stores,  both  doing  a  good  busi- 
ness, one  irood  fiourinu-mill  doino^  a  larofe  business,  one  hotel,  one 
grain  house,  one  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop,  a  depot,  telegraph 
office  and  express  office.  Parties  now  in  business,  are  T.  H.  Week, 
merchant;  Stewart  Brothers,  merchants;  W.  C  Parks,  proprietor  of 
hotel;  Jones  &  Debow%  proprietors  of  mill  and  dealei-s  in  grain;  E. 
W.  Parks,  dealer  in  grain;  M.  L.  Gettinger,  M.  Bilby,  physicians; 
George  Beeman,  G.  F.  Merritte  and  C  L.  Burk,  carpenters;  Fred 
Byerly,  blacksmith;  AVilliam  Byerly,  wagon  maker;  Isaiah  Stewart, 
postmaster;  E.  W.  Parks,  freight  and  ticket  agent  for  D.,  O.  &  O.  R- 
R.  R.  and  Adams  Express  agent;  Jesse  E.  Parks,  telegraph  operator 
for  Western  Union;  Bates  &,  Buchanan,  breeders  of  Xornian  hoi-scs. 
short-horn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs. 

Hunt  City  is  situated  on  a  beautiful  rolling  prairie,  sunt)unik'il 
])y  as  good  farming  land  as  can  be  found  in  southern  Illinois,  and 
inhabited  by  well-to-do  farmers.  It  ships  more  grain  over  the  D.,  O- 
&  O.  R.  R.  R.  than  any  other  point  on  the  line,  and  is  destined  in  the 
near  future  to  become  a  place  of  considerable  importance. 

Hi<IaJ(jo. — Three  and  oiKMpiarter  miles  north  (»f  Rose  Hill,  was 
stiirted  in  1878,  by  G-  D.  Briggs,  on  the  P..  1).  .*t  E.  R.  \U  lias  two 
stores,  keeping  a  general  stoc-k  of  merchandise,  two  blacksmith  shops, 
post-office,  dei)ot,  express  office,  etc.,  and  has  about  thirty-five  inhab- 
itants. There  are  a  great  many  railroad  ties  shii)i)ed  fioni  the  jjlace, 
and  of  a  cfood  season,  considerable  arain  also. 


HISTORY    OF  JASPER   COUNTY.  491 

Fahnouth' — Four  miles  north,  and  one  mile  east  of  Newton,  on 
the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.,  was  laid  out  in  1.S81,  by  Hunt  &  Brooks,  on  a 
small  prairie,  has  one  store  in  which  they  keep  a  general  stock  of 
merchandise,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  boarding-house,  post-office, 
express  otHce,  depot  and  grain  house,  has  about  forty-two  inhabitants, 
and  considerable  business  is  done  (for  a  small  town)  in  ties  and  grain. 

Latona. — Eight  and  one-half  miles  west,  and  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  south  of  Newton,  in  North  Muddy  Township.  The  first  improve- 
ment was  made  by  S.  Trexler,  in  18(59.  They  have  one  store,  keep- 
ing a  good  stock  of  general  merchandise,  one  boot  and  shoo  shop, 
one  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop,  one  drug  store,  two  saw-mills,  and 
one  nice  frame  church.  They  have  forty-four  iuliabitants.  They  also 
have  post-office  with  daily  mail. 

WJieeler. — (First  platted  as  Mason),  eight  and  one-half  miles 
west,  and  three  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Newton,  in  North  Muddy 
Township,  on  the  S-,  E.  &  S.  E.  R.  R.,  was  laid  out  about  a  year  ago, 
by  Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Carter  (the  town  was  named  in  honor  of  Mrs. 
Carter's  first  husband,  who  first  improved  the  land  on  which  the  town 
is  located,  but  who  died  while  in  the  army,  in  the  fall  of  18GI).  They 
have  now  sixty-nine  inhabitants,  two  large  two-story  store  houses, 
where  is  kept  a  large  stock  of  merchandise,  one  drug  store,  one  agri- 
cultural implement  house,  one  blacksmith  shop,  one  silversmith  shoj), 
one  boarding-house,  one  brick  kiln  and  large  flouring-mill  to  be  put 
up  this  season.  The  town  is  surrounded  by  as  rich  a  soil  as  we  have 
in  the  county,  and  if  nothing  happens  the  town,  it  will  be  quite  a 
little  city  in  a  short  time. 

List. — Is  not  a  town,  but  a  post-office  on  the  S.,  E.  &  S.  E.  R. 
R,  six  miles  northwest  of  Newton.  No  town  laid  out  and  no  houses 
to  put  on  the  lots  if  there  were  any  lots. 

Boos  Station. — Five  miles  southeast  of  Newton,  in  Fox  Town- 
ship, on  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.,  has  a  large  store  and  well-assorted  stock  of 
goo  Is,  blacksmith  shop,  post-office,  depot,  etc.,  in  a  good  section  of 
the  county,  and  ought  to  do  considerable  business. 

Bogota — At  the  cross-roads  in  Smaliwood  Township,  at  what  is 
called  Honey's  Church,  is  promising  fair  to  make  a  town  if  nothing 
happens  it.  They  have  about  thirty  inhabitants,  four  grocery  stores, 
one  store  keeping  general  stock,  one  blacksmith  shop,  a  schoolhousc, 
two  churches  and  one  mill  that  grinds  corn. 

Advance. — Post-office  and  town  started  on  the  D.,0.  &0.  R.  R.R., 
near  the  north  line  of  Grandville  Township,  just  starting  in  a  good 
country,  and  may  surprise  us  yet. 

30 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


VILLAGE  OF  NEWTON  AND   WADE  TOWNSHIP. 

J.  F.  ARNOLD,  Jk.,  son  of  Fletcher  and  Rebecca  Jane  (Wagle) 
Arnold,  was  born  April  21,  1851.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  school  until  his  twentieth  year,  when  he  began 
teaching  in  order  to  obtain  sutiicient  means  to  pa}  for  a  college 
course.  In  1871  he  entered  McKendree  College,  near  Saint  Louis, 
from  which  he  graduated  with  honors  in  1874,  after  which  he  taught 
five  terms  of  school.  In  1877  he  was  chosen  County  Superintendent 
for  one  year,  and  was  again  elected  in  1882.  In  187G  he  married 
Miss  Selah  Barton,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  who  has  borne  him  two 
children — Edward  and  Eugene. 

JOHN  M.  BELL,  editor  of  the  Times,  at  Newton,  was  born  in 
that  town  in  1858.  He  received  his  earlier  education  at  the  common 
school,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  went  to  Washington,  Daviess  Co., 
Ind.,  where  he  attended  school  as  regularly  as  his  health  would  per- 
mit. The  greater  part  of  his  education  was  acquired,  however,  by 
hard  study  at  home,  he  being  naturally  inclined  to  literature.  He 
partially  served  an  apprenticeship  with  his  father  at  tailoring,  but 
in  1872  began  to  learn  printing  with  A.  L.  Walker,  then  editor  of 
the  Press.  In  1871)  he  went  into  the  Ti7nes  office  and  worked  for 
E.  B.  Gorell  until  June,  1882.  In  1883  he  formed  a  partnership  in 
the  Times  with  John  P.  Heap,  Mr.  Bell  assuming  the  position  of  senior 
editor.  In  1878  he  married  Miss  Serinda  E.  Dodd,  who  has  borne 
him  three  children — May,  Don  and  Vernon. 

W.  L.  BRIDGES  is  the  sixth  son  of  Absalom  and  Maria 
(Laray)  Bridges,  and  was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va.,  in  1841. 
At  the  age  of  four  years  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Jasper  County, 
and  was  here  reared  to  manhood.  In  1801  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  Twenty-First  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  [shortly  afterward  chosen 
Orderly  Sergeant.  He  served  until  September  20,  18G3,  when  he 
was  captured  at  Chickamauga  and  taken  to  Richmond,  next  sent  to 
Danville  and  then  to  Andersonville,  where  he  was  confined  fourteen 
months.  Absalom  Bridges,  on  first  coming  to  Jasper  County,  taught 
school,  worked  as  a  carpenter,  later  practiced  law,  and  for  some 
years  filled  the  positions  of  Probate  Judge  and  County  Judge.  He 
was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va.,  in    1811,  and  died  in  this 


VILLAGE    OF    NKWTON    AND    WADE    TOWNSHIP.  493 

county  in  18()0.  His  brother  William,  an  oarly  .settler,  helped  to 
lay  out  Jasper  County,  W.  L.  Bridges  was  married,  in  LSI)'),  to  MLss 
L.  J.  Hayes,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizal)ctli  (Martin)  Hayes, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  his  children  are  two  in  nund)cr— Anna  L. 
and  Charles  A. 

:\I.  K.  BUSICK,  son  of  George  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Byerly) 
Busick,  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  in  1844,  attended  school 
until  lift  ecu  years  old,  then  came  with  his  father  to  this  State  and 
settled  on  a  farm  near  Parkei-sburgh.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  ( 18G1 ), 
he  enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  after  serving  five 
months  was  captured  by  the  enemy.  He  was  released  March  16, 
18()3,  re-joined  his  regiment  at  Memphis,  and  was  appointed  Regi- 
mental Quartermaster.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Richland  County,  where  his  father  had  located  in  1859.  In  18()4  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Arnold,  who  died  in  1879,  leaving  two  children 
— George  A.  and  Anna  May.  In  1881  ]Mr.  Busick  married  Miss 
Clara,  daughter  of  Harrie  Edson,  and  to  this  marriage  was  born  one 
child — Harrie  (deceased).  Mr.  Busick  is  of  Scotch  descent  from  his 
father  and  Dutch  from  his  mother.  His  father,  George  Busick,  was 
born  in  1823,  and  died  in  Richland  County  in  1871 ;  his  mother,  born 
in  1825,  is  still  living  in  Parkersburgh.  Her  father  was  a  native  of 
Pennsvlvania  and  a  soldier  in  1812.  Mr.  M.  K.  Busick  is  a  Knififht 
of  Pythias. 

J.  M.  CATT  was  born  in  1838,  in  Jasper  County,  III.;  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  enlisted, 
August  2,  18(51,  in  Compau}^  K,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
connnanded  by  William  T.  Carlin,  and  served  in  the  Department  of 
the  Cumberland  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  fought  in  the  battles 
of  Frcdericktown,  Mo.,  Shiloh,  Perryvillc,  Ky.,  Stone  River,  Mur- 
freesboro,  Nolensville,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  Lookout  Mount- 
ain, Buzzard's  Roost,  Resaca,  Pine  iSIountain,  where  Rebel  General 
Polk  was  killed;  Peach  Tree  Creek,  siege  of  Atlanta,  Bald  Knob, 
Marietta,  Jonesboro,  Lovcjoy  Station,  Nashville  and  Franklin  (where 
ten  rebel  Generals  were  killed).  After  a  service  of  four  years  and 
seven  months  he  returned  home,  and  in  18(58  was  joined  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Margaret  E.  Chambers,  daughter  of  Rev.  George  and 
Mary  (Percy)  Chambers.  The  result  of  the  union  was  five  children, 
viz:  Milton  C,  Flora,  Jobe  W.,  Martha  E.,  and  Jacob  M.  He  is 
father  of  two  other  children  by  a  former  marriage — George  J.  and 
Joseph  A.  His  father,  Job  Catt,  was  of  German  descent,  bora  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  removed  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  where  he  mar- 


494  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES JASPER   COUNTY: 

rieil  Mary  Stx)iit,  dauirhtcr  of  Joscj)!!  Stout.  They  reiircd  a  family 
of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Mui'i>aret,  Mary,  John,  Charles, 
Rsichel,  Catharine,  Josiah,  Elizabeth,  J.  ]\I.;  four  others,  not  named, 
died  in  infancy,  lie  was  one  of  the  early  i)ioneers  of  Jasper  County 
and  was  here  when  the  Indians  were  yet  numerous. 

C.  M.  DAVIS,  editor  of  the  Mentor,  at  Newton,  was  born  in 
Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  in  1847.  At  the  age  of  seven  hecjime  to  Illi- 
nois, and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  McLean  County,  until  fifteen, 
when  he  removed  to  toAvn  and  clerked  in  a  store  imtil  1874.  He 
then  established  the  Enquirer  at  Le  Koy,  conducted  that  journal  seven 
years,  then  came  to  Newton  and  issued  the  fii-st  number  of  the  Men- 
tor,  November  8,  1882.  It  is  the  onh'  i)aper  of  the  name  in  the 
United  States,  and  has  been  a  success  from  the  start.  In  1880,  Mr. 
Davis  married  Miss  Belle  Brewer. 

A.  A.  FKANKE,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Joim 
G.  and  Gertrude  (Fisher)  Franke,  and  was  born  in  Newton,  this 
county,  in  1852.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Jasper,  and  at 
Teutopolis,  in  Effingham  County;  graduating  at  the  age  of  sixteen. 
He  then  served  as  clerk  in  his  father's  drug  store  in  Newton  until 
twenty-three,  in  the  meanwhile  studying  medicine  under  his  father's 
tutorage.  In  187(>,  he  entered  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  and 
subsequently  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1877,  and  soon  after  began  practice  in  his  native  town, 
where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  In  1880,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Lizzie  P.,  daughter  of  Fuller'and  Sarah  (Harris)  Nigh,  early 
settlers  of  Jasper  County.  He  is  the  father  of  one  daughter — Clara 
*B.  His  father,  Dr.  John  G.  Franke,  was  a  native  of  Westphalia, 
Prussia,  was  born  February  17,  1817,  and  died  in  this  county,  March 
15,  1888. 

JAMES  E.  FREEiMAN  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  in 
1842,  in  Preble  County.  While  young  he  Avent  with  his  parents  to 
Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  came  soon  after  to  Jasper  ('ounty,  111.  In 
1861,  he  entered  ('omi)any  K,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  William  P.  Carlin.  After  his  service  he  attended 
school,  in  18()4,  in  Indiana;  after  which  he  served  as  railroad  agent 
until  the  fall  of  18()5.  In  bSCS,  he ,  married  Miss  Frances  Jones, 
daughter  of  William  Jones,  who  was  one  of  the  tii*st  scttlei-s  in  this 
county,  and  for  many  years  County  Kecorder,  Assessor,  Justice  of 
the  Peace  and  Supervisor  of  Wade  Townshii)  after  the  township 
was  an  or<jani/ation.  Mr.  Freeman  has  four  children — Willie  E-, 
Guy  S.,  Edna,  and    Lulu.     His  father,  Gustavius   Freeman,  wjus  a 


VILLAGK    OF    NKWTON    AND    WADK    TOWNSHII*. 


4Si 


native  of  Culpepper  (\iuiity,  V;i.,  where  he  was  ])orn  in  1814.  VV^hile 
joiing  he  removed  to  liedt'ord  County,  that  State,  and  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  to  J^reble  County,  Ohio,  when;  he  married  Miss  Sarah 
Stover,  a  native  of  Shenandoah  County,  Va.  He  removed  to  Shelby 
County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day,  and  to  Jasper  County  in  1852,  where  he 
entered  and  bought  a  tract  of  land  containing  some  400  acres.  He 
reared  a  family  of  ten  children  as  follows:  George  W.,  Esther  E., 
Elizabeth  J.,  Sarah,  James  E.,  William  H.,  Joseph  C.  (who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war),  Francis  M.,  David  P.,  and  Mary  J.  Mr. 
Freeman  owns  a  farm  of  700  acres,  and  is  truly  a  re})resentative 
farmer.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar,  and  is  identified  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

GEORGE  K.  GOSNELL  was  born  in  1827,  in  Harrison  County, 
Ky.  When  a  small  boy  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood  upon  his  father's  farm.  He 
was  joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Campbell  in  1851;  a  native  of 
the  same  county,  and  born  in  1829.  A  year  after  nuirriage  they 
came  to  Jasper  Count}^  111.,  wdiere  he  entered  320  acres  of  land,  which 
he  improved  and  on  which  he  now  resides.  H(;  also  owns  240  acres 
of  land  in  another  tract.  The  result  of  his  marriage  was  nine  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Louisa  A.,  William  C,  Nancy  J.,  Larkin,  John, 
Zelda,  Mary,  Richard,  and  Susan.  The  Gosnells  are  of  German 
descent;  both  his  [)aternal  grandparents,  namely,  Benjamin  and 
Susan  (King)  Gosncll,  being  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr.  Gosnell  is 
the  eighth  child  of  his  father's  family.  Mrs.  Gosnell's  parents,  John 
and  Nancy  (Townsend)  Campbell,  were  early  settlers  of  Shelby 
County,  Ind.,  and  reared  a  family  of  eleveh  children,  Mrs.  Gosnell 
being  the  youngest.  Mr.  Gosnell  is  an  enterprising  farmer,  and  a 
Republican  in  politics. 

HON.  JOHN  II.  IIALLEY,  Ex-Judge  of  the  Second  Illinois 
Judicial  Circuit,  is  descended  from  an  old  Irish  family  which  traces 
its  ancestrial  line  back  to  the  early  history  of  the  United  Kingdom. 
His  grandparents,  on  l)otli  the  maternal  and  paternal  side,  were  early 
settlers  in  Virginia,  which  State  was  the  place  of  his  parents'  birth 
and  his  o-wn  nativity.  Judge  Ilalley  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
Jidy  9,  1828.  His  early  years  were  spent  upon  his  father's  planta- 
tion and  in  tlu^  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  where  he  gained  the 
rudiments  of  his  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  entered 
Emory  and  Henry  Colh^ge,  a  [jrominent  literary  institution  of  Vir- 
ginia, which  graduated  him  in  1854,  with  honors.  Having  adopted 
the  law  as  his  profession,  he  entered  the  office  of  John  Good.  Esq., 


496  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPEK    COUNTY: 

a  prominent  attorney  of  Liberty,  as  a  stutlent.    Here  the  young  man 
brouofht  such  aljility  and  industry  to  the  pursuit  of  his  studies  that 
he  accomplished  in   one  year  the  course  aUotted  to  three,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  practice  of  hiw  in  1855,  soon  after  which  he  removed 
to  Lewis  County,  Mo.,  where  he  opened  an  office  and  began  his  life 
work.    Dissatisfied  with  this  location  he  removed,  in  l(S5l5,  to  Putnam 
County  of  the  same  State,  where  he  rapidly  achieved  an  eminent 
success,  building  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.     In  1(S58  he  was 
chosen  to  represent  his  county  in  the  State  Legislature.     At  the  end 
of  his  first  term  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  summoned  him  to  a 
larger  and  more  active  sphere,  and  he  tendered  his  services  to  his 
State  as  a  soldier.  He  was  at  once  commissioned  as  Lieutenant-Colonel 
and  assigned  to  the  stati'  of  Gen.  John  li.   Clark,  where  he  served 
with  distinction  imtil  a  year  later,  when  he  was  detailed  by  the 
Confederate  sfovernment  as  a  recruitinir  officer,  with   the  rank  of 
Colonel.     He  was  sfcitioned  at  Minneapolis,  Ala.,  at  Grenada,  Miss., 
at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  in  southeast  Missouri.     In   this  capacity 
his  abilities  had  an  ample  scope,  and  he  rendered  efficient  aid  to  the 
cause  he  had  espoused.     He  was  subsequently  'called  to  fill   other 
positions  of  responsibility,  the  duties  of  Avhich  he  discharged  with 
fidelity  and  rare  ability.     After  serving  to  the  end  of  the  struggle 
he  came  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  i)ro- 
fession.     Here,  in  1874,  he  was  called  by  the  public  voice  to  repre- 
sent the  county  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  re-elected  in  1876. 
Resigning  this  position  in  1877,  he  accepted  an  election  to  the  Judi- 
cial bench,  a  position  more  congenial  to  his  tastes,  discharging  the 
duties  with  great  acceptance  and  distinguished  ability,  until  an  act  of 
the  legislature  of  that  year  caused  a  change  by  re-districting.    Judge 
Halley  was  first  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  Thompson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  J.  and  Elizabeth  Thompson,  of  Missouri,  by  whom  he 
had  six  children.     On  July  21,   LS,s8,   he  was  next  married  to  Miss 
Anni(!  Howard   Stuart,  of  Texas,  a  daughter  of  R"V.  C  B.  Stewart, 
D.   1).,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  (Mmrch  South.     Judge  Halley 
occupies  an  enviable  position  among  the  brethren  of  his  profession 
in  southern  Illinois;  is  a  leading  member  of  the  Jasper  County  bar. 
In  politics  he  is  devoted  to  the  i)rinciples  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  is  a  Knight  Templar. 

CAPT.  B.  W.  HARRIS  is  of  S-otch  ("lescent-     His  father,  Ben- 
jamin Harris,  was  a  native  of  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  and  there 
married  Miss  Elizalxth  Ware.     He  i-emoved  to  Ohio  about  1834,  and 
to  Jasper  County,  111.,  in  1.S86,  where  he  entered  some  500  acres  ot 


VILLAGE    OF    NEWTON    AND    WADE    TOWNSHIP.  497 

land,  on  a  part  of  which  the  town  of  Newton  is  now  situated.  He 
was  widely  and  favorably  known,  havinsf  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  several  years,  and  built  the  fii'st  court  house  in  Newton. 
He  made  a  trip  to  California,  and  on  his  return  home  died  in  Jasper 
County,  in  1851.  His  wife  died  in  18.'hS.  His  children  were  as  fol- 
lows: Henrietta,  Benjamin,  Mary,  P^lizabeth,  William,  Samuel,  B. 
W.,  Sarah  and  Joseph.  Capt.  B.  W.  Harris  was  born  in  Virginia, 
in  1833,  and  was  three  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  county, 
where  he  was  reared,  and  subsequently  married,  in  1853,  Miss  Julia 
E.  Jones,  a  native  of  Randolph  County,  111.,  and  born  in  1833.  The 
result  of  the  union  was  three  children,  namely:  AVinnie,  Fi'ank  and 
Charlie.  Her  father,  Robert  Jones,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where 
he  was  born  January  11,  1800;  he  also  was  an  early  settler  of  Jasper 
County,  111.  He  married  Elizabeth  Chastain,  who  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, October  4,  1797,  and  died  in  Jasper  County,  October  19,  1874. 
Mr.  Jones  died  in  1875.  Capt.  Harris  entered  the  service  in  18G1  as 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  K,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
commanded  by  Col.  Carlin,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
leaving  the  army  with  the  rank  of  Captain.  He  assisted  in  the 
organization  of  the  State  militia  in  1880,  and  is  now  Captain  of  the 
Newton  Guards. 

JAMES  M.  HICKS,  son  of  Ellis  and  Mary  E.  (Wilson)  Hicks, 
was  born  in  Jasper  County,  May  30,  1859.  He  attended  school  at 
the  log  schoolhouse  of  his  neighborhood  until  his  nineteenth  year, 
and  there  laid  the  foundation  upon  which"  he  has  since  erected  the 
superstructure  of  a  thorougli  education.  He  began  teaching  a  dis- 
trict school  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  in  the  meanwhile  attended  the 
Normal  School  at  Newton.  In  1880  he  entered  the  Circuit  Clerk's 
office  as  assistant  to  W.  G.  Williams.  His  father,  Elias  Hicks,  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  1835,  and  came  to  Jasper  County  in  1850,  and 
here  married  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Watson)  Wilson. 
James  M.  Hicks  is  an  honored  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

H.  S.  HINMAN,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  B:irtholomew  County,  Ind., 
in  1847,  and  is  the  youngest  of  eight  children  born  to  Hon.  T.  M. 
and  Emily  (Jetter)  Hinman,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Soutli  Carolina.  At  the  age  of  five  he  was  brought  by  his  par- 
ents to  Richland  County,  111.,  wdiere,  until  18G5,  he  spent  his  life  on 
a  farm  with  the  exception  of  six  months  passed  in  the  army  during 
the  summer  of  1864.  He  became  proficient  in  music  and  proved  one 
of  the  most  successful  teachers  in  southern  Illinois.  In  1867  he 
married  Miss  Rose  A.  McWilliams,  who  has  borne  him  the  following 


4«J8  BIOOUAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

children— Ulysses  G.,  RoUa  P.,  Hattie  B.,  Pearl  T.,  Ali  (deceased 
Lola  aud  Oris  B.  In  the  spring  of  18(37  he  began  preparing  him 
self  for  his  profession,  teaching  in  the  meanwhile  until  18l)i>.  In 
1870  he  removed  to  Olney,  took  charge  of  'a  school  in  the  vicinity 
and  read  medicine  under  Dr.  E.  Bowyer.  In  1873-74  he  taught  the 
Oak  Grove  school,  and  in  the  spring  of  1874  took  his  fii-st  course  of 
lectures  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
and  on  his  return  taught  the  graded  school  at  Clan^mont.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1875,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Battson.  He  graduated 
in  1878,  and  in  the  spring  of  1879  he  removed  to  Rose  Hill,  and  iu 
1880  to  Newton.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  an  active  worker  in  the  Sunday-school  and  a  successful  prac- 
titioner. 

THOMAS  HUNT,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Brooks)  Hunt, 
natives  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  December 
14,  1827.  When  a  boy  he  went  with  his  [parents  to  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  married,  in 
1849,  Miss  Louisa  Price,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  (Cotney)  Price,  natives  of  the  same  State.  Soon  after 
the  marriage  they  came  to  Jasper  County,  where  he  entered  ninety 
acres  of  land,  on  which  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Hunt  started  out  in 
life  without  a  cent,  but  now  owns  a  tarm  of  240  acres.  He  has  two 
children,  viz.:  John  M.,  and  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Frank  Andre,  a  prom- 
inent young  farmer.  John  Hunt,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born, 
reared  and  married  in  Ohio.  He  reared  the  following  children,  viz.: 
William,  James,  Thomas,  Jane,  Rachel,  Amaziah,  Milton  and  Eliza- 
beth. James  Himt,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Hunt,  was  an  old  Revolu- 
tiouary  soldier  under  Gen.  Washington.  H(^  was  an  Englishman, 
while  the  Brooks  family  are  of  Welsh  origin.  They  were  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Ohio.  Mrs.  Hunt's  parents  were  natives  ot 
Fleming  County,  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in  that  State,  and 
removed  early  to  Rusli  County,  Ind.,  when  the  county  was  yet  a 
wilderness.  They  reared  eleven  children,  viz.:  P^lizabeth,  William 
T.,  Benjamin,  Louisa,  Lydia,  Elihu,  Elisha,  Lucinda,  Sarah  A.,  Frank 
and  Eliza.     Her  mother  died  in  1848;  her  father  in  1875. 

HALE  JOHNSON,  attorney-at-law,  was  born  in  1847  in  Tippe- 
canoe County,  Ind.  He  was  rehired  a  farmer,  receiving  his  education  in 
the  common  district  school  and  the  academy  at  Ladoga  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  with  his  parents  to  ISIarion/l'ounty,  where 
he  taught  school  in  llu>-  winter  season  and  worked  upon  the  farm  in  the 
stunmer.     He  began  reading  law  in  1871  with  W.  Hubbard,  of  Kin- 


VILLAGE    OF    NEWTON    AND    WADE    TOWNSHIP-  499 

mundy,  Marion  County,  III.,  now  of  Chicago.  After  rGaclin,<j  for 
three  years  he  wius  udniittetl  to  practice  in  June,  l87o.  Soon  after 
his  permission  to  practice  he  located  at  Alt-iniont,  Effingham  County, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  H''  then  located  in  Newton,  where 
he  is  a  member  of  the  law  tirm  of  Gibson  &  Johnson,  and  Shup  & 
Johnson  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  entered  the  service  in  1864 
as  a  private,  but  was  discharged  after  bearing  arms  six  months.  He 
married,  in  1871,  Miss  Mary  E.  Loofbourow,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
1848,  and  daughter  of  Orhmdo  and  Frances  (Delaney)  Loofbourow, 
natives  of  the  same  State,  of  which  her  grandfather  was  one  of  ,th6 
first  settlers.  The  result  of  this  union  was  live  children,  viz.:  Jesse, 
Frank,  ]May  Bell,  Fannie  and  Ruby.  John  B.  Johnson,  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  1821.  He  studied  medicine  and  graduated 
at  two  colleges,  viz.:  the  Alepthu  and  F>dectic.  He  served  as  a  sur- 
geon in  the  Seventy-Second  Indiana  R\i,^iment,  and  has  been  in  con- 
stant practice  for  thirty-five  years.  He  now  resides  in  AVhite  County, 
Ark.  ]Mr.  Johnson  has  been  highly  successful  professionally,  and 
is  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  Jasper  County. 

SIMPSON  JOHNSON  was  born  in  Trimble  County,  Ky.,  in 
183"),  and  was  married  in  March,  1851),  to  Barbara  Campl)cll,  daughter 
of  William  and  Ellen  (Pegs)  Campb3ll,and  born  in  Carroll  County, 
Ky..  in  1835-  Two  children  were  the  result  of  this  union,  viz.: 
Georofe  W.  and  Martha.  Previous  to  his  marriage  he  had  been  a 
farmer,  and  for  six  months  a  school  teacher  during  the  winter;  he 
then  opened  a  furniture  and  hardware  store  in  Newton,  continuing 
in  the  business  for  eight  years;  he  next  engaged  in  the  banking  and 
book  business,  but  closed  out  the  banking  branch,  and  is  now  con- 
ducting a  book  and  instrument  trade.  He  built  the  opera  house  at 
Newton — 40  feet  front  and  100  feet  deep.  Thomas  Johnson,  father 
of  Simpson,  Avas  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  of  Sweilish  descent.  He 
married  Martlia  Wilson,  who  bore  him  the  following  children:  Simp- 
son, John  W.,  Eliza,  Susan,  ]\Iargaret  and  Enieline. 

WILLIAM  B.  JONES  was  born,  in  1837,  in  Randolph  County, 
111.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Jasper  County  in  1 849,  and  was  reared 
upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he  yet  resides.  He  married,  November 
22,1800,  Miss  Anne  Rogers,  daughter  of  Marcellus  and  Dicey  (Barret) 
Rogers,  natives  of  Virginia.  The  fruit  of  this  union  was  seven  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Adelaide  C,  John  G.,  Nellie  L.,  Anna  M.,  Charlie,  Harry 
R  and  Curtiss,  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  in  18()1,  Mr. 
Jones  entered  the  service  as  a  private  m  Company  D,  Eighth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Department  of  the  Mississippi   under 


500  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPER  COUNTY: 

McPherson.  During  his  service  he  lost  a  foot  by  a  circuhir  saw 
while  sawing  tinil)er  to  repair  a  road  leading  from  Vioksburg  to 
Jackson.  His  father,  Slaughter  Jones,  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
where  he  was  born  in  1802.  When  young,  he  left  his  native  State 
to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  West,  and  while  on  his  way  met  Lavina 
Kelley,  in  company  with  her  parents,  on  their  way  West  from  Ken- 
tucky. He  subsecpiently  married  her  in  Randolph  County,  III.  He 
served  as  a  private  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  under  his  brother  Gabriel, 
who  was  Colonel  of  a  regiment.  After  the  war  he  entered  land 
here,  from  a  warrant  issued  to  him  for  his  services.  He  continued 
to  reside  in  Jasper  County  until  his  death,  in  1882,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  in  1873.  They  reared  a  family  of  eleven  chiklren, 
seven  boys  and  four  girls.  ]\lrs.  Jones'  father,  Rev.  Samuel  Barret, 
preached  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  for  forty-five  Jyears.  He  married 
Clarissa  McConias,  daughter  of  Col.  William  McComas,  who  served 
in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Harrison.  j\Ir.  Jones  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor. 

C.  D.  KENDALL,  son  of  Cyrus  and  Lucy  (Aubrey)  Kendall, 
natives  of  Orange  County,  Vt.,  was  born   in   Erie,  Penn.,  where  he 
was  educated  until  seventeen,  when  he  came  first  to  Kane  and  then 
to  Fayette  County,  where  he  taught  school  during  the   years    1851, 
1859  and  18G0;  he  then  moved  to  Clay  County  and  read  law  under 
W.W.  Bishop,  who  afterwards  defended  John  D.  Lee,  in  the  Mount- 
ain   Meadow  massacre  case,  and  then  wrote  a  history  of  Lee's  life. 
Mr.  Kendall  was  admitted  to  practice,  but  before  his  diploma  reached 
him  he  had  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry,  and 
rapidly  rose  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Company  K,  same  regiment.     In  1864,  he  was  commissioned  Captain 
and  afterward  detached  as  Quartermaster  on  the  Staff*  of  General  L. 
F.  Hubbard,  now  Governor  of  Minnesota.     He    was    Avounded   at 
Corinth  the  night  of  October  3,  1802,  and  at  Nashville,  December  IG, 
1864.     January  22,  1862,  he  married  ]Miss  Rivilla  C  Miller,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Abby    (Si)arks)  Miller,  who 
died  in  1875,  the  mother  of  four  children— Harry  Frederick,  Cyrus 
Don  (deceased),  Bertie  Rivilla   (deceased),  and  Helva   Aubrey.     In 
1878,  the  Captain  married  Mrs.  Susie  Barnes,  daughterof  Henry  and 
Susan  (McCoy)  Books,  and  to  this  union  were  born  Mary  Estella  and 
Claudia   Vere.      Captain    Kendall,   on    his   return    from    the   war, 
ensfaa:ed  in  merchandisinc:  a  short  time  at  Flora,  III.     lu   1865,  he 
was  elected  County  Clerk  of  Clay  County,  and  sei-ved  four  years. 
He  then  engMgcd  in  the  mercantile  trade  in  Louisville;  sold  out  in 


VILLAOK    OF    NEWTON    AND    AVADE    TOWNSHIP.  501 

1881,  :uk1  came  toNowton.  His  grandfatlior,  Froclerick  Aubrey,  was 
a  suriToon  in  the  British  navy,  from  whioli  he  was  discharo'ecl  on 
aeoount  of  disability,  when  he  came  to  America  and  took  part  in  the 
Revohitionary  war.  His  discharge  from  the  English  navy  is  still  in 
the  hands  of  Captain  Kendall. 

T.  J.  MARTIN  is  a  native  of  Floyd  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born 
February  8,  1823.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  went  to  Missouri  and 
worked  in  a  tobacco  factory;  during  the  ^Mexican  war  he  served  as 
wagon-master  in  the  army;  after  the  w^ar  he  came  to  Paris,  Edgar 
Co.,  111.,  engaged  in  business,  and  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Blackburn, 
daughter  of  Colonel  Blackburn,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four 
children — Henry  W.,  James  B.,  John  W.,  and  William.  In  1850, 
Mr.  Martin  settled  in  Newton.  His  second  marriage  was  to  ISIiss 
Mary  Yj.  Chittenden,  a  descendant  from  one  of  the  oklest  families  in 
Vermont.  Her  great-grandfather,  Thomas  Chittenden,  Avasthe  first 
Governor  of  that  State,  and  her  grandfather,  Martin  Chittenden,  was 
elected  Governor  in  1813,  and  served  several  terms.  Ireman  Chit- 
tenden, father  of  Mrs.  Martin,  was  the  eldest  son  of  Governor  Mar- 
tin Chittenden. 

J.  H.  MAXWELL,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction,  and  w^as  born  in  this  country  December  26,  1835.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Seminary  at  Paris,  111., 
until  sixteen  years  old,  after  which  he  worked  on  a  farm  in  summer 
and  attended  school  in  winter.  He  read  medicine  for  three  years 
with  Dr.  S.  York,  Avho  was  a  distinguished  surgeon  of  the  Fifty- 
Fourth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was  assassinated  at  Charleston  in 
1804.  In  18(j5,  Mr.  MaxAvell  entered  the  Ohio  Medical  College, 
finally  graduating  in  1871.  He  entered  the  army  in  1801,  as  Hos- 
pital Steward  in  the  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  position  of  Assistant  Surgeon.  In  1804,  he  was 
appointed,  for  meritorious  service,  surgeon  to  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, under  General  Thomas,  but  declined  the  office.  In  1800, 
he  married  jNIiss  Mary  Hayes,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Martin)  Hayes,  natives  of  Kentucky. 

BENJAMIN  MILLER  was  born  in  IN  14,  in  the  State  of  New 
Jersc}'.  When  a  small  boy  he  went  Avith  his  jiarents  to  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  soon  after  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  and  from  there  to 
Hancock  County,  Ind.,  Avhere  he  married,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
Elizabeth  Lomay,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Nancy  (Hugnfard)  Lemay.  The  result  of  this  union  Avas  fifteen  chil- 
dren, born  in  the  folloAving  order:  Nancy  C.,  born  January  20,  1833; 


502  niOGRAPIJICAL    SKETCHES — JASPEK    COUNTY: 

James  A.,  December  14,  1834;  Abniham,  January  30,  1837;  PoUie 
J.,  January  20,  1839;  William  T.,  May  24,  1840;  Susan  C,  June  3, 
1842;  Hannah  A.,  February  '),  1844;  Georire  P.,  February  15,  184(); 
Henry  F.,  September  17,  1848;  John  Wesley,  September  is.  1850; 
Sarilda  E.  and  Matilda  F.  (twins),  Februar}'  13,  1852;  Benjamin  J., 
April  27,  1854;  Theodore,  November  i),  1856,  and  Henry  F.,  January 
5,1861.  Mr.  Miller  has  been  twice  married;  his  second  marriage 
being  to  Mary  J.  Eagleton,  of  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  daughter  of  John 
Farr,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Indiana; 
where  both  parents  died  soon  after  their  removal  from  Pennsylva- 
nia. The  result  of  Mr.  Miller's  last  marriage  Avas  two  children,  Lucy 
and  one  that  died  unnamed.  ]\Ir.  Miller  is  widely  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  county.  He  owns  a  fine,  well  improved  farm, 
the  result  of  his  own  labor,  he  having  begun  life  poor.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  sent  two  of  his  sons  to  the  arm}^  namely,  William 
and  George. 

OGDEN  MONELL,  son  of  Robert  B.  and  Parmelia  (Squires) 
Monell,  was  born  September  15,  1833,  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. 
When  quite  young  his  parents  removed  to  Hudson,  Columl)ia  County, 
where  he  spent  his  youth.  He  was  carefully  educated  at  Hartford, 
N.  Y.,  and  at  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  with  a  view  to  his  entering  the 
legal  profession.  In  1850,  Mr.  Monell,  being  of  a  somewhat  roving 
disposition,  shipped  as  a  sailor  on  board  the  ship  "  Great  Britain," 
bound  from  New  York  to  China,  via  San  Francisco.  After  a  long 
and  tedious  voyage  around  Cape  Horn,  the  vessel  arrived  in  San 
Francisco  Bay,  and  the  gold  excitement  being  at  its  full  height,  the 
whole  ship's  company  deserted,  and  engaged  in  the  search  for  the 
hidden  treasure.  After  an  absence  of  over  four  years,  in  which  he 
made  several  voyages  on  the  Pacific'  Ocean,  he  again  doubled  Cape 
Horn  in  the  whale  ship  ''  Boston,"  and  landed  at  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
After  remaining  at  home  a  short  time  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  from 
there  went  to  Minnesota,  which  was  then  a  territory,  where  he 
acted  as  Sub-Indian  Agent,  at  the  Crow  Wing  Agency,  and  was  after- 
ward the  first  Sheriff  of  Crow  Wino:  Countv,  that  State.  In  1858, 
he  returned  to  Boone  County,  111.,  where,  December  25,  1.S58,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  M  iry  E-  Pearsall,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Clarinda  Pearsall.  Two  chihlrcn,  Ge(n-ge  R.  and  Alber 
p.,  were  the  result  of  the  union.  In  the  spring  of  ISOO,  he  came  to 
Jasper  C'ounty,  III.,  where,  in  18()1,  he  was  chosen  Su[)ervisor  ot 
North  Muddy  Township,  which  office  he  resigned  and  entered  the 
army  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  F,  Eleventh  Illinois  Volun- 


II 


VILLAGE   OF   NEWTON    AND   W.U>E   TOWNSHU\  503 

teers,  and  served  until  the  promulgation  of  President  Lincoln's 
Emancipation  Proclamation,  when,  on  his  return  home,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Deputy  Sheritt'  under  Haney  N.  Love,  after  whose  death  he 
became  actinir  ShcriH".  In  18(i8,  he  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk  and 
Recorder  of  the  county;  was  re-elected  in  1862. 

DANIEL  O'DOXXELL,  Deputy  Shcriil',  son  of  Cornelius  and 
Elizabeth  (Riley)  O'Donnell,  natives  of  Ireland,  was  born,  October, 
IHU),  in  Jasper  County.  He  was  rejired  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  at  Saint  Mary's  CoUeoe,  at  Teutopolis, 
Etfingham  County,  111.  After  his  college  course  he  resumed  farming 
until  18()5,  wdien  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
Fifth  Illinois  Infantry.  In  1871,  he  married  Miss  Pauline  Ponset, 
daughter  of  Frank  Ponset,  natives  of  Ohio.  She  died  about  a  year 
after  the  anniversary  of  their  wedding,  and  in  1881,  he  married  Amelia 
Shoenlal),  daughter  of  Emil  Shoenlab,  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  have 
one  child,  Alice  May.  Mr.  O'Donnell  has  served  as  Deputy  Sheritf  since 
1879.  His  tather  was  a  stone  mason,  and  on  coming  to  this  country, 
first  found  employment  on  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  D.C.  He  came 
to  Jasper  County  in  1842,  and  entered  120  acres  of  wild  land  near  Saint 
Marie,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in  January,  1875. 
Amelia  Shoenlab's  father,  Emil  Shoenlab,  was  a  native  of  Alsace, 
France.  AVlien  a  young  man  he  came  to  Newton,  and  for  a  while 
clerked  in  a  store.  He  now  resides  at  Saint  jSIarie,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  the  commission  business. 

il,  K.  POWELL,  son  of  John  and  Frances  A.  (McComas)  Pow- 
ell, natives  of  Ohio  and  Virginia,  was  born  in  Jasper  County,  111., 
November  12,  1848,  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  was  educated  in  the 
schools  at  Newton.  In  1 864,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-Third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
I  July  11,1 870,  he  married  Miss  Dollie  A.  Thompson,  daughter  of  John 
'  and  Elizabeth  (Sherman)  Thompson,  natives  of  Virginia.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1878,  Mr.  Powell  was  elected  to  the  office  of  County  Clerk;  Avas 
re-elected  in  1877,  and  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  beheld 
the  office  until  1882,  when  he  was  again  elected.  He  is  the  father 
of  four  children — Harric,  Julia,  Ilattie  and  Robert  L. 

GILBERT  REISNER  was  born  in  Jasper  County,  May  31, 1853. 
He,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  district  school  and  the 
high  school  at  Newton.  He  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
and  made  it  his  occupation  until  the  death  of  his  father,  since  which 
he  has  been  superintending  the  home  farm.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage in  1882,  to  Miss  Mary  liarrah,  daughter  of  D.  B.  Harrah.     John 


504  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

C.  Reisiier,  father  of  Gilbert  Reisner,  was  born  in  Yirofinia,  Decem- 
ber 19,  1828,  and  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Reisner,  who  fonght  in  the 
wars  of  Napoleon  the  Great,  crossed  the  Alps,  and  was  with  him  at 
Moscow.  He  was  wounded  fourteen  times,  through  the  etiects  of 
which  he  was  discharged  from  the  service,  and  afterwards  came  to 
America,  first  settling,  it  is  presumed,  in  Pennsylvania,  from  which 
State  he  removed  to  Virginia,  where  he  married  Catharine  Burtran, 
a  native  of  Worms,  Germany.  John  C.  Reisner  was  oneof  the  very 
early  settlers  of  Jasper  County,  a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  and 
to  whom  many  went  for  advice  and  assistance.  He  took  a  deep  inter- 
est in  the  church  and  Sunday-school,  and  educational  affairs  of  the 
community  in  Avhich  he  lived.  He  was  superintendent  oftheSal)- 
bath-school  for  many  years,  and  although  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  he  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  his  neighborhood.  He  joined  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church  in  1849,  and  remained  a  member  of  the  same  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  February  25,  1883.  He  married  in  Jasper 
Coimty,  March  29,  1849,  Miss  Mariana  Stevens,  a  daughter  of  Uriah 
and  Mary  (Gilbert)  Stevens,  natives  of  Vermont,  early  settlers  of 
Jasper  County,  and  the  first  to  start  a  farm  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  noAV  resides.  She  clied  October  29,  1857,  leaving  two  children, 
Gilbert,  the[subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Mary  Ann.  January  21, 1871, 
Mr.  R.  married  Miss  Eunice  Stevens,  sister  of  his  first  wife.  Mr. 
Reisner  is  a  member  of  the  State  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows. 

FRANK  RICHARDSON,  farmer  and  fine  stock  raiser,  of  Wade 
Township,  son  of  Nathan  and  Rebecca  (Ruthby)  Richardson,  wjia 
born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  in  1840.  He  was  reared  to  farming, 
and  attended  the  National  Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  where  he 
graduated  in  1858.  He  was  educated  with  a  view  to  the  medical  pro- 
fession, but  declining  health  forbade  his  entering  that  profession. 
He  was  joined  in  marriage,  in  1860,  with  Miss  Esther  Weer,  daugh- 
ter of  Philip  and  Sarah  (Roberts)^ Weer,  soon  after  which  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Company  M,  Thirteenth  Ohio  Cavalry.  After  serving 
six  months,  he  was  chosen  First  Lieutenant  of  his  Company,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  with  distinction  under  General  Sheridan  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Having  a  desire  to  raise  fine  stock,  he  came  to  Jjis- 
per  County  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  where  he  engaged  in  that 
business.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  300  acres  in  Wade  Township.  Ho 
has  had  born  to  him  two  children — Annie  and  Jesse. 

B.  F.  ROGERS  was  born  in  1857,  in  Jasper  County,  Til,  where 
he  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  educated  in  the  district 


VILLAGE    OF   NEWTON   AND    WADE    TOWNSHIP.  505 

school,  and  the  Normal,  at  Newton,  after  which  he  began  teaching. 
His  father,  Marcellus  Rogers,  a  native  of  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  in  1S17,  was  earl}'  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  at  the  age 
of  eighteen,  he  went  to  Logansport,  Ind.,  where  he  found  employment 
in  a  store  for  three  yeai*s,  after  which  he  worked  as  an  apprentice  for 
one  year  at  the  tailors'  trade.  He  then  went  to  Lafayette,  Iiid.,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  after  which  he  made  a  visit  to  his  native  State, 
and  later,  located  at  Knightstown,  Ind.,  where,  in  1831),  he  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Dicey  Barret,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  in  1822. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  and  Clarissa  (McComas)  Bar- 
ret. After  a  residence  of  nearly  twenty  years,  in  Indiana,  they  came 
to  Jasper  County,  where  he  bought  100  acres  of  land,  which  he 
improved,  and  upon  which  he  now  resides.  In  1861,  he  entered  the 
army  as  Sergeant  in  the  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  three  years. 
His  father,  Henry  Rogers,  was  an  early  settler  of  Clarke  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  published  the  Westeim  Pioneer,  the  first  newspaper 
in  that  county.  He  reared  eight  children,  of  whom  Marcellus 
Rogers  is  the  only  survivor.  Mrs.  Rogers'  father,  Rev.  Samuel 
Barret,  was  one  of  the  settlers  of  Rush  County,  as  early  as  1824.  He 
was  the  pioneer  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  that  locality, 
where  he  preiiched  for  forty-five  years.  He  died  October  2,  1863, 
lamented  b}^  all  who  knew  him  in  life.  The  fruit  of  Mr.  Rogers' 
marriage  with  Dicey  Barret,  was  eleven  children,  viz.:  Conmiodore, 
born  in  1840;  Mary,  in  1843;  Ann  E.,  in  1844;  Charles  H.,  in  1847; 
John  E.,  in  1849;  Valeria  L.,  in  1851;  Clara,  in  1853;  Marcellus,  iu 
1855;  Benjamin  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  1857;  Eliza  E.,  iu 
1859,  and  Amelia,  in  1861.  Both  Mr.  B.  F.  Rogers,  and  father,  are 
active  Republicans  in  politics. 
^hUi^  CASPER  RUSH  was  born  near  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  1837. 
r\  While  young,  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Cincinnati,  where  he 
1^  was  reared  and  educated  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a  confectioner.  In  1862,  he  married  Miss  Antoinette 
Fluchr,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  born  in  1839.  The  following 
.  children  have  succeeded  this  union:  Rosa,  Harry,  Ida,  Walter  ajid 
(;Leonore.  ]Mr.  Rush's  father,  also  named  Casper,  came  from  Ger- 
v^  many  about  1830  and  bought  a  farm  in  New  Jersey,  but  removed  to 
Cincinnati  on  account  of  the  German  society  there,  and  there  died 
when  our  suliject  was  nine  years  old.  Mr.  Rush  is  one  of  the  fore- 
most business  men  in  Newton.  His  stock  of  goods  is  very  large  and 
varied,  and  his  trade  is  proportionately  large,  and  by  hia  social, 
pleasing  way  of  dealing,  he  has  won  universal  esteem.    He  is  a  kiud 


5l)G  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

husband,  an  intluls^ent  father,  a  gentleman  and  a  much  valued  citizen. 

FRANK  L.  SHUP,  editor  of  the  Newton  Press,  was  born  July 
4,  1^54,  in  Jasper  County.  He  was  reared  a  fanner,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  school  until  twenty  years  of  age.  At  twenty- 
two  he  began  to  read  law  with  Brown  &  Gibson,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  June,  1880,  at  Springfield,  soon  after  which  he  went  to 
Kansas,  located  at  Kingman,  and  entered  into  practice  with  George 
E.  Filley.  He  severed  this  connection  May  31,  1882,  returned  to 
Newton  and  took  charge  of  the  Press,  which  he  is  successfully  con- 
ducting. 

JOHN  H.  SHUP,  son  of  William  and  Emily  (Coffin)  Shup, 
was  born  in  Hancock  Coimty,  Ind-,  in  1852,  but  when  a  child,  was  j 
brought  by  his  parents  to  Jasper  County,  where  he  attended  school 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  worked  upon  his  fath- 
er's farm  until  twenty-one,  when  he  took  a  course  of  study  at  the 
Normal  School  of  Newton.  In  1876,  he  was  appointed  deputy 
County  Clerk,  and  served  three  years.  From  1879  to  1881,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  business,  and  then  entered  upon  his  present 
vocation  of  insurance  agent  for  the  following  first-class  companies: 
Burlington,  of  Iowa,  and  the  Fireman's  Fund  and  the  Union,  of 
California,  in  the  counties  of  Richland,  Effingham,  Jasper,  Crawford, 
Shelby,  Cumberland,  Clark,  Coles,  Edgar,  Douglas,  Champaign  and 
Vermillion.  In  1877,  he  married  Miss  Belle  Snyder,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
and  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Goodman)  Snyder,  and  to  their 
union  have  been  born  two  children — Clella  and  Ethel. 

FRANCIS  A.  STEVENS,  druggist,  is  of  Dutch-English  ex- 
traction, was  born  October  8,  1852,  in  Newton,  Jasper  County, 
received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and  finished  at 
Champaign,  111.,  after  which  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  drug  business  at 
Robinson,  Crawford  County,  111.,  in  company  with  E.  B.  Barlow. 
He  was  joined  in  marriage  in  1878  with  Miss  Anna  AVallace,  who 
was  born  in  this  county,  and  is  a  daughter  of  W.  II.  and  Hannah 
(Moor)  Wallace,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  To  this  union  has  been 
born  one  son — William.  Dr.  U.  G.  Stevens,  father  of  our  subject,  j 
was  born  August  23,  1812,  in  Canada.  While  young,  he  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Vermont  and  afterward  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  reared  and  educated.  He  had  three  sisters  and  two  brothers; 
the  latter  grew  to  manhood  and  became  physicians.  In  an  early  day 
he  came  to  Champaign  County,  111.,  where,  in  1836,  he  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Marilla  Stanfield,  who  was  born  April  8,  1820,  in 


VILI.ACK    or    NKWTON    AM)    WADK    TOWNSIIir.  aOT 

Ponnsylvaiiiii.  The  result  of  tlio  union  was  as  follows:  ^\'illiam, 
James  B.,  Uriah  L.,  Serena  A.,  Harmon,  Alpheus,  Gilbert  S-r 
Stephen,  Fnim-is  A.,  ^Marilla  E.,  Amelia  A.  and  Charles,  all  of  whom 
are  deceased,  except  Francis  A.  (the  subject  of  this  sketch),  and 
Amelia  and  Miirilla  E.  Dr.  Stevens  died  in  November,  18SI,  and  his 
wife  in  1S77.  Mr.  Stevens  is  a  Knijjht  Templar,  an  Odd  Fellow,  a 
memb(>r  of  the  Knights  of  Honor  and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
United  Workmen. 

A.  J.  STKOLE  was  born  in  \&21   near  the  Shenandoah  River, 
Paire  County,  Va.,  where  he  was  reared  to  farming  until  twenty-six 
years  of  age,  when  he  moved  to  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  and  later  to  Jas- 
per County  and  next  to  Edgar  County,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm 
for  three  years.     He  married  Miss  Nancy  Ste^)  in  1858,  daughter  of 
Michael  and  ^latilda   (Yager)   Step,  natives  of  Virginia.     She  died 
in  18()0,  leaving  one  child — ^Michael.     Mr.  Strole's  second  marriage 
was  with  Miss  AVealthy  Lane,  who  was  born  in  Jefferson  County, 
Tenn.,  in  18^2 — daughter  of  William  D.  and  Lucinda   (Cox)  Lane, 
natives  of  the  same  State.     To  them  wer(>  1)orn  seven  children,  viz.: 
Lucinda  V.,  Charles  P.,  William  D.,  Hiram  P.,  Thomas  J.,  Isaac  R. 
and  ]\Iartha.     Their  family  circle  is  comjiosed  of  two  other  children, 
viz.:Clara andWealthy  J.Dillmore,  her  orphaned  nieces.   Jacob  Strole, 
father  of  our  subject,  was  of  German  descent.     He  married,  in  Vir- 
ginia, Eva  Kibler,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Catharine  (Snyder)  Kiblcr. 
They  reared  to  maturity  fourteen  children.     AViiliam  D.  Lane,  fatlier 
of  Mrs.  Strole,  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1812,  and  was  the  son  of 
Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Scruggs)  Lane.     They  settled  in  Indiana  about 
1835,  locating  in  Union  County,  near  Liberty;  he  removed  to  Clark 
County,  111.,  in   1865,  and  to  Jasper  County  in  1879,  making  his 
home  with  Mr.  Strole,  where  he  died  ;in  1880.     Mrs.  Strole  was 
among  the  first  school-teachers  in  Jasper  County,  having  first  taught 
here  at  Island  Grove,  before  which  she  taught  in  Indiana.    Mr.  Strole 
is  a  successful  farmer  and  business  man.     On   his  arrival  here  his 
whole  stock  in  trade  consisted  of  an  old  horse,  saddle  and  bridle,  and 
$25  in  money.     He  now  owns  a  tarm  of  280  acres,  well  improved. 
He  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

WILLIAM  TRAIXOR,  Sheriff  of  Jasper  County,  was  born  in 
Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  in  lcS;5!l,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  was  l)rouglit 
to  this  county  by  his  father,  who  died  a  year  after  his  arrival,  leav- 
ing a  widow  and  eio-ht  children.  On  the  home  farm  of  200  acres 
William  Trainor  was  reared,  alternating  the  hardships  of  a  frontier 
farm  life  with  brief  terms  at  the  neighboring  schools.     In  l-'^fU  he 

31 


508  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Fift3'-Fifth  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  served  as  private  one  month  and  was  then  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Fii-st  Lieutenant  and  as  such  served  until  the  close  ot 
the  war.  In  1880  he  w^as  elected  Sheriff,  and  re-elected  in  1882.  He 
■was  united  in  marriaire  to  Miss  Rebecca  Bowen,  who  has  borne  him 
five  children,  of  whom  two  only  are  living — Emma  and  William. 
John  Trainor,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  came  to  America  w^hen  a  young  man.  He  married  Jane 
McComas,  a  daughter  of  William  ]McComas,  and  to  his  marriage 
were  born  the  following  children:  Thomas,  Philip,  Peter,  Mary, 
Amelia,  William,  George  and  James,  all  of  whom  are  deceased 
excepting-  Philip  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  George  and  James 
died  from  the  effects  of  exposure  while  in  the  army. 

G.  V.  VAXDERHOOF  was  born  February  14,  1840,  and  is  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Rhodes)  Vanderhoof.  Henry  Vanderhoof 
was  born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  in  1812,  and  there  married  the 
dauijhter  of  George  Rhodes.  Mr.  V.  came  to  this  county  as  early 
as  18;39,  and  here  his  wafe  died  in  18(53.  In  18()1  G.  V.  Vanderhoof 
entered  the  army  as  First  Sergeant  of  Company  K,  Thirty-Eighth 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  nearly  five  years.  He  afterward  leiirned 
blacksmithing,  which  trade  he  followed  until  1879.  In  18G8  he 
married  Miss  Mamie  Thomas,  daughter  of  Elihu  Thomas,  a  native  of 
Indiana.  Mr.  Vanderhoof  is  one  of  the  heaviest  implement  dealers 
in  Newton,  and  has  the  agency  for  the  celebrated  Minneapolis  Twine 
Binder,  of  which  he  sells  large  numbers,  as  it  gives  the  most  general 
satisfaction. 

W.  G.  WILLIAMS,  son  of  W.  G.  and  Margaret  (Knoff)  Will- 
iams, was  born  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  in  1840,  and  th?re  received 
his  early  education,  and  afterward,  for  three  years  attended  the  Wes- 
leyau  University  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  Dr.  Thompson  biMug  president 
of  the  institution  and  W.  G.  Williams  Professor  of  Languages.  In 
18-VJ  he  came  to  Jasper  County,  taught  school  during  the  winter  of 
18(50,  and  then  for  eight  years  practiced  dentistry  at  Vandalia,  III. 
In  1870  he  bought  and  shipped  grain  at  Saint  Ehno.  and  tlicn  came 
to  Newton  and  clerked  for  Fuller  Nigh.  In  1871  he  was  appointed 
deputy,  under  Sheriff  Ogden  Monell,  and  served  until  l.s7;5,  when 
Tliomas  Cooper  was  appointed  to  office  and  under  him  he  served  three 
months.  Tu  1^71  he  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk,  was  re-ek'cted  in 
187(5,  and  has  served  ever  since.  In  186.')  lie  married  Miss  Mary, 
dauiihter  of  Ebenezer  Copps,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Illinois,  and 
to  his  union  have  been  born  two  children — Claudia  M.  and  Paul.  Mr. 


VILLAGE    OF    NEWTON    AND    WADE    TOWNSHIP. 


509 


Williams  is  of  Scotch  and  Welsh  orig-iii.  His  father  was  a  nephew 
of  Col.  Williams,  and  was  born  January  1, 1801,  near  Wheeling,  Va. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  and  there 
married  ]\Iiss  Mariiaret,  dauohter  of  John  Knoff,  and  born  in  Sussex 
County,  N.  J.,  in  1800. 

A.  J.  AVOODS  was  born  in  1839,  in  Gibson  County,  Ind.  At 
the  ivjv  of  live  years  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Jasper  County, 
where  he  was  reared  ou  his  father's  farm  until  the  age  of  twenty, 
when  he  returned  to  his  native  State,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  in  18(31,  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-Fourth  Indiana  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  Col.  Harvey.  He  served  until  1862,  Avhen  he  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  disability.  On  his  return  he  stopped  for  a 
while  at  his  old  home  in  Indiana,  for  medical  treatment.  He  mar- 
ried, in  1862,  Miss  Adelia  Garner,  a  native  of  France.  The  union 
was  blessed  with  the  following  children:  Andrew  F.  (deceased), 
Neoma,  Lizzie,  Willie  (deceased)  and  Oetavia.  Mr.  Woods'  father, 
Dixon  Woods,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  lo08,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Jasper  County.  He  first  came  with  his  parents  to 
Indiana,  Avhere  he  was  reared,  and  married  Miss  Margaret  Woods, 
the  result  of  the  imion  being  as  follows:  Jane,  James,  Maria,  Eliza- 
beth, John,  Patrick,  A.  J.,  Joseph,  ^Villiam  and  Susan.  Dixon 
Woods  was  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  county  and 
was  familiarly  called  "Uncle  Dickey,"  by  which  distinctive  name  every- 
body in  the  county  knew  him.  He  was  of  Irish  descent.  The  Gar- 
ners came  to  Ohio  about  1837,  and  to  Jasper  County  about  1839, 
where  they  reared  a  family  of  five  children. 


510  BlOGRAPIIirvL    SKETCHE-S — JASPER    COUNTY: 


WILLOW    HILL   TOWNSHIP. 

M.  ALLISOX,  farmer,  wtis  born  in  Edwards  County,  III., 
in  1839,  and  is  the  second  son  of  John  and  Sarah  J.  Allison;  the  fii-st 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  second  of  Yirginiti.  Onr  subject 
remained  in  the  county  of  Edwards  until  he  was  ten  years  oUl,  at 
which  time  he  was  removed  to  Willow  Hill  Township,  which  was 
his  home  until  he  Avas  nineteen  years  of  age.  In  August,  l<S(;i,he 
enlisted  in  the  Forty-Third  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  enijaged  in 
battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  Island  No.  10,  Fort  Pillow,  Memphis,  Plel- 
ena,  DnvaU's  Bluff,  Little  Kock,  and  others.  After  returninof  to  this 
township,  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  240  acres,  now  in  good 
cultivation.  In  1857  he  was  wedded  to  Marv  ^Nlessentrer,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  which  marriage  was  productive  of  five  children, — John  C., 
Sarah  J.,  Mary  E.,  Francis  ]M.,  and  Milton.  Mr.  Allison  is  an  intel- 
ligent and  grounded  Republican,  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  an  enterprising  and  worthy  citizen. 

JOHN  AUSPACH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Decatur  County.  Ind., 
and  is  the  third  son  of  John  and  Lydia  (Bailey)  Auspach,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Ohio-  Our  subject  was  born  in  the  year  1884, 
and  when  ten  yeai"s  of  age  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  obtained  some 
educational  training  and  remained  until  he  was  twenty  years  old;  he 
then  returned  to  Decatur  County;  renniincd  about  seven  years,  and 
purchased  his  present  farm  of  220  acres,  which  is  largely  improved 
and  well  cultivated.  The  consort  of  John  Auspach  was  Mary  J.  Park- 
ison,  a  native  of  Indiana,  b}^  whom  he  is  the  father  of  two  children — 
George  H.  and  Marion  S.  In  politics  he  is  allied  with  the  Demo- 
cratic element,  and  is  an  enlightened  gentleman  and  a  i)rogressive 
citizen. 

11.  C.  BOLLINGER,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
was  born  in  1^!2.S,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Iliser) 
Bollinger;  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Dr. 
Bollinger  was  brought  up  and  educated  in  Licking  County,  attended 
Granville  College,  and  studied  medicine,  chiefly  at  Hartford,  Ind. 
When  a  young  man  he  served  in  the  Mexican  war.  and  was  stationed 
on  the  Rio  Grande.  His  first  efforts  in  medical  practice  were  at  Bell 
Air,  III.,  Av hence,  after  three  years'  experience,  he  removed  to  Brock- 


WILLOW    HILL   TOWN.SHIP. 


.11 


villo,  in  this  township.  In  185!),  he  bonirlit  the  Evermond  Mound 
farm,  and  in  18154,  vetnrned  to  Willow  Hill,  where,  except  for  seven 
years  in  llnnt  City,  he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  snccessfnlly. 
In  18.')  1,  he  marriinl  Mary  J.  PiigC'  ^^'^lo  ^^'^'^  ^"  185().  In  1857,  he 
married  Maria  Rodgers,  a  native  of  Jasper  Connty,  who  also  died  in 
187(1.  His  third  marriage  was  with  Lonise  A.  Jones,  a  native  of  this 
township,  the  frnition  of  which  nnion  was  the  following  children — 
Homer,  Frank,  Annetta,  Martha  E.,  Jeff,  Dora,  Clinton  and  Clyde. 
Dr.  Bollinger  is  a  respected  citizen  and  a  gronnded  Democrat. 

S.  B.  HO W:M AX,  farmer,  was  born  in  Montgomery  Conntjs 
Iiid.,  in  1  <s  1 4,  and  is  the  yonngest  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Loop)  Bow- 
man, both  natives  of  Virginia.  Onr  snbject  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Montgomery  County.  On  his  twenty-first  birthday  his  father 
died,  and  he  assumed  care  of  the  family.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Forty-Second  Indiana  Infantry,  was  sent  to  Sherman's  command, 
and  was  through  many  skirmishes  and  battles,  including  Savannah, 
Goldsl)()ro  and  Fort  Fisher;  he  w^as  twice  wounded,  and  promoted 
to  be  Mijor.  In  1875,  he  came  to  this  township  and  purchased  a  half 
interest  in  the  Hunt  City  farm,  of  which  he  took  charge  for  three 
years;  afterward,  he  purchased  200  acres  near  Hunt  City,  with  tim- 
ber and  improvements.  Ho  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  G.  A.  R.  He  was  vice-President  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  Montgomery  County  for  two  years,  and  President  of  the  Jas- 
per County  Agricultural  Association;  he  has  also  been  representa- 
tive of  many  loJges;  is  a  liberal  Democrat  and  a  leading  citi/en.  In 
18()(3,  he  married  Robecca  A.  Mills,  a  native  of  Indiana;  this  union 
was  productive  of  five  children — Minnie  B.,  Charles  M.,  Cora  M., 
Nellie  and  Washington  L. 

AVILLIAM  J.  CHITTEXDEX,  physician  and  druggist,  was 
born  in  Slielbyville,  Ind.,  February  18,  1841,  and  is  the  eldest  living 
son  of  Lyman  and  Nancy  A.  (Castator)  Chittenden;  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  When  Dr.  Chittenden 
was  five  years  old  his  father  a1)andoned  his  trade  of  millwright,  com- 
menced farming,  and  later  moved  to  Hazel  Dell,  III.,  where  our  sub- 
ject was  educated,  and  whence  he  enlisted  in  18(jl,  in  the  Thirty- 
Eighth  Illinois  Volunteers.  From  Cami)  Butler  they  went  to  Pilot 
Knob,  Mo.,  and  in  1802,  to  Pittsburg  Landing— a  march  of  212  miles 
in  nine  days;  then  followed  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  the  battles  of 
Perryville,  and  Stone  River.  In  1808,  he  was  discharged,  owing  to 
an  injury  to  his  eyes.  In  1864,  he  recruited  a  company  for  guard 
duty  at  Memphis  and  Helena,  with  which  he  served  as   Lieutenant. 


512  BIOGUArillCAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

After  the  war  he  taii2"ht  some  time;  read  medicine,  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Dr.  West,  and  hegan  practicin2".  After  two  years  he 
camo  to  Willow  Hill,  which  he  has  since  made  his  home  and  where 
he  built  up  a  ijood  practice;  this,  however,  owing  to  his  ailing  vis- 
ion, he  was  obliged  to  relinquish,  and  now  devotes  his  time  to  his 
drug  trade,  having  a  fine  store  and  a  full  stock.  In  1870,  he  married 
Sarah  J.  McCray,  of  Henry  County,  Ind.,  which  union  was  favored 
with  four  children — Ora,  May,  Estelle  and  Bertram.  Dr.  Chitten- 
den is  a  Freemason,  and  -hniior  AV^arden  of  his  Lodge;  he  is  also 
post-commander  in  the  G-.  A.  11.;  a  Republican,  and  was  chairman  of 
the  Township  Republican  Convention  and  of  the  Senatorial  Con- 
vention in  18'S2.  The  Doctor  once  obtained  a  prize  in  a  county  pen- 
manship contest. 

EPHRAIM  COTTRELL,  restaurateur  and  boarding-house 
keeper,  was  born  in  Wills  County,  111.,  in  1840,  and  is  the  tifth  son 
of  John  and  Catherine  (Arnold)  Cottrell,  natives  respectively  of 
Kentucky  and  Ohio.  When  Ephraim  was  ten  years  old  the  family 
removed  to  Livingston  County,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated. 
After  his  father's  death  he  remained  with  his  mother  until  1873, 
when  he  came  to  this  township,  and  purchased  ninety-seven  acres, 
which  tract  is  now  largely  cultivated.  Three  years  later  he  exchanged 
his  land  for  an  interest  in  the  store  of  Curtis  &  ]Mason,  but  soon 
after  he  resumed  farming.  In  1881,  he  commenced  his  present  bus- 
iness; he  is  adjacent  to  the  depot,  and  is  a  successful  caterer.  Mr. 
Cottrell  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  the  I.  O-  O.  F., 
also  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  the  Democratic  party.  In 
1870,  he  married  Matilda  Lord,  a  native?  of  England.  They  are  the 
parents,  by  ado[)tion,  of  one  child — Letha.  Mr.  Cottrell  is  a  worthy 
man  and  an  esteemed  citizen. 

ISAAC  DEBOW,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Jones  &  De- 
bow,  owners  of  the  Hunt  City  Mills,  was  born  in  Jasi)er  County, 
111.,  in  1847,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Robert  and  Naomi  (Gosnold) 
Debow,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively. 
Grandville  Township  was  the  location  of  our  subject's  rearing  and 
education,  where  he  remained  until  18()(),  when  the  family  purchased 
117  acres  in  this  township,  ninety-seven  of  which  are  cultivated; 
here  he  lived  until  18G!),  since  which  he  has  made  several  exchanges 
of  land.  In  188^{,  in  company  with  Mr.  Jones,  he  built  the  Hunt 
City  Mills,  and  since  they  opened  their  business,  in  June  last,  the 
same  has  steadily  increased  and  promises  gloriously.  They  have 
three  "run  "  of  buhrs,  and  expect  to  improve  and  add  to  tlieir  ma- 


« 


W|IJA)\V    MILL    TOWNSHIP.  513 

chinory.  In  18l)(),  he  marriod  Cerilda  Chapman,  a  nativo  of  Jasper 
County,  who  died  in  1870.  He  next  manicd  Sarah  M.  Parr,  a  native 
of  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  parent  of  two  ehikh'en — Emily 
A.  and  Calvin  W.  Mr.  Dehow  is  a  Demoerat,  and  an  iuHuential 
citizen.  The  firm  of  .Jones  &  Debow  are  also  grain  dealers,  having 
charge  of  the  grain  house  at  Hunt  City. 

JEREMIAH  DOTY,  farmer,  Avas  born  at  Willow  Hill  in  1846, 
and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Daniel  and  Isabel  (Kitter)  Doty;  the 
former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  Daniel 
Doty  entered  the  land  now  owned  by  his  son,  in  the  early  days  of 
Illinois.  Jeri'miah  Doty  was  reared,  educated  and  has  done  Inisiness 
in  Willow  Hill.  Part  of  his  farm  has  been  platted  as  town  lots, 
known  as  "Doty's  Addition,"  said  farm  now  containing  seventy-five 
acres,  all  improved  and  under  good  cultivation.  In  lSo.">,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Dickey,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  died  within  one  year, 
and  in  lS(i7  he  wedded  Martha  J.  Smith,  likewise  of  Indiana,  which 
union  gave  issue  to  six  childnm — Samuel  O.,  Martha  E.,  Georsfe  F., 
James  N.,  Daniel  II.,  and  William  X.  Mr.  Doty  is  a  lifelong  Dem- 
ocrat, a  member  of  the  Predestinarian  Baptist  Church,  and  a  much 
esteemed  citizen. 

W.  H.  EIDSON,  M.  D.,  postmaster  at  Willow  Hill,  was  born 
in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  in  181(J,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Henry 
and  Nancy  (Bunch)  Eidson,  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  died  in 
184(3  and  1854,  respectively.  When  about  twenty-two,  Dr.  Eidson 
began  to  stu-Jy  medicine,  under  Drs.  Lynaweaver  &  Helfenstine,  and 
began  practice  at  twcnty-tive.  Soon  after  he  removed  to  Indiana, 
and  afterward  to  Marshall,  111.,  Avhere  he  practiced  dentistry,  and  later 
moved  to  Willow  Hill,  being  the  second  physician  in  the  township, 
where  he  soon  had  a  successful  ])ractice.  At  the  time  of  war  he 
enlisted  in  the  Thirty-Second  Illinois  Volunteers,  serving  at  Fort 
Henry,  Donelson  and  Shiloh,  and  afterward  as  enrolling  officer.  He 
then  resumed  practice,  but  from  enfeebled  health,  retired  in  1880, 
and  gave  the  business  to  his  son,  devoting  his  time  to  post-office 
duties,  having  served  about  one-half  of  twenty-nine  years  as  post- 
master. Dr.  Eidson  is  a  Knight  Temi)lar  in  the  Masonic  Order,  and 
he  has  been  ]\Lister  of  the  local  Lodge;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  K.,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  Secretary  and 
Director  of  the  D.,  O.  &  O.  K.  R.  R.  He  was  for  three  years 
County  Commissioner,  Justice,  four  years,  later  Township  Treasurer, 
and  has  been  President  of  Town  Trustees  for  several  years.  He 
was  a  Democrat,  after  18G0  a  Republican,  and  is  now  an  Independ- 


514  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

ent.     In   IMG,  he  msirricLl  Catherine  Coft'man,  of  Marvhuul,  with  ii 
result  of  three  chiklren — Henry  A.,  Oitherine  E.  and  Laura  J. 

Henhv  a.  Eiosox,  ]M.  i).,  was  born  Xovember  9,  184(1,  at 
Mexico,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  W.  H.  J^idson.  He  was  reared  and 
educated  at  AViUow  Hill,  also  t:iught  two  terms  before  becoming  of 
age,  served  as  clerk,  assisted  in  the  survey  of  the  D.,  O.  &  O- 11-  K.  R., 
and  afterward  engaged  in  mercantile  business  and  as  agent  for  the  rail- 
road company.  Having  previously  read  medicine  with  his  father,  he 
attended  and  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College  in  1880,  and  suc- 
ceeded to  his  father's  practice,  to  which  he  has  added  considerably. 
He  belongs  to  Cooper  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Xewton  Chapter  aud 
Gloria  Conunandery.  He  is  now  Master  of  Cooper  Lodge,  and  Vice 
Grand  in  the  1.  O-  O.  F.  He  is  independent  in  politics  and  an  influ- 
ential citizen.  Dr.  Eidson  was  married  the  day  after  his  graduation 
to  Anna  F.  Radclifl",  of  Ohio,  who  died  December  28,  of  same  year. 
In  1882,  he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  McCartney,  of  Neoga,  111. 

JOB  FITHIAN,  farmer,  is  a  native  of*  this  county,  was  born 
September  7,  1840,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Glover  and  Mary  (Catt) 
Fithian,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of  Indiana.  Job 
Fithiau  was  reared  near  Brockville,  and  there  remained  until  his 
twenty-first  year.  In  18(;i,  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  was  engaged  at  Pilot  Knob,  Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth, 
Perry vi lie.  Stone  River  and  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  wounded 
in  the  right  arm.  He  afterward  re-enlisted,  and  was  in  the  battles 
of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  and  after  passing  through  Louisiana  and 
Texas,  was  discharged  at  Victoria.  In  18G7,  he  married  Eveline 
Dickey,  a  native  of  Indiana,  by  which  nuptials  he  became  the  father 
to  five  chiklren— Albert,  Lizzie,  George,  Davy  and  an  infant  girl. 
Mr.  Fithian  has  several  times  been  possessor  of  the  old  homestead, 
and  now  has  a  fiirm  on  Section  30  west,  consisting  of  ninety-six 
acres,  all  well  improved  and  being  cultivated.  Mr.  Fithian  has  long 
been  a  Democrat,  but  is  liberal  and  intelligent,  and  stands  in  the 
foremost  rank  of  citizenship.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
has  held  several  township  offices. 

E.  C.  FLINN,  attorney-at-lavv,  was  born  in  the  year  1818,  in 
the  State  of  North  Carolina,  being  the  third  son  of  Josiah  and  ( Cath- 
erine (Mozer)  Flinn,  both  natives  of  the  '-Old  North  State."  When 
our  subject  was  nine  years  of  age  the  family  nu)ved  to  Greene  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  attended  an  old-tashioned  subscription  school  for 
thirty  days.  In  IS.'iS,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Greene  County, 
under  Judge  McDonald.     In  18G1,  he  removed  to  Jasper  County, 


MILLOAV    HILL    TOWNXHIP.  i515 

111.,  and  in  1H80,  after  a  State  examination,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  that  county,  whore  he  has  since  practiced  his  ])rotcssion  most  suc- 
cessfully. Mr.  Flinn,  in  1844,  married  Phebe  Christcnburs:,  a  native 
of  Indiana,  Avith  a  result  of  one  child,  Amanda  Holt,  lie  has  been 
a  nK'nd)er  of  the  Methodist  K[)iscoi)al  Church  several  years,  and  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  fom'teen  3'ears  in  Indiana,  and  has  been  a 
Republican  since  the  administration  of  Bu(dianan.  Mr.  Flinn  is 
wholly  a  self-nnide  man,  and  a  valued  and  deserving  citizen. 

M.  L.  GETTINGEK,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Darke  County,  Ohio, 
was  born  in  1858,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Butf) 
Gettinoer,  natives  respectively  of  jMaryland  and  Ohio,  who  moved 
to  Sullivan  County,  Ind.,  when  the  Doctor  was  about  six  years  of 
iige,  and  where  he  was  reared.  He  was  educated  at  the  Union  Chris- 
tian College,  at  Merom,  and  subsequently  became  a  student  of  the 
Ecdectic  ^Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati,  but  graduated  at  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  College  of  Saint  Louis.  His  tirst  location  was  jit  Annap- 
olis, 111.,  but  soon  after  came  to  Hunt  City,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  in  a  successful  practice,  and  has  grounded  a  flattering  repu- 
tation. In  1880,  he  married  Caroline  Hoskins,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
which  union  has  ofiven  birth  to  one  child,  Marv  J-  Dr.  Gettinger 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  always  been  a  Repul)lican, 
and  is  an  influential  and  respected  citizen. 

W.  H.  HIGGIXS,  deceased  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  a 
native  of  Boone  County,  Ky.,  having  been  born  in  1835.  He  was  the 
third  son  of  William  and  Xancy  Higgins,  sui)posed  to  have  been 
natives  of  Kentucky.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Kentucky  until  he 
attained  his  majority,  when  h(^  emigrated  to  this  township  and  settled 
on  the  estate  now  the  property  of  his  heirs.  It  contained  originally 
l(jO  acres  of  improved  land,  of  which  his  widow  now  owns  the  home 
and  100  acres.  October  14,  1875,  he  married  Mary  I.  Ireland,  a 
native  of  Illinois,  with  an  issue  of  one  child,  James  AV.  By  a  former 
wife,  Margaret  Ireland,  he  was  the  father  of  six  children,  viz.:  Dora 
B.  (Ping),  Harvey  A.,  Julius  W.,  Mary  F.,  Orlando  A.  and  John  I. 
Mr.  Higgins  died  April  29,  1880.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Order,  in  politics  a  Democrat,  a  prominent  farmer  and  a  highly 
respected  citizen. 

G.  R.  HOPPER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Hancock  County,  Ind., 
was  born  in  1845,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  James  and  Verlinda 
(Walker)  Hoj^per.  Our  subject  was  brought  to  manhood  and  edu- 
cated in  this  township,  and  afterward  bought  the  farm  of  his  father, 
who  now  resides  at  Oblong.     This  farm  comprises  134  acres,  all  im- 


516 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES JASPER   COUNTY: 


proved-and  well  cultivated,  situated  in  this  township,  and  forty  acres 
in  Crawford.  In  1865,  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirty-Second  Illinois 
Volunteers,]  and  served  six  months.  In  political  matters  he  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  In  18(56,  he 
married  ]\Iartha  J.  Hurt,  a  native  of  Virginia,  wiio  died  in  1871).  He 
next  married  Elvira  J.  Meritt,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Hopper  is 
the  parent  of  six  children,  viz.:  James  H.,  Albert  W.,  Francis  M., 
Estella  y.,  George  W.  and  Roy  A.  He  is  also  a  valuable  and  worthy 
citizen. 

GEORGE  W.  JOXES,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Jones  & 
Debow,  proprietors  of  the  Hunt  City  Mills,  was  born  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  in  1831,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Abraham  and  ]\Iary 
(Parr)  Jones,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  Mr. 
Jones  was  educated  at  Greenwood,  reared  in  his  native  county,  and 
there  remained  imtil  twenty  years  old,  at  which  period  he  came  to 
this  county  and  purchased  land  in  Brock\'ille  settlement.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  Willow  Hill  ever  since,  and  has  been  owner  of 
various  farms,  in  extent  from  40  to  380  acres,  and  now  is  owner  of 
two  farms  of  140  and  120  acres  respectively,  which  in  the  main  are 
improved  and  well  situated.  ]Mr.  Jones  taught  school  for  ten  win- 
ters, and  managed  a  saw-mill  for  five  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  was  for  four  years  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  has 
held  other  township  offices.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  Willow 
HilFs  best  citizens.  July  11,  18.51,  he  married  Rachel  Stretcher,  a 
native  of  Ohio.  Their  family  consists  of  seven  children,  viz.:  John 
E.,  S^'lman,  Tylman  W.,  AVilliam,  Otis,  Allen  and  Lillie. 

J.  B.  McNAIR,  carpenter,  was  born  in  1831)  in  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Thomas  and  Pruda  (Keeler)  McNair, 
natives  of  New  York  and  Indiana,  Avho  came  to  this  township  when 
our  subject  was  ten  years  old.  and  entered  over  300  acres  of  land. 
When  J.  B.  McNair  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  enlisted  in  the 
Thirty-Second  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  at  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  C'orinth,  LaGrange,  Bolivar,  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  and  othei-s.  At  Natchez  he  re-enlisted,  after  which 
he  was  sent  uj)  the  Ohio  and  Tennessee  rivers,  then  joined  Gen. 
Sherman's  march,  appearing  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington, 
and  thence  going  to  Leavenworth,  where  he  was  dischai-ged,  having 
risen  to  be  Second  Lieutenant.  He  was  wounded  while  on  march, 
the  minie-ball  Ix'inir  vetlodired  in  his  face,  and  from  long  and  arduous 
service  his  health   is  permanently  l)rokcn.     In  1864,  on  the  7th  of 


WILLOW    HILL   TOWNSIlir.  •>17 


April,  he  nuuTica  Teinpa,  daiiirlitor  of  Dr.  W-  II-  Eitlson,  and  native 
of  Oliio;  they  have  one  ehihl,  Daisy  K.  Mr.  McNair  is  a  Past  Master 
and  Chapter' Mason,  an  Odd  FelloAV,  and  a  member  of  the  G-  A.  K. 
He  is  a  lil);"ral  Ri'pnblican,  and  an  ostoemed  citizen. 

W.  F.  MASON,  is  a  native  of  Livingston  Connty,  III.,  and 
was  born  Xovember  20,  ls51.  His  ancestors  were  Virginians;  his 
parents  resided  in  Marshall,  III.,  for  four  years  and  afterward  moved 
to  Willow  Hill  about  185lj,  where  our  subject  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated. When  sixteen  years  old  he  began  clerking  Avith  Ilaynie, 
Eidson  &  Co.,  at  which  he  continued  seven  years.  In  1874,  with 
Henry  Curtis,  he  began  business  for  himself,  having  a  stock  of  about 
$2,800,  and  has  built  up  a  good  and  increasing  business.  Mr.  Curtis 
sold  his  interest,  in  1877,  to  :Mr.  (bttrell,  who  in  1878  sold  to  Mr. 
Mason,  who  has  since  mantiged  the  business  and  has  a  well-selected 
stock  valued  at  perhaps  $(),500.  In  June,  last,  he  purchased  the  stock 
of  Stewart  Bros.,  invoiced  at  $1,088,  exclusive  of  the  building.  Mr. 
Mason's  business  has  been  a  steady,  growing  one,  and  his  career  has 
been  prosperous,  with  no  untoward  current  except  a  safe  burglary, 
on  March  U,  1883.  Mr.  Mason  is  a  Republican,  a  rising  merchant, 
and  an  esteemed  citizen. 

J.  A.  :\IERRICK,  tarmer,  stock  and  grain  dealer,  was  born  August 
19,   18•^5,  in   Petersburg,  Ind.,  where  he  w^as  reared,  educated  and 
where     he     remained     until    the    age    of    twenty-five    years,     art 
•  which  period  he  commenced   the   dry   goods   trade  at  HutsonviUe, 
111.     In  181)8  he  came  to  Willow  Hill  and   purchased  500  acres;  he 
also   has  280  acres   of  timber   in  Indiana  and  280  in   addition  to 
his  farming  land  in  this  county,  besides  a  partnership  in  other  land. 
In  18:)4  he  married  Belle  G.  Huston,  a  native  ot  Illinois,  who  died  in 
18.)().     His  second  wife  is  Lizzie  Moore,  also  a  native  of  Illinois,  and 
he  is  the  parent  of  four  children— William  J.,  Henry  L.,  George  M. 
and  Ira  A.     Mr.  :Mcrrick  has  dealt  very  largely  in  stock  and  in  grain 
since  he  came  to  this  county.    AVlien  the  Whig  party  became  defunct 
he  joined  the  Republican  ranks.     For  four  years  he  was  a  director  of 
the  1).,  O.  cVc  O.  K.  R-.iilroad,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.     Mr.  Merrick  is  a  leading  and  influential  citizen. 
JOHN  MILLER,  tarmer,  is  the  third  son  of  James  and  Nancy 
(Kennedy)  Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky,    bur  sul)jeet  was  born  in  (U-awford  County,  III.,  in  the  year 
1831  and  reared  in  this  township,  whither  his  father  came  in  the  early 
days.     When  twenty-four  years  of  age  John  Miller  married  Lucy  A. 
Ping,  a  native  of  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  who  died  in  18G3,  and  in  1865 


518 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY : 


I 


he  married  liis  present  wife,  Elizabeth  A.  GoUl,  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see. Mr.  Miller  is  the  father  of  five  children— William,  Elisha, 
James  E.,  ^Lick  A.  and  Kedmond.  Mr.  Miller  has  bought  and 
exchanjred  araumtitv  of  farms  since  he  entered  his  first  land.  His 
present  farm  comprises  120  acres,  the  major  portion  of  which  is  ara- 
ble and  prodnctive.  Mr.  ^Miller  is  a  memlier  of  that  most  honorable 
of  orsfanizations — Freemtisonry;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  once  havinii:  been  a  Whig,  and  is  a  communicant  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  and  an  enliofhtened  and  liberal  citizen. 

CAPT.  T.  K.  :MILLEli,  farmer,  stock  and  grain  dealer,  was  born 
July  2(i,  182(i,  in  Crawford  County,  111.,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of 
James  and  Nancy  (Kennedy)  Miller,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Kentucky  respectively.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Miller  was  a  judge  of 
Crawford  County  for  more  than  twent}"  years.  The  father  of  our 
subject  came  to  Indiana,  then  a  territory,  in  1816.  When  Captain 
Miller  was  twenty  years  ofao-ehis  father  died,  leavins:  the  family 
in  his  care,  and  in  1849  he  entered  120  of  the  600  acres  that  he  now 
owns,  300  of  which  are  improved,  the  land  being  about  etpially  prai- 
rie and  timber,  containing,  also,  stone  and  stonecoal.  For  the  hist 
twenty  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  stock  dealing,  and  has  likewise 
dealt  somewhat  in  grain.  In  1850  he  married  Mary  A.  Gould,  of 
East  Tennessee,  which  union  produced  seven  children;  Ktichel  Mur- 
phy, Columbus  C.,  Sherman,  Kimball,  John,  Gil1)ert  and  May.  In 
1861  ^Ir.  Miller  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-Fourth  Illinois  Volunteers, 
of  which  he  was  made  Lieutenant,  and  afterward  Captain.  They 
fought  Forrest  in  Tennessee,  at  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  drove  Price 
out  of  service,  and  remained  in  that  department  until  186."),  when  he 
resigned,  having  served  three  years.  In  politics  he  has  been  Whig, 
Abolitionist  and  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

WILLIA:M  H.  MUCHMORE,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  ILimilton 
County,  Ohio,  was  born  in  \KM'),  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Benjamin 
p.  and  Louise  (Robison)  jNIuchmore,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  The  jiar- 
ents  of  our  subject  removed  to  Indiana  when  he  Avas  young,  and  in 
that  State  he  received  his  rearing  and  education.  After  he  was  four- 
teen years  of  aire  he  removed  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  where  he 
remained  until  he  was  of  age,  and  pm-chased  ninety  acres  of  land, 
whicii  contains  some  improvements,  and  sixty  of  which  are  under 
irood  cultivation.  In  1?S57  he  married  Eliza  Ireland,  a  native  of  Jas- 
per  County,  which  marriage  gave  being  to  six  children — James> 
William,  Leonard,  Alvia,  Savana  and  Lillie,     Mr.  Muchmore  is  a 


WILLOW     HILL    TOWNSIIII*. 


>VJ 


member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  is  also 
a  grounded  Kepu])liean,  from  which  principles  he  never  deviates 
except  in  county  elections,  and  he  is  a  valuable  citizen. 

WILLIAM  C.  PARKS,  hotel  and  l)oardin.ir-h()use  keeper,  was 
born  July  1,  1837,  in  Breckinridge  County,  Ky.,  and  is  the  third  son 
of  Seth  and  Mary  (McCoy)  Parks,  natives  respectively  of  New  York 
and  Virginia.     He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Kentucky,  remaining 
there  until  al)out  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  worked  at  farming. 
There    he   attended    Eldorado    Seminary    and     taught    two    terms 
of     school.      In    1(SG3    lie    enlisted   in   the   Thirty-Fifth    Kentucky 
(Mounted)  Infantry,  which  was  employed  in  protecting  citizens  from 
gueriUa  raids;  he  was    Orderly  Sergeant,  and  discharged  in  1.S64. 
In  April,  1865,  he  removed  to  Willow^  Hill  Township  and  purchased^ 
120  acres.     May   27  18()6,  he  married  Amanda  Layman,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.     She    died   May  2,  1883,  leaving  three  children— Ada, 
Lcn-ena  and  Bertha.     In  November,  1881,  he  came  to  Hunt  City,  and 
l)uilt  his  present  place  of  business,  which  is  now  a  first-class  hotel, 
of  which  ]\Ir.  Parks  is  the  genial  host  and  liberal  caterer.     He  is  a 
meml)cr  of  the  ]\Iasonic  Order,  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.     He  is  politically  a  Republican,  and  has  held  various  town- 
ship offices. 

E.  W.  PARKS,  railroad  and  express  agent,  also  dealer  in  grain, 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  184.5,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Seth  and 
Mary  (McCoy)  Parks.  -  E.  W.  Parks  was  reared  until  his  twentieth 
year,  in  Breckinridge  County,  Ky.     He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  this 
township,  which  he  managed  eleven  years;  it  contained  120  acres,  all 
cultivated  and  improved.     This  he  exchanged  for  a  store  in  Hunt 
City,  having  a  $3,000  stock,  in  which  he  continued  until  l.SSl,  when 
he  lost,  by  fire,  everything  except  an  insurance  of  $2,000,  after  which 
he  built  the  l)uilding  now  occupied  by  T.  H.  Week.     Noveml)er  2(v 
1808,  lie  married  :\Iiss  Elizabeth  Clemens,  a  native'of  Kentucky,  with 
a  result  of  two  children— Jesse  E.   and  Claude.     Mr.  Parks  there- 
after engaged  in  the  grain  trade,in  which  he  has  since  been  an  operator. 
Since  the  establishment  of  the  D.  &  O-  R.  R-  he  has  been  its  ticket 
and  express  agent,  and  his  son,  Jesse  E.,  a  telegraph    operator.    Mr. 
Parks  is  a  me^nl)er  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  the   Presbyterian  Church, 
and  was  postnnister  of  Hunt  City  from  the  time  he  entered  business 
until  July,  1883.     In   politics  he  is  independent,    with    a    leaning 
toward  the  Democrats,  and  an  enterprising  and  valual)le  citizen. 

I.  B.  PARR,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
born  in  1 830.     He  is  the  youngest  son  of  Matthias  and  Sarah  C  ( Kim- 


520  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES JASPER    COUNTY: 

ball)  Parr,  the  first  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Ten- 
nessee. Our  subject  was  reared,  educated,  and  found  a  home  in  John- 
son County,  Ind.,  until  he  was  twenty-three  years' of  aire,  and  at  this 
period  he  [)urchased  his  farm  of  250  acres.  In  1849,  he  married  Mary 
A.  Stretcher,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  his  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Sarah 
Stretcher,  a  native  of  Virg-inia.  He  is  the  parent  of  six  children — 
John  E.,  Sarah  M.,  Matthias  B.,  Armilda  J.,  Thomas  J.  and  AVillet 
L.  ]\Ir.  Parr  has  taught  in  all  twenty  terms,  and  has  held  several 
township  offices.  He  is  politicall}^  a  Democrat,  religiously  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Predestinarian  Baptist  Church,  and  socially' an  upright  and 
deserving  citizen. 

M.  H.  PERRIX,  carpenter  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  born  in 
1838,  in  Breckinridge  County,  Ky.,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Sally  D.  (Hardin)  Perrin.  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky. 
AMlliam  Perrin  lived  to  be  nearlv  ciahtv-five  years  of  asfc  M.  H. 
Perrin  remained  at  his  home  in  Breckinridge  County,  Ky.,  until  1864, 
when,  having  learned  the  carpenters'  trade,  he  came  to  Willow  Hill, 
where,  except  for  a  period  of  two  j^ears  at  Mattoon,  he  has  remained 
and  pursued  his  calling.  In  addition  to  the  trade,  he  has  contracted 
successfully,  and  employs  constantly  from  one  to  six  men.  He  is  the 
only  contractor  in  the  place,  and  has  increased  his  trade  from  year  to 
year.  In  1860,  he  married  Missouri  Cooper,  a  native  of  Ohio  (who 
was  so  named  by  the  editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer;  her  sister 
was  also  named  b}'  the  said  party,  A-^irginia),  with  an  issue  of  three 
children — Ida,  Washinirton  ]\IcL.  and  Hcnrv  K.  ]\Ir.  Perrin  is  a  mem- 
ber  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fraternities,  in  which  he  has  held 
the  chief  offices.  He  is  also  a  memljcr  of  the  Mutual  Aid  Associa- 
tion of  Galesburg,  and  the  Good  Templars.  He  is  a  filrm  Democrat, 
and  acted  as  Justice  for  two  years. 

J.  R.  REESE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1848,  and 
is  the  second  son  of  Elias  and  Mary  (Harding)  Reese,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Excepting  an  absence  of  three  years  in  Virginia,  our  sub- 
ject was  reared  and  educated  in  Lycoming  County,  Penn.,  from  which 
point  he  emigrated  to  this  State  and  purchased  the  Evermond  Mound 
Farm,  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  This  property  is  peculiar  and 
superior,  Ij'ing  high,  and  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding 
landscape.  Tiie  base  of  the  land  is  red  and  white  sand,  covered  with 
a  stratum  of  fine  walnut  loam.  It  em])races  between  100  and  200 
acres,  and  is  nearly  all  improved  and  cultivated.  In  1862,  Mr.  Reese 
enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Second  Regiment  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and  at  once  moved  to  Arliiiirton  Heights,  thence 


WILLOW   HILL   TOWNSIIir.  521 

to  Frodoricksbur«r,  South  Mountain,  Harper's  Ferry,  AVarrcnton  and 
Chanoellorsvillc,  where  he  was  captured,  confined  at  Belle  Isle,  and 
later,  exchanired  and  discharired.  In  1  >^C}H,  he  married  Mary  J.  Moore, 
of  Ilutsonville,  111.,  which  marriage  was  productive  of  three  children— 
George  L.,  Maggie  B.  and  Ralph  I.  Mr.  Kcose  is  a  firm  K('i)ul)lican, 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  K.,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
His  father  was  once  owner  of  a  tarm  adjoining  the  battle-field  of  Bull 

Kun. 

HUGH  F.  SANDERS,  farmer,- was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind., 
in  the  year  1850,  and  is  the  fifth  child  in  the  family  of  Wright  and 
Elizabeth  (Ashcraft)  Sanders,  the  former  :i  native  of  Indiana,  and 
the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Our  subject  found  a  home,  education  {\nd 
training,  in  Orange  County,  until  he  attained  the  age  of  seventeen, 
whereupon  he  came  to  this  township,  and  in  1876,  purchased  his  pres- 
ent tarm  of  116  acres,  partly  improved  and  cultivated.  In  1870,  he 
married  Mary  E.  Downey,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  died  in  1876.  His 
second  marriage  was  with  Susan  E.  Shafer,  a  native  of  Illinois.  He 
is  the  parent  of  two  children— Lydia  M.  and  Daisy  A.  Mr.  Sanders 
is  a  grounded  Democrat,  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
an  esteemed  member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F.,  and  one  of  Willow  Hill's 
reliable  and  efficient  citizens. 

G.  M.  SELBY,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
in  1830,  and  is  the  eldest  living  son  of  Hasty  and  Richel  (Johnson) 
Selby,  the  former  a  native  of  Maryland,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Mr. 
Selby  was  reared  at  home  until  his  majority,  when  he  went  to  Clin- 
ton County  for  three  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Willow  Hill, 
and  one  year  later  purchased  his  present  farm,  which  contains  150 
acres,  the  greater  portion  of  which  is  well  cultivated  and  improved. 
In  1851,  he  married  Hester  A.  Biker,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  left 
the  world  in  1 858.  He  afterward  married  Elizabeth  Stewart,  a  native 
of  Shelby  County,  Ind.  Mr.  Selby  is  the  parent  of  five  chiklren— 
Viola,  Ann  E.  and  John  (twins),  and  Alviu  and  Calvin  (twins).  In 
politics  Mr.  Selby  has  always  voted  with  the  Democratic  party,  and 
has  held  several  township  offices.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows fraternity,  and  is  among  the  township's  leading  citizens. 

FREDERICK  A.  SEMPSROTT,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
was  born  in  the  year  1829,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Diedrichand 
Anna  Sempsrott,  likewise  natives  of  Germany.  Frederick  received 
his  schoolinor  and  home  traininir  in  Germanv,  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  at  which  period  he  removed  to 
America,  settled  in  the  commonwealth  of  Indiana,  and  lived  there 


522  BIOGRAPHICAL    .SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

five  or  six  years.  In  1SG2,  he  removed  to  his  present  location,  which 
em})races  215  acres  of  hind,  well  improved  and  mostly  cnltivatod. 
In  1842,  he  was  joined  in  matrimony  to  Anna  Steinforth,  a  native 
of  Germany;  this  nnion  lias  oiven  beiiiir  to  seven  chihh-en,  viz.: 
Charles,  Henry,  Carrie,  Lizzie,  Anna,'  William  and  John.  Mr. 
Sempsrott  is  and  has  been  lono-  identified  with  the  principles  of  the 
Repuljlican  party,  and  is  a  iisefnl  and  respected  citizen. 

MILTOX  SIMS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Kentncky  in  1S2;),  and  is 
the  second  son  of  Thomas  and  Lncinda  (Hudson)  Sims,  both  natives 
of  Kentucky.  ]\Iilton  w^as  a  resident  of  the  commonwealth  of  Ken- 
tucky until  his  eio-hteenth  year,  Avhen  the  family  moved  to  Kush 
County,  Ind.,  and  about  seven  years  later  he  entered  his  present  farm 
of  240  acres,  nearlv  all  of  which  is  in  aood  cultivation,  and  with 
commodious  buildiiiors.  In  1849,  he  married  Priscilhi  Harlen,  of 
Jasper  (V)nnty,  who  died  in  1859,  leaving  eight  children,  viz.:  Mar- 
tha A.  (Johnson),  William,  Marion,  Richard,  Ida,  Georgia  A.,  Xorah 
L.  and  Docia  L.  Mr.  Sims  afterward  married  Sarah  (Ireland) 
Mitchell,  a  native  of  Indiana.  ]\lr.  Sims  was  in  former  times  a 
Whig,  but  since  the  decline  of  that  party  has  been  identified  with 
the  Democrats.  He  has  been  Supervisor,  and  held  other  oflices  in 
the  township;  he  is  an  enterprising  citizen,  and  a  meml)er  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

S.  C  STEWART,  proprietor  of  Willow  Hill  :Mills,  is  a  native 
of  Ohio  and  was  born  in  February,  1825.  His  parents,  John  and 
Mary  Stewart,  have  traced  their  lineage  backward  for  about  200 
years;  they  descended  from  the  Anneke  Jans,  Bogardus  and  Weber 
families;  the  List  of  the  Webers  having  been  supposed  to  be  a 
grand-daughter  of  King  William  lY.  Mv.  Stewart  has  a  complete 
chart  of  tliese  families.  The  father  of  our  subject  lived  for  a  period 
in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  S.  C  Stewart  passed  his  life 
until  his  thirtieth  year  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  working  as  a  farmer 
and  in  a  saw-mill.  In  1.S77,  he  purchased  the  Willow  Hill  Mills,  at 
that  time  the  only  mills  existing  in  the  township;  he  has  two  run 
of  buhrs,  and  does  a  large  business.  In  18()2,  he  m:irried  Mary  East, 
a  native  of  Washington  County,  111.,  who  died  thirteen  years  subse- 
quently. In  1878,  iie  married  Elizabeth  Stewart,  of  Indiana.  He  is 
the  [)arent  of  two  children.  James  R.  and  Lewis  C.  Mr.  Stewart  is 
a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  liaptist  Church,  and  a  reliable,  respected 
citizen. 

HENRY    S  FEW  ART,  senior  of    the  firm   of  Stewart  Bros., 
Hunt  City,  was  born  in  this  township  in  1855,  being  the  eldest  son 


WILLOW    HILL    TOWNSIIII'.  523 

of  James  and  Klizuhcth  (Jones)  Stewart.  l)otli  natives  of  Shelby 
County,  1ml.,  where  our  subject  Avas  reared  and  educated,  and  worked 
until  of  a£>-e,  at  which  time  he,  in  alliance  with  his  brother,  Ijoniiht 
the  Willow  Hill  Mills,  and  afterward  had  a  store  Avhich  was  ])r()ken 
up  by  burglars,  who  took  from  them  si, 800,  and  thus  compelled 
them  to  sell  their  stock.  Not  discourai>ed,  however,  they  pressed  for- 
ward and  have  now  a  fine  store  and  large  stock,  valued  at  $3,000, 
besides  a  building  worth  $1,500,  with  a  steadily  growing  trade.  Mr. 
Stewart  is  a  member  of  the  ^lasonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fraternities. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  very  promising  young  man. 

ISAIAH  STEWART,  junior  of  the  firm  of  Stewart  Bros.,  was 
also  born  in  this  townshi})  in  1857,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated 
until  the  age  of  eighteen,  Avlien  he  began  business  with  his  brother 
at  Willow  Hill.  ]\lr.  Stewart  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  ]M.  and 
I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  been  Township  Collector  and  Clerk,  the  former 
of  which  oifices  he  is  now  filling,  and  the  money  fcikcn  by  the  above 
related  burglary  being  the  funds  of  the  township.  In  July  last,  he 
was  made  postmaster  at  Hunt  City,  and  has  always  been  identified 
with  the  Democratic  party.  Mr.  Isaiah  Stewart  is  a  young  gentle- 
man having  a  strongly  hopeful  prospect;  he  is  chorister  of  the  Wil- 
low Hill  Sunday-school,  and  prominent  in  good  example. 

A\'.  J.  SWOPE,  grain  and  stock  dealer,  was  born  in  Greenfield,. 
Ind.,  in  the  yetir  184G,  and  is  the  only  son  of  Maun  and  Eliza  J. 
(Chamberlain)  Swope,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter 
of  Kentucky.  In  1858,  after  his  father's  death,  the  family  moved 
to  Prairie  City,  III.,  where  he  obtained  schooling  and  remained  until 
of  ao-e,  when  he  besran  the  errocery,  later  the  liverv  business,  and 
some  time  after  w'as  in  the  merchandise  trade  at  Orandville  for  four 
years.  AVhen  the  railroad  was  through  to  Willow  Hill  he  com- 
menced stock  buying  and  grain  dealing,  and  this  has  since  engaged 
his  attention.  Mr.  Swope,  in  18(3G,  married  Enmia  J.  Dare,  a  native 
of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  the  result  of  which  union  was  six  children, 
viz.:  Luna,  Lee,  Nellie,  Lady,  Birdie  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Swope  is 
a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he 
has  tid^en  all  the  degrees,  and  has  been  representative  and  deputy  of 
the  lodge,  and  was  its  first  Noble  Grand.  He  is  a  Democrat,  has 
been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  last  six  years,  and  is  one  of  AVil- 
low  Hill's  most  prominent  citizens. 

A.  C.  TERHUNE,  civil  engineer  of  the  T.,  T.  &  11.  G.  Railway, 
is  a  native  of  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  was  born  in  1850,  and  is  the 
eldest  son  of  John  S.  and  Mary  A.  (Cheek)  Terhune,  the  former  a 

32 


524  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  John  S-  Terhune  was 
an  oM  settler  and  carpenter,  and  a  soldier  of  the  Thirty-Second  Illi- 
nois Reii-iment.  He  received  an  injury  from  a  irunboat  at  Pittsburg 
Landinir;  was  thereby  disabled  and  sent  to  hospitals  at  Yincennesand 
Evansville,  from  which  he  was  discharged.  He  was  a  member  oi 
the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  are  all  of  the  family.  He  died  in 
1877,  and  his  widow  and  two  daughters  are  residing  on  the  place. 
A.  C  Terhune  was  brought  to  Willow  Hill  when  seven  years  of  age, 
and  here  he  received  his  education  and  training.  He  commenced 
railroadmg  in  1872,  with  the  D.,  O.  &  O.  R.,  then  on  the  S-,  E.  &  S.  E. 
(now  the  I.  &  I.  S.  G),  and  is  now  Avitli  the  T.,  T.  &  11.  G.  Railway. 
Mr.  Terhune  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  E.  &  A.  M.,  and  in  i)olitics  is  a 
thorough  Republican,  as  well  as  an  enterprising  and  well-regarded 
citizen. 

P.  A.  TERHUNE,  merchant,  was  born  in  Decatur  County.  Ind., 
in  1844,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  James  B.  and  Martha  M.  (Cotf)  Ter- 
hune, the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Indiana.  AVheu 
our  subject  was  about  fourteenjearsof  age,  his  parents  moved  to  "Wil- 
low Hill  Township,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  Except  one 
year's  traveling  in  Kansas  and  Missouri,  he  was  at  home,  and  worked 
on  the  farm  until  his  tAventy-seventh  year.  In  association  Avith  his 
brother,  he  bought  John  Watt's  stock  of  goods,  which  he  sold  after- 
wards to  a  younger  brother.  He  then  farmed  for  about  a  year,  after 
which  he  bought  a  $/>25  stock  of  goods  at  Newton,  but  soon  moved 
therewith  to  his  present  building,  where  his  stock  has  increased,  and 
his  business  has  prosi)ered,  the  former  aggregating  $4,000,  and  the  lat- 
ter being  one  of  the  best  of  the  neighborhood.  1  Ic  also  handles  grain. 
Mr.  Terhune  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  has  been  ^Master  of  Cooper 
Lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  187(>,  he  was  a 
candidate  for  Circuit  Clerk  by  the  Rei)ublicans,  to  which  jxarty  he  has 
always  been  allied,  and  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  popular 
citizens.  In  1872,  Mr.  Terhune  married  Cyrena  Dearnes,  a  native  of 
Mount  Pleasant,  Ohio — a  union  graced  by  two  children — Guy,  and 
James  A. 

WILLIAM  T.  WATT  is  a  native  of  Bowling  Green,  Ivy.,  was 
born  in  the  year  1844,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Fideler  N.,  and  Hen- 
rietta AVatt,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  AVilliam  T.  Watt  left  his 
native  town  of  Bowlinir  Green,  Avhen  eiirhteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
traveled  through  the  South  as  far  as  Galveston,  and  upward  as  far 
as  Lakes  Sui)erior  and  Michigan,  on  a  tour  of  pleasure.  In  187G,  he 
married  Alsey  K.  Jared,   a  widow,  and  a  native  of  Kentucky,  who 


WILLOW  HILL  TowNsiiir.  525 

had  Uvo  children  by  her  former  huslKiiid— Cordelia  and  AVilbcrt. 
Mr.  Watt,  our  subject,  has  but  one  child— Bernice.  His  present 
farm  and  home,  comprise  in  area  eighty-one  and  a  half  acres,  all  of 
which  are  under  cultivation  and  fair  improvement.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  frvG-dt  Masonic  Fraternity,  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  the  Grange,  and  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  stanch  and  intelligent 
Kei)ublican,  and  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  valued  citizens. 

JES8K  WAY  is  a  native  of  Orange  County,  Ind.,  was  born  in 
1888,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Anderson  and  Lenna  ( Voris)  Way,  the 
former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  Jesse  was 
reared  in  his  native  county,  and  there  remained  until  he  reached  his 
majority,  Avhen  he  began,  and  continued  farming  for  himself  until 
1874,  and  then  came  to  this  township  and  purchased  his  present  farm 
of  150  acres.  In  1858,  he  married  Fanny  Sanders,  a  native  of  Orange 
County,  a  union  sanctified  by  six  children — Amanda  C-  (Holt),  Eliza 
F.  (Price),  Wilson  L.,  John  A.,  Rosa  B.  and  William  H.  Mr.  Way  is 
a  member  of  the  ^Masonic  Fraternity,  also  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  of 
the  I5aptist  Church.  He  has  held  several  township  offices.  Mr.  Way 
is  a  constant  and  conscientious  Democrat,  and  is  to  be  regarded  as 
one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  the  township  of  Willow  Hill. 

T.  H.  WECK,  merchant,  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  in 
the  year  1851.     He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Michael  and  Julia  A.  (Booser) 
Week,  both  natives  of  Maryland,  who  came  to  Crawford  County 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  six  years  old,  which  location  con- 
tinued to  be  his  home  until  he  was  about  twenty-three  years  old,  when 
his  father  died,  and  he  took  the  management  of  the  farm  until  January, 
1883,  when  he  bought  his  present  stock  of  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots 
and  shoes,  grain,  fowls,  etc.     His  storeroom  is  one  of  the  best  in  the 
township,  and  he  has  a  well-chosen  stock  and  a  fast-growing  trade. 
In  the  grain  trade  Mr.  E.  W.  Parks  is  associated  with  him  as  partner. 
Mr.    AVeck,  in   1874,  married  Tempa    Wright,  a   native  of  Jasper 
County,  Avith  an  issue  of  three  children — ]Maggie,  Ida  and  Susie.  Mr. 
Week  is  a  long-standing  Republican,  a  good  l)usiness  man,  a  worthy 
citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  New  Light  Church. 

THOMAS  J.  WISEMAN  was  born  at  Cincinnati  in  1824,  and 
is  the  eldest  son  of  Judge  John  A.,  and  Mary  (Harrison)  Wiseman, 
natives  of  Pliiladeli^hia  and  Cincinnati  respectively.  Judge  John  A. 
Wisemai;  was  once  Mayor  of  Cincinnati,  and,  with  his  father,  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  city.  Mrs.  AYiseman  was  a  relative 
of  General  Harrison.  Thomas  J.  was  reared  and  schooled  in  Cincin- 
nati, Avhere,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  commenced  the  carpenters' 


526 


BIOGIlArHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 


trade,  and  after  his  apprenticeship  began  business  for  himself,  which 
he  continued  until  1^50,  when  he  was  appointed  auction  inspector, 
remaining  such  until  the  office  Avas  abolished,  three  years  later, 
whereupon  he  Avas  given  a  clerkship  in  the  Legislature,  and  after- 
ward made  editor  of  the  Democratic  organ,  Tagei<hlatt.  He  after- 
ward farmed  until  18G5,  when  he  purchased  his  place  in  this  town- 
ship, consisting  of  300  acres,  nearly  all  of  which  is  cultivated  and 
improved.  In  1848,  he  married  Mary  Rem  linger,  a  natii^e  of  Cheviot, 
Ohio.  They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children,  viz.,  John,  Emma, 
George,  AMUiam  L.,  Lotta,  Edward  and  Hany.  ]\lr.  Wiseman  is  a 
man  of  broad  and  independent  thought,  as  well  as  intelligent  action. 
He  is  a  liberal  Democrat  and  prominent  citizen. 


CROOKED    CREEK    TOWNSHIP.  527 


CROOKED    CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 

ADRIAN  F.  ATEX,  son  of  Aaron  :M.  and  :Margaivt  (Dcmott) 
Atcn,  was  l)orn  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  on  :May  25,  1820.  The  par- 
ents M'ere  born  in  Henry  County,  Ky.,  and  were  very  early  settlers 
of  Preljle  County,  Ohio,  l)ut  in  1831)  the  father  sold  his  land  and 
bouiiht  a  farm  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  to  which  he  soon  after 
moved.  Our  subject  attended  school  in  the  pioneer  schoolhouse  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  during  his  early  youth.  He  remained  on 
the  farm  until  1857.  On  December  2o,  1845,  he  married  Catharine, 
dauirhter  of  Henry  Byers,  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.  Ten  children 
were  l)orn  to  them,  nine  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Aaron  M.,  Eliza- 
beth, Henrv  B.  S-,  Margaret,  Florence,  William  D.,  Orion  C., 
J.  Franklin  and  Theodore.  In  1857  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Crooked 
Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  and  purchased  and  settled  on  328 
acres  in  Section  (3,  wnth  some  improvements.  He  has  now  540  acres 
in  this  township,  nearly  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  In  1870 
he  built  a  fine  frame  house.  He  is  a  general  fanner,  and  raises  some 
stock.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  both 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  couple  have  just  returned 
from  the  sixty-seventh  anniversary  of  the  marriage  of  the  wife's 
brother,  who  resides  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.  On  this  occasion 
there  were  gathered  together  more  than  500  of  the  family  con- 
nections. 

AMOS  BARTLEY,  son  of  John  P.  and  Charity  (Lawson)  Bart^ 
ley,  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  on  ]\Iay  16,  1825,  and  at  four 
years  of  age  moved  with  his  father  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm.  He  went  to  school  about  three  months  in  the 
year  and  labored  on  a  farm  the  remainder  of  each  year,  until,  in  1850, 
he  went  l)y  the  overland  route  to  California,  being  six  months  on  the 
road.  While  there  he  worked  at  farming  and  mining,  but  in  1853 
he  returned  East  and  settled  in  Jasper  Count}^  111.,  locating  on  160 
acres  of  land  in  AVillow  llill  Township,  wdiich  his  father  had  entered 
in  an  early  day.  While  there  he  was  married  to  Nancy,  daughter  of 
Aaron  Harlan,  of  Jasper  County.  Three  children,  all  deceased,  were 
born  to  thorn.  His  wife  also  died,  in  18(51.  He  was  next  married  on 
February  3,  1864,  to  Melinda,  daughter  of  Harris  and  Margaret 
(Thompson)  Tyner.  Mrs.  B.  has  borne  her  husband  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:     Annie  and  Benjamin  F.     After  his 


528  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

marria.o-e  he  located  for  a  short  time  on  his  farm  near  Newton,  and, 
in  18(j5,  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Crooked  Creek  Township  and  pur- 
chased 200  acres  in  Section  ^C,  which  farm  he  has  well  improved  and 
on  which  he  now  resides.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  of  liberal 
views.     He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

GEORGE  D.  BRIGGS,  son  of  James  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Ilud- 
dleston)  Briggs,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  April  10,  1837.  At 
the  age  of  two  years  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  attended  school  and  worked  in  a  tobacco  factory  until  18.52,  when 
his  parents  died.  He  then  found  his  way  to  Coles  County,  111.,  where 
he  learned  carpentering,  at  which  he  worked  until  IS.")!);  he  next 
peddled  dry  goods  until  December,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  Sixty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  While  out  for- 
aging he  accidentally  broke  his  leg,  which  led  to  his  discharge  in 
August,  1862,  on  account  of  disability.  After  recovery  he  worked 
on  ^i  farm  until  1864,  then  came  to  Jasper  County  and  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  tobacco.  May  1,  1866,  he  married  Rhua  C, 
daughter  of  John  Rice,  of  this  county.  He  has  seven  children  liv- 
ing—Charles H.,  Laura,  Bessie,  Bert  and  Pearl  (twins),  Harrie  and 
Aita.  Mr.  Briggs  built  the  first  house  at  Hidalgo,  of  which  town 
his  wife  was  appointed  postmistress,  September  1,  1879.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Rose  Hill  Post,  No.  1.58, 

G.  A.  R. 

NATHAN   BROOKS,   son   of  Isaac   and   Patience   (Spencer) 

Brooks,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  in  August,  1833,  and  when 

about  six  years  of  age  was  brought  to  this  township  by  his  father. 

Here  he  attended  school  and  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  the 

breaking   out  of  the  war,  when  he   enlisted,   August  U.   l.siH,  in 

Company  II,  Tiiirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.     Soon  after 

enlistment  he  was  taken  ill,  and  on  that  account  was  discharged 

in  1862,  when  he  returned  home,  and  after  his  recovery  again  went 

to  work  on  the  home  farm.     January  13,  1867,  he  married  Mary  E. 

Cummins,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza  (Kibler)  Cummins,  who 

came  to  Crooked  Creek  Township  in  1838.     There  have  been  five 

children  born  to  this  union— Emma  E.,  Ida,  Laura,  John  W.  and 

William  Daniel.     Mr.  Brooks  owns  120  acres  on  Section  20,  and  is 

a  general  farmer.     In  ])olitics  he  is  a  Republican. 

ROBERT  II.  BROWN,  son  of  John  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Brown) 
Brown,  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  September  13, 1844.  John 
D.  Brown  was  a  farmer  and  wagon-maker,  and  when  not  at  school 
Robert  II.  worked  on  the  farm  or  in  the  shop.    The  father  died  in 


W 


CROOKKI)    CKEElv    TOWNSIIIP.  529 

18()1,  and  the  support  of  t lie  mother  fell  to  a  i^reat  extent  upon  our 
subject.  But  the  war  broke  out  and  he  enlisted,  October  21,  l.s(i2, 
in  the  Twentv-Second  Indiana  Volunteer  liatterv.  He  was  at  Ken- 
esaw  Mountiiin.  in  front  of  Atlanta,  at  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
and  in  all  the  cniiaii;-enients  in  which  his  battery  took  part,  lie  was 
disc  ha  rood  July  JS,  Lsil,"),  and  returned  to  the  support  of  his  mother. 
In  1S72  he  came  to  this  county,  farmed  about  ei<iht  years,  and  then 
boui>ht  out  a  ijeneral  stock  of  merchandise  at  Harrisbur"-,  this  town- 
shii),  and  traded  until  18<Sl),  Avhen  he  sold  out  to  take  a  needed  rest. 
He  is  still  unmarried,  and  devotes  his  time  and  means  to  the  care  of 
his  mother.  lie  is  a  charter  mcml)er  of  Rose  Hill  Post,  No.  158, 
(jr.  A.  R,,  and  his  mother  is  a  menil)er  of  the  Baptist  Church,  which 
he  also  attends. 

.AIITCHELL  T.  BRUSTER  was  born  in  Grayson  County,  Ky., 
March  1,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Jeffers) 
Bruster,  natives  of  Virofinia.  AI)out  183")  the  tamily  moved  to  Coles 
County,  111.,  where  our  subject  attended  a  pioneer  school,  and  assisted 
on  the  home  farm  until  the  spring  of  1847,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  G,  Eii>hth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  the  war  with 
Mexico,  and  served  three  years.  Next  he  passed  about  seven  years 
in  and  about  the  lead  mines  at  Mineral  Point,  AVis.,  and  elsewhere, 
and  then  returned  to  his  father's  farm.  May  1,  1857,  he  married 
Eliza  J.  Baker,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  December  15,  1833,  and 
came  with  her  parents,  Jacob  and  Mary  (Edmon)  Baker,  to  Coles 
Count}'^,  this  State,  in  1852.  To  their  marriage  five  children  were 
born — Jerome,  John  W.,  Martha  J.,  Jacob  C.  and  George  C  Of 
these  Martha  J.  and  George  C.  alone  survive.  INIr.  Bruster 
remained  in  Coles  County,  working  at  saw-milling,  until  1868,  when 
he  came  to  this  township  and  pin'chased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  Sec 
tion  32,  to  Avhich  he  has  since  added  forty  acres;  he  resides  in  the 
village  of  Rose  Hill,  is  the  only  survivor  of  Company  G,  and  is 
thought  to  be  the  only  survivor  of  the  Mexican  War  in  the  county. 
His  grandfather  Jetfers  was  killed  in  the  Revolutionary  AVar,  as 
was  his  wife's  grand  uncle,  Samuel  Edmon.  Mr.  Bruster  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  he  and  wife  are  mcmbei"s  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
in  which  he  has  served  as  Steward,  Trastee  and  Sunday-school 
superintendent. 

AMOS  P.  CALDWELL,  son  of  Andrc^w  and  Sena  (Sharp)  Cald- 
well, natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  Avas  born  November 
2(i,  1.S31),  in  Clark  County,  III.  Three  days  aft<n-  his  birth  his  mother 
died,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  he  lost  his  father.     He  then   lived 


530  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

with  an  aunt,  Jane  Lowell,  who  sent  him  to  school  until  he  was  six- 
teen years  of  aije,  when  she  died.  He  then  went  to  live  with  his 
aunt  Kebecca  Goodman,  in  \\<so  County,  Ind.,  where  he  worked  on 
a  farm  until  the  breaUiuir  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany II,  Eleventh  Indiana,  three  months'  service,  and  fouofht  atlloni- 
nev,  Va.  After  his  dis<'hariie  he  immediately  joined  Comi)any  L, 
Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  for  three  years' service.  He  fought  at  Pilot 
Knob,  Batesville  and  Helena,  Ark.,  and  at  Vicksburg.  At  the  last 
place,  he  was  c{i[)tured  by  the  enemy,  and  confined  in  Libby  Prison 
ciiiht  months,  when  he  was  exchanged.  He  was  then  with  Sherman 
from  Vicksburg  to  Meridian,  and  was  discharged  in  1804  He  worked 
at  various  points  awhile  and  then  settled  on  forty  acres,  well  im- 
proved, in  this  township.  ]\ray  2,  18G7,  he  married  Rebecca  J.  Hen- 
dricks, the  daughter  of  Isaac  H.  and  Nancy  (Connor)  Hendricks. 
They  have  had  four  children — Albert  H.,  Edwin  H,  Lula  (deceased) 
and  Charles.  Mr.  Caldwell  is  a  ]\lason  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.  Isaac  H.  Hendricks  is  the  son  of  Samuel  arid  ]\Iary  (Taylor) 
Hendricks,  was  born  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  February  22,  1823, 
married  Xancy  Connor  January  30,  1845,  and  came  to  this  township 
in  1857;  his  wife  died  September  19,  1881,  since  when  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Caldwell  have  resided  at  his  house. 

JOSEPH  COAD,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Coad,  was  born  in 
Enirland  in  1813,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  at  the  death  of 
his  father,  in  1841,  came  to  America,  located  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  worked  in  a  distillery  three  years,  then  went  to  Green\ille 
Falls,  Miami  County,  and  followed  the  same  business.  April  5,  1847, 
he  married  Mary  A.  Reisner,  l)orn  in  Augusta  County,  \a.,  in  1824, 
and  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Mary  C.  Reisner,  natives  of  Germany. 
In  1850,  Mr.  Coad  brought  his  family  to  this  townshij),  bought  forty 
acres  of  wild  land,  which  he  afterward  increased  to  110  acres,  and 
put  all  under  a  state  of  high  cultivation.  Mrs.  Coad  was  the  Hrstto 
bring  currants  and  other  small  fruits  to  this  township.  ]Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Coad  had  nine  children  born  to  them,  viz.:  Jane,  Enuna  (de- 
ceased), James  (deceased),  Adie,  George  (deceased),  Freddie,  Kattie 
(deceased),  George  and  Eli/a.  Both  parents  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

^^•ILLIAM  CONXEH,  S(m  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  (Smith)  C!on- 
ner,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  on  October  31,  1814.  His 
oduc!ition:d  advantages  Avere  limited.  In  1830,  he  moved  with  his 
father  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  where  he  attended  school  in  the  log 
Bchoolhouse  during  three  months  in  the  year,  and  working  the  rest 


CUOUlvEO    CUEEK    TOWNSHIP. 


531 


of  the  timo  on  the  farm,  until  \^'M,  when  he  commenced  life  for  him- 
self. On  March  2,  1S37,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth,  dau.ohter  of 
:Martin  Smith,  of  Shelby  Count3^  lie  continued  farming  until  1855, 
when  he  came  to  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  and  pur- 
chased some  partially  improved  wild  land  in  Section  (i.  In  1857, 
his  wife  died.  He  was  next  married,  on  March  2,  1858,  to  Rose  Ann 
llullVut  (a  widow  with  one  child,  Sylvia),  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
INIaria  I).  (Xeely)  Hedges,  of  Cumberland  County,  III.  He  is  still 
living  on  the  tarm  he  first  purchased.  His  farm  has  all  the  modern 
imi)ro\  ements.  Since  18:3(),  Mr.  Conner  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  His  father  died  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  on  July 
8,  1S41;  his  mother  in  the  same  county,  on  December  14,  1.S47.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  in  1.S37;  her  father  died  in 
July,  184(!,  in  Cum])erland  County,  III. 

GEORGE  S.  CONNER,  son  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  (Smith)  Con- 
ner, was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  on  January  17,  1825.  His 
parents  moved  to  Indiana  when  it  was  a  territory,  in  1812.  George 
attended  school  some  and  cleared  land,  until  he  was  fourteen  years 
old,  when  his  father  moved  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  he  farmed, 
and  where  his  father  died  in  1841,  and  his  mother  in  1848.  On  April 
2, 184!),  he  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Davee,  of  Shelby 
County,  Ind.  To  them  were  born  nine  children,  only  one  of  whom, 
Alice  M.,  is  living.  In  1855,  he  came  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  and 
purchased  120  acres  of  prairie  land,  and  improved  it.  His  wife 
dying  January  16,  187G,  on  October  26,  187(5,  he  married  for  his  sec- 
ond wife  Runiinta  A.,  daughter  of  William  AV.  Ballard,  of  Darke 
County,  Ohio.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them,  two  of  whom, 
Cora  E.,  and  Nellie  M.,  are  living.  Mr.  Conner  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  fine  farm  of  400  acres,  and  as  ,good  a  house  as  there  is  in  the 
township.  He  is  a  general  tanner,  and  deals  in  stock  quite  exten- 
sively. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  was  a  true  friend  to  the 
soldier  of  the  late  war.  His  uncle,  John  Conner,  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  his  grandfather  Smith,  a  minut^'-man,  was  killed  by 
the  Tories,  and  his  wife's  great-grandtather,  a  soldier  in  the  same 
war.  Mr.  Conner  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  are  very  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them. 

JONATHAN  COWGER,  son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Eye) 
Cowger,  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  Novem- 
ber 4,  1807.  About  1824  the  family  moved  to  Rush  County,  Ind., 
where,  in  Christmas  week  of  ls30,  our  subject  nnirried  Sarah  Birt, 
daus:hter  of  William  liirt.     He  farmed  for  a  time  in  Crawford  and 


532  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

^Nliirioii  counties,  Ind.,  then  came  to  this  county,  and  in  1853,  to 
this  township.  He  has  twice  been  elected  Highway  Commissioner, 
and  cast  his  lirst  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson,  lie  has  had  ])orn  to  him 
fourteen  children — ,John  I>.,  James  M.,  Mary  A.,  Elizabeth,  AVilliam 
T.,  Jonathan  B.,  an  infant  daughter  (deceased),  Milton  8.,  Martha 
(deceased),  Sarali  J.,  Charlotte  (deceased),  Phebe,  Henry  H.  and 
David  S.  (deceased).  Four  of  the  sons  served  during  the  late  war. 
Milton  S.  Cowger  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  ]March  9,  1844, 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  educated  in  Marion  County, 
Ind.,  until  the  family  came  to  this  county,  where  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  Twenty-First  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Atlanta,  Franklin,  Xash- 
ville,  and  in  all  the  other  eno-agements  of  his  reofiment.  February 
26,  18(54,  he  was  discharged,  but  re-enlisted  in  the  same  company  and 
was  appointed  Sergeant.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  January, 
186<5,  and  in  April,  1867,  he  married  Martha  J.  McDanicl,  who  bore 
him  three  children — Charles  PL  (deceased),  Anna  M.  and  Jonathan 
E.  (deceased).  October  9,  187.5,  Mrs.  Cowger  died;  October  14, 
1877,  Mr.  Cowger  married  Leonora  J.  Stebbins,  daughter  of  Dennis 
and  Jane  Stebbins,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  children — 
Milton  O.  and  Flora  J.  (deceased).  Mr.  C  was  elected  Town 
Clerk  in  1877,  and  April  12,  1878,  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Rose 
Hill,  which  position  he  still  holds.  In  1879,  he  was  made  General 
Agent  for  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R..  and  agent  for  the  Adams  and  Pacific 
Express  Companies  in  1880.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  OAVus  his  home  in  the  villaofe  and  a  tine  farm  in  the 
vicinity. 

JOHN  B.  COWGER,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Birt)  Cow- 
ger, was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  December  4,  LS.)],  moved  with 
his  father  to  ]\Iarion  County,  Ind.,  and  came  with  him  to  this  county. 
He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  was  educated  in  Indiana.  September 
28,  1856,  he  married  Nancy  A.  ]McDaniel,  daughter  of  Joim  and 
Margaret  (Freiks)  McDaniel.  He  has  four  living  children  born  to 
this  union — Mary  A.,  Jonathan  Sherman,  Ellen  fl.  and  Ollie  M. 
After  marriage  he  settled  on  his  farm  on  Section  32,  taught  school 
in  the  winter  of  1860,  and  in  June,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
Twenty-First  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  fought  at  Freder- 
ickstown,  Corinth,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Dalton,  Resaca  and 
Altoona  Pass.  On  account  of  nioht-blindness  and  nem-ale:i:^  from 
which  he  lost  the  siGfht  of  his  left  eve  and  almost  lost  that  of  the 
right,  he  was  discharged  in  September,  1864,  at  Springtield,  111.,  and 


CROOKED    CREEK    TOWNSHIP.  ")33 

returned  to  his  home,  but  is  able  to  tlo  very  little  ^\  ork.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  in  politics 
he  is  a  K('i)iil)li(an. 

JAMES  CUMMIXS  Avas  born  inEdi^ar  County,  111.,  Auirust  19, 
1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Elith  (Price)  Cummins,  born  in 
Harrison  County,  Ky.  They  came  to  Edijar  County,  III.,  in  al)out 
tiie  year  l.S3(),  and  entered  land  on  which  he  farmed;  but  in  LS38  he 
moved  to  Crooked  Creek  Townshij),  Jasper  County,  and  settled  on 
Section  34,  where  he  died  in  1844.  James  went  to  school  in  the 
primitive  log  schoolhouse,  in  the  winter,  and  worked  on  the  farm  in 
the  summer  seasons  of  his  early  youth.  On  the  old  farm,  on  Janu- 
ary 2,  1853,  he  married  Rebecca,  dauohter  of  Alexander  White,  of 
Cumberland  Count}',  III.  To  this  union  Avere  born  twelve  children; 
three  sets  of  twins  in  succession,  viz.:  Joseph  A.,  Georo-e 
J.,  Rosetta  13.  (deceased),  :Martha  R.,  Robert  R.,  Edith  S.,  Ada  A. 
and  Emma  L.  (twins),  John  F.  and  Francis  M.  (twins),  James  F. 
and  William  W.  (twins).  After  his  marria,2fe  he  located  on  a  fine 
farm  of  340  acres  (a  portion  of  the  old  home  farm),  in  Section  34, 
and  in  1878  built  a  fine  house  and  out-buildiuirs.  He  is  a  .o-eneral 
farmer,  and  deals  largely  in  stock.  ]\Ir.  Cummins  has  resided  in  this 
township  forty-five  years,  and  is  well  and  favorably  known  through- 
out the  county,  of  which  he  was  Supervisor  for  five  consecutive  terms. 
He  is  a  Master  Mason  of  the  XcAvton  Lodge,  No.  216;  takes  a  deep 
interest  in  the  church  and  Sabbath-school  and  is  at  the  present  actively 
engaged  in  building  a  church,  the  means  for  which  Ijcing  mostly 
furnished  by  him.  His  Avife  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church;  he  attends.  Mr.  C.'s  good  old  mother  died  on  September 
28,  1882. 

JOHN  CUMMINS,  son  of  Daniel  and  Dolly  (Johnson)  Cum- 
mins, AA^as  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1807.  He  worked  on  the  home 
farm  until  fourteen  years  old,  Avhen  his  father  died.  He  then 
managed  the  place  for  his  mother.  In  1827  he  married  Mary 
Morgan,  Avho  bore  him  two  children — Sidney  and  Cenia.  In 
1830  he  moved  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  Avhere  his  Avife  died 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  About  1832  he 
married  Eliza  Kil)ler,  Avho  became  the  mother  of  elcA^en  children — 
Jacob,  William  Daniel,  Sarah  L.  (deceased),  John  F.,  Eva  M.,  Reu- 
ben (Avho,  Avith  one  of  his  chihlren,  was  killed  by  lightning  while 
returning  home  from  the  harvest  field  in  1883),  Mary  E.,  SiLsau, 
Emma,  Charles  and  Richard  W.  William  Daniel  Avas  born  in  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  November  ID,  1837,  and  Avas  brought  to  this  county 


534  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

by  his  father  in  183.S.  In  June,  18o3,  he  married'Elizabeth  Strong, 
who  l)ore  him  four  cliihlren,  nil  now  doceased.  Mr.  C.  was  legally 
separated  from  his  wife,  and  in  IbGO  married  Sarah  J.  McGahan, 
who  has  l)orne  one  child,  now  dead.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
Mr.  C.  enlisted  in  the  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
but  soon  after  going  to  the  front  was  taken  ill  and  was  discharged. 
He  has  served  as  Constable  twelve  years  and  has  been  a  School 
Director.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  a  member  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  now  a  clerk  in  a  general 
store,  and  also  keeps  the  only  house  of  public  entertainment  in  the 
village  of  Rose  Hill.  Mrs.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church. 

JOHN  F.  CUMMIXS,  the  third  son  of  John  and  Eliza  Cum- 
mins, Avas  born  in  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  Count}^  111., 
jNIarcli,  11,  1840,  attended  the  Christman  school  in  winter,  and  when 
but  a  mere  youth  was  employed  in  breaking  prairie,  driving  four 
yoke  of  oxen.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  went  to  Coles  County  to 
farm.  In  August,  18(j2,  he  enlisted  in  Coinpau}^  E,  Xinety-Seventh 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  ])ut,  as  he  was  quite  delicate,  was  unable 
to  bear  the  fatiijues  of  a  soldier's  life,  and  was  discharsfed  from  the 
hospital  at  ^Memphis  after  a  short  service.  In  August,  18()3,  he 
married  Henrietta  A.  Fawcett,  daughter  of  John  II.  Fawcett,  an 
early  settler  of  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  down  to  farming  in 
Crooked  Creek.  To  his  union  have  been  born  seven  children — Mary 
A.,  William  M.  (deceased),  Emery  V.,  Claibourne  R.,  Frank  M., 
John  B.  (deceased)  and  Eva  E.  (deceased).  In  1880  he  served  as 
Census  Enumerator  for  this  toAvnship,  and  he  is  now  the  special 
agent  for  the  Rockford  (III.)  Fire  Insurance  Co.  He  resides  upon 
his  farm  of  seventy  acres,  but  his  health  is  too  poor  to  admit  of  his 
performing  farm  labor.  He  and  his  family  are  all  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  of  Avhich  he  has  been  stcAvard,  class 
leader,  Sunday-school  superintendent  and  trustee. 

CAPT.  ROBERT  S.  CUMMIXS  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Febru 
ary  10,  li^45,  and  is  the  son  of  Moses  and  Rebecca  A.  (Scott)  Cum- 
mins, also  natives  of  Kentucky.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war.  In  18(32  he  entered  Company 
I,  Ninth  Kentucky  Volunteer  Intantry,  Confederate  States  of 
America,  and  was  commissioned  Cai)tain.  At  the  battle  of  Ilarts- 
ville,  Tenn.,  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  thigh  and  side,  and  at 
Chickamauga  was  badly  injured  in  the  head  and  neck.  After  his 
recovery  he  rejoined  his  command,  remained  with  it  until  Johnston's 


CROOKED   CKEEK    TOWNSHIP.  535 

suiTOiulor,  then  came  to  Illinois,  wliere,  December  31,  18G.'),  he  mar- 
ried Lena  Cnnnnins,  dauirhter  of  John  Cummins,  of  P^dpir  County, 
lie  then  returned  to  his  old  Kentucky  home,  and  in  lb7G  came  back 
to  Edu:ar  County.  Three  yeai-s  later  he  settled  on  Sections  28  and 
2it,  this  township,  on  a  fine  farm  of  140  acres.  He  was  elected 
Township  Collector  for  1882,  is  a  Master  Mason  of  Stratton  Lod£»-e 
No.  408,  and  a  Democrat.  He  and  wife  are  mcml)ers  of  the  I}a[)tist 
Church,  and  parents  of  four  children — John  \\'.,  Dora  L.,  Lillie  M. 
and  ]Moses  S- 

JAMES  II.  DAVISOX  was  born  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio, 
December  15,  1806,  and  is  the  son  of  Iiol)ert  and  Florence  (Hamil- 
ton) Davison.  Robert  Divison  was  born  in  Ireland,  but  was  broui^ht 
to  America  when  only  six  months  old,  Avas  reared  in  Pennsylvania 
and  there  married  Miss  F.  Hamilton,  a  native  of  that  State.  James 
H.  Davison  was  educated  in  the  old  fashioned  log  schoolhouse,  and 
worked  on  the  home  farm  until  September  20,  1827,  when  he  married 
Elizal)eth  Davison,  daughter  of  John  and  Isabel  (Hamilton)  Davison. 
He  learned  coopering,  and  worked  at  that  trade  in  and  near  ]Milford, 
Ohio,  until  184.");  then  moved  to  Indiana,  Avhere  he  farmed  until 
1850;  then  sold  out  and  came  to  this  township  where  he  purchased 
IGO  acres  in  Section  1,  wdiere  he  carries  on  general  farming  and 
raises  some  stock.  He  became  the  father  of  eleven  children,  of 
whom  five  are  living — Isabel,  Robert  H.,  James  F.,  John  and  Hester 
L.  ]\Ir.  Davison  and  family  are  all  members  of  the  Methodist 
E[)iscopal  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  His  son, 
Rol)ert  H.  Davison,  was  a  soldier  in  Coni[)any  E,  Ninety-Seventh 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  after  taking  part  in  all  the  battles 
of  his  regiment  was  honoral)ly  discharged  in  July,  18(55.  He  is  now 
at  the  home  of  his  parents,  and  is  acting  as  general  agent,  teacher 
and  examiner  for  Prof.  G.  S.  Rice's  Lightning  International  Music 
Teaching  S3'stem,  with  a  branch  ottice  at  Hidalgo. 

DR.  JAMES  F.  DAVISON,  son  of  James  H.  Davison,  was  born 
in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  July  12,  1840,  attended  the  count}^  school 
and  after  comin<T:  to  Illinois,  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  ei<rhteen 
years  old.  He  then  read  medicine  with  Dr.  F.  Tevis,  of  Lawrence 
County,  111.  He  also  taught  school  in  Cumberland  County,  at  the 
same  time  keeping  up  his  studies  with  Dr.  T.  At  twenty-two,  he 
commenced  practice,  having  graduated  from  the  Kansas  Eclectic  Med- 
ical Examining  Board,  imder  Surgeon-General  Winans,  and  beiuiif 
endorsed  l)y  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Health.  October  i;},  18()1,  he 
married  Helen  M.  Tevis,  daughter  of  Dr.  Fletcher  and  Lucy  S.  (Day) 


536  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY. 

Tevis,  and  to  his  union  were  born  ciirlit  children — Alice  F.,  Charles 
E.,  Lillic  May,  John  F.,  Albert,  Robert  C,  Francis  M.  and  George 
N.  The  doctor  farms  forty  acres  in  this  township,  on  Section  1, 
and  has  an  extensive  practice  in  his  profession. 

JOHN  DAVISON,  son  of  James  H.  Davison,  was  born  in  Cler- 
mont County,  Ohio,  February  3,  1842;  moved  with  his  father's  fam- 
ily to  Indiana,  and  to  this  township  in  1850-  He  was  here  reared 
until  about  seventeen,  when  he  went  to  Mattoon,  where  he  worked  in 
a  cooper  shop.  In  August,  18(J2,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E.,  Ninety- 
Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  took  part  in  tlie  following 
battles:  Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  Port  Gil)son,  Chanii)ion 
Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  and  Fort 
Blakely,  and  was  stationed  at  different  posts  until  his  discharge 
July  29,  18(55.  On  his  return,  he  went  to  cultivating  his  fiirm  of  one 
hundred  acres,  on  Section  1,  this  township,  October  3,  1871,  he  mar- 
ried Beersheba  Bailey,  daughter  of  James  and  Emily  (Bartlett)  Bailey, 
of  Madison  County,  Ind.  Two  children  were  born  to  their  union — 
Florinda  (deceased)  and  Alfarata.  Mr.  Davison  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  is  a  member  of  Rose  Hill  Post,  No.  158,  G.  A.  R.,  and  his 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

HENRY  H.  ELDER  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  Februaiy 
27,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Mar}'  (Little)  Elder,  natives 
respectively  of  Tennessee  and  Long  Island,  N.  Y.  These  parents 
were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Rush  (bounty,  and  the  patent  to  the 
land  they  there  entered,  bears  the  signature  of  President  Jackson. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  Henry  H.  Elder  moved  to  Shell)y  County, 
Ind.,  became  a  barber,  married  JSIary  E.  Poss,  a  widow  with  one  child 
— Emma,  and  had  born  to  him  two  children — Harry  A.  and  Katie  J. 
He  resided  in  Shelby  County  about  tAvelve  years,  then  in  EfHnghani 
about  a  year,  and  then  came  to  Rose  Hill,  where  he  built  the  first 
dwelling  ever  erected  in  the  village,  and  for  a  time  worked  in  the  sfjive 
factory.  In  1883,  he  and  Silas  Little  started  the  only  cabinet  and 
furniture  store  in  Rose  Hill.  Mr.  Elder  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O- 
F.,  and  of  the  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

DAVID  HAMMER  (deceased)  was  the  son  of  F.  J.  llanuncr, 
and  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  Januarj^  23,  1822.  In  1838, 
he  came  to  this  township  with  his  father,  who  was  a  millwright,  and 
put  up  the  first  mill  built  in  Crooked  Creek.  At  this  mill  and  on 
the  farm,  our  sul)jcct  was  emi)loyed  until  May  11, 1845,  when  he  mar- 
ried Rebecca  J.,  daughter  of  David  and  Adalinc  (Cooper)  Fawcett, 


i 


(f 


CROOKED    rilKKK    TOWNSIIM'.  537 

of  Vir<iini:i.  Ilor  father  joined  the  conference  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  in  IH,}?,  was  a  traveling  preacher,  and  died,  October  4,  1845. 
Her  mother  died  in  Indiana,  December  5,  183(5.  After  liis  marriage, 
David  Ilannner  settled  in  this  township  on  a  farm.  lie  had  five  chil- 
dren l)()rn  to  him,  viz.:  Albert,  Mary  (deceased),  John  C.,  Enmia, 
(deceased)  and  Eva,  and  departed  this  life,  September  25,  1859,  leav- 
ing his  family  well  provided  for.  His  widow  was  married,  October 
3, 1872,  to  Kev.  Ephraim  Shuey.a  widower  with  seven  children — James 
F.,  Louisa  A.,  (now  deceased)  Ephraim  E.,  John  R.,  (deceased)  Mar- 
tha A.,  William  H.  and  A\'alton  S.  Mr.  8huey  was  born  in  Virginia, 
January  8,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Funkhouser) 
Shuey.  John  Shuey  died  in  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  September  29,  1853, 
a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  since  boyhood. 
His  widow,  a  member  of  the  same  church  for  o\er  fiftv  years, 
died  January  31,  186G.  E[)hraim  Shuey  united  Avith  the  United 
Brethren  Church  when  sixteen  years  old,  and  began  to  preach  while 
living  in  Vigo  County.  In  1848,  he  moved  to  Clark  County,  111.,  and 
in  1852,  to  Cumberland  Comity,  where  his  wife  died  September  16, 
1871,  and  after  his  marriage  to  ]\Irs.  Hammer,  settled  on  her  fine  farm 
on  Section  28,  this  towniship.  His  sons,  James  F.  and  Ephraim  E., 
were  members  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  A^olun- 
teer  Infantry.  Mr.  Shuey  continues  to  preach,  and  he  is  also  a  skillful 
farmer. 

WILLIAM  W.  HAYS  was  born  March  23,  1833,  in  Logan 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Rebecca  J.  (Smith)  Hays, 
natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and  early  settlers 
of  Logan  County.  In  the  fall  of  1840,  the  family  came  to  this  town- 
ship, bought  land,  and  AVilliam  was  set  to  work  breaking  up  sod 
with  a  wooden  m(>ld-bonrd  plow.  He  was  educated  in  a  log  school- 
house,  the  first  built  in  the  townshi}),  and  reared  on  the  farm.  In 
April,  181)5,  he  married  Sarah  Kellar,  daughtci- of  David  Kellar,  Avho 
bore  him  two  children — George  E.  and  John  W.,  and  died  in  18(!8. 
In  March,  1871,  he  married  Amanda  Helen,  a  wido-w  with  one  child 
—Charles  F.  She  died  in  A[)ril,  1877,  and  February  20, 1 879,  he  mar- 
ried Maliala  J.  Gunning,  a  widow  with  one  child — Lola  M.  To  this 
last  marriage  have  been  born  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  liv- 
ing— Elmer  and  Ezra  E.  Mr.  Hays  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as 
School  Director,  Trustee,  Township  Treasurer,  Collector,  and  in  1880, 
was  again  elected  School  Trustee. 

ELIJAH  R.  HEATH  was  born  in  Hunterdon  County,  N.  J., 
March  12,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  George  D.  and  Mary  (Heath)  Heath, 


538  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPER  COUNTY: 

also  natives  of  Hunterdon  Count}'.  Elijah  R.  Heath  attended  school 
nine  months  in  the  year,  nntil  eighteen,  studied  a  year  at  the  univer- 
sity at  Lewisburirh,  Penn.,  taught  school  about  a  year  in  New  Jer 
sey,  and  in  185"),  moved  to  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
tauo-ht  tior  twelve  years.  April  3,  18(50,  he  married  Louisa  W.  Bal- 
lard, dauirhter  of  William  W.  Ballard,  of  Ithaca,  Ohio.  Two  chil- 
dren. Belle  and  Lillie,  have  been  born  to  their  union.  In  18G7,  Mr. 
Heath  moved  to  Indiana;  was  in  aflouring-mill  until  1S()9,  then  came 
to  this  township  and  farmed  on  land  he  had  previously  purchased  in 
Section  4,  sold,  and  purchased  a  form  in  Cumberland  County,  on 
which  he  lived  eleven  years,  and  then  rented  out  and  came  to  Hidalgo, 
where  he  is  noAV  keeping  a  general  store.  He  is  station  agent  for 
the  p.,  D.  &  E.  R.  R.,  agent  for  the  Adams  and  Pacific  Express  Com- 
panies, buys  and  ships  grain,  and  has  handled  as  many  as  thirty-live 
wagon  loads  of  wheat  in  one  day.  He  is  a  ]\Iason,  an  Odd  Fellow,  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  a  School  Trustee.  His  grandfather  Rich- 
ard Heath,  was  a  private,  his  grand-uncle,  John  Heath,  a  Capfaiin,  and 
his  o-reat  o-rand-nncle,  AVilliam  Heath,  a  Brio-adier-General  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

WILLI A^^l  HUNT,  son  of  Stephanins  and  Elizabeth  ( Coffin )i 
Hunt,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  on  March  4,  18 1^!.  He 
received  a  common  school  educati(m  in  a  pioneer  schoolhouse,  Avorked 
on  a  farm  at  intervals,  and  in  his  father's  blacksmith  and  carpenter 
shoi),  nntil  March  13,  1836,  when  he  was  married  to  ^Margaret,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Tebetha  (Morgan)  Timmons,  They  have  had  teu 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz.;  Nathan  S.,  Uriah  E.,  ]\Iary 
D.,  and  Sarah  A.  In  1838,  he,  with  his  father,  and  all  of  the  Hunt 
family,  the  Hutsons,  the  Cummins,  the  Vannattiis,  the  Ilannners,  and 
others,  formed  a  colony,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Crooked  Creek 
Township.  They  came  here  on  Septcml)er  21,  1838,  entered  and 
cleared  land,  and  commenced  the  life  of  pioneer  farmers  of  the  then 
far  West.  Our  subject,  after  enduring  all  the  trials,  and  hardships, 
and  privations  of  a  pioneer  life,  until,  on  Se[)tembor  2(5,  1852,  he  died, 
very  highly  esteemed  by  all.  He  lost  three'sons  iu  the  Union  Army, 
viz.:  Francis,  of  Company  G,  Fifty-Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  deceased; 
Albert,  died  from  disease  contracted  in  the  army,  of  Company  G, 
Forty-Ninth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  James,  a  soldier  in  the  regular 
army,  died  in  Texas.  ]\Ii-.  Hunt  left  about  400  acres  of  good  farm 
land  to  his  widow,  who  is  still  living  on  the  old  home  farm.  Her 
granddaughter,  Luzena  Hunt,  has  the  charge  and  management  of  the  ^ 
house  for  the  ffood  old  lady  in  her  declining  years.  V  I  r. 


CROOKED  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  539 

ELinU  HUTSON,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Hunt)  Hutson, 
was  born  Dv^ceinbar  31,  1834,  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  the  native 
county  of  his  parents.  In  the  fall  of  1838,  the  family  came  to  this 
county,  and  here  Elihu  Ilutson  was  reared  to  farming.  June  19, 
185«),  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Kellar,  and  had  born 
to  him  five  children— Sarah  J.  (deceased),  John  W.,  Lydia  A.,  Will- 
iam D.  and  Andrew  T.  In  1861,  ]\Ir.  Hutson  moved  to  Coles  County, 
III.,  farmed  there  until  1867,  then  returned  to  this  township,  and 
here  his  wife  died  October  11,  1878,  a  member  of  the  New  Light 
Church.  October  12,  1879,  he  married  Sarah  Carr,  daughter  of  E. 
Brooks  and  a  widow  with  four  children — John  O.,  Reuben  E.,  Laura 
M.  and  Luella.  To  this  last  marriage  have  been  born  two  children 
— Anna  M.  and  Sarah  O.  Mr.  Hutson's  father  was  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Crooked  Creek,  and  w^as  for  several  years  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace.  He  died  June  7,  1883;  his  wife  died  February  15,  1838. 
The  father  had  been  a  member  of  the  New  Light  Church  for  over 
fifty  years. 

OLIVER  R.  JACKSON  is  a   native  of  Hardin  County,  Ky., 
was  born  January  23,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Price) 
Jackson.     He  attended  the  pioneer  schools  of  the  time,  and  in  1839 
moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  and  after- 
ward moved  to  Washington,  Ind.,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
plasterer.     Subsequently,  he  married  Lucinda  Elswae,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 13,  1851,  having  borne  one  child,  now  deceased.     Mr.  Jack- 
son thereafter  returned  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  for  a  livelihood,  and  February  16,  1855,  wedded  Lovina 
Stamm,  which  marriage  produced  ten   children,  of  which  number 
five  are  living— Alvin  L.,  Rosa  B.,  Franklin,  Lyman  E.  and  Stephen. 
In  1857,  Mr.  Jackson  removed  to  Saint  Marie  Township.  Jasper 
County,  and  later,  in  1869,  to   Crooked  Creek  Township,  Avhere  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber  land  and  cleared  the  same,  which 
is  now  in  good  cultivation.     He  is  engaged  in  general   farming  and 
working  at  his  trade.     Mr.  Jackson  is  a  valuable  and  esteemed  citi- 
zen, and  Mrs.  Jackson   is  a  member  of   the  Methodist   Episcopal 
Church. 

JUDGE  JAMP:S  P:.  JxVMES  (deceased),  the  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (McMuUen)  James,  was  born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind., 
in  June,  1816.  His  parents  were  poor  but  highly  respectable,  and 
belonged  to  the  society  known  as  Shakers.  At  the  age  of  eleven  he 
lost  his  father;  his  mother  then  withdrew  from  the  Shaker  society, 
and  with  her  children  resided  on  a  farm  until  her  death.    Mr.  James 

33 


040  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 


then  went  to  Edsriir  County,  111.,  where,  October  21,  1<^38,  he  married 
Jane,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizalieth  Duck,  of  Kentucky.  In 
1839,  he  entered  forty  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  and  his  was 
the  fifth  family  to  settle  here.  He  put  up  a  cabin,  and,  as  it  had 
taken  all  his  money  to  pay  for  his  land,  he  was  for  some  time  with- 
out chairs  or  table,  but  he  was  a  man  of  energy  and  resources,  and 
soon  furnished  his  cabin  with  furniture  of  his  own  manufacture.  lie 
added  to  his  farm  from  time  to  time,  and  could  soon  count  his  acrea 
by  the  hundred,  and  built  himself  as  comfortable  a  tarm-house  as 
existed  in  those  early  days.  He  had  born  to  him  thirteen  children, 
of  whom  eight  are  still  living,  viz.:  AVilliam  H.,  Sarah  P.,  Lovisa 
A.,  Augustus,  Mary,  Gilbert,  Laura  and  Alonzo  C  One  son,  Cyrus, 
was  a  member  of  the  Ninety-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Vicksburg,  and  afterward  died.  In  184i),  ^Slv.  James 
was  elected  Associate  Judge  of  Jasper  Comity,  and  held  otfice  most  I 
of  the  time  until  his  death.  He  was  County  Sheriff  from  185(i  until  p 
1858;  in  18G4,  he  was  elected  Probate  Judge  for  four  years,  and  was 
twice  re-elected.  He  was  taken  ill  in  18()9,  and  lingered  until  August 
29,  1872,  when  he  expired,  highly  respected  and  dearly  beloved  by 
all.  He  gave  to  each  of  his  children  a  farm,  and  left  to  his  widow 
the  homestead  of  300  acres,  which  is  being  superintended  by  her 
son,  Alonzo  C. 

JOHN  F.  KIBLER,  son  of  Reuben  and  Susan  (Cnnnnins)  Kil)- 
ler,  was  born  in  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  III.  on 
December  29,  1847.  In  his  early  youth,  he  attended  the  conmion 
schools  and  worked  on  a  farm.  On  November  (i,  1.S70,  he  married 
Isadora,  daughter  of  Reulien  and  Mary  (Creamer)  Carr,  who  was 
born  in  Crooked  Creek  TowMiship  on  October  0,  18r)2.  They  have 
had  six  children,  viz.:  Eda  Rozilla,  born  November  1."),  I<s71  (now 
in  her  twelfth  year,  and  weighs  182  pounds);  Mary  C,  born  April  19, 
1873;  Lydia  S.,  November  10,  1874;  John  F.,  May  18,  187():  Reuben 
A.,  January  7,  1878,  and  Laura  M.,  February  22,  18.S1.  After  his 
marriage  he  settled  on  eighty  acres  in  Section  15,  Crooked  Creek 
Township,  and  now  owns  282,  the  most  of  which  being  under  cidti- 
vation.  He  occupies  a  very  fine  two-story  frame  house,  which  is 
considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  townshij).  Besides  farming,  he 
deals  largely  in  stock.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren,  his 
wife  of  the^'^ew  Light  Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLI A:M  T.  KIBLER,  brother  of  John  F.,  was  born  in 
Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  111.,  on  June  20, 1850-  Ho 
received  his  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  worked  on  a  farm 


CROOKEO    CRKEK    TOWNSHIP.  541 


fliiriiifr  liis.voiitl).  Oil  Dccoinhor  20,  1S77.  he  married  Nancy,  flau£rhtor 
of  Daniol  Davis,  of  Lawrence  Connty,  111.  She  was  horn  on  Jan- 
uary ;■),  18:)7,  and  .she  lias  borne  her  lHisl)and  two  children,  viz.:  Will- 
iam J.,  horn  Octoher  s,  1,S7.S,  and  Edward  M.,  horn  Xovemher  26, 
18S1.  In  Section  1(1  he  has  a  irood  farm  of  KJo  acres,  all  well  im- 
proved, and  occupies  a  fine  house.  Besides  being  a  general  farmer, 
he  deals  largely  in  cattle.  The  Ki biers  are  descendants  of  some  of 
the  first  families  that  settled  in  this  county,  and  are  well  liked  and 
highly  esteemed  by  all  their  accjuaintances.  William  is  a  Democrat 
politically.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren Chui\-h,  he  being  a  steward  of  the  same.  He  gives  with  a  lib- 
eral hand  to  all  charitaljle  and  benevolent  enterprises. 

HARRISON  KILBURN  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  C  and  Pris- 
cilla  (Farr)  Kil burn,  the  father  born  in  Kentucky,  the  mother  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  an  early  settlei-  in  Vio-o 
County,  Ind.,  and  helped  to  build  the  first  house  ever  erected  in  the 
town  of  Terrc  Haute,  Ind.  Harrison  was  born  on  December  6,  1840, 
and  went  to  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  year  1851,  when 
his  father  moved  to  Jasper  County,  III,  and  engaged  in  farming. 
On  August  2,  1S(>1,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty- 
Eighth  Illinois  Infantry.  Ho  participated  in  the  battles  of  Freder- 
icktown.  Mo.,  Corinth,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Knob  Gap,  and 
others.  On  October  -I'l,  18()8,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Signal  Corps. 
He  was  then  at  the  battles  of  Chickainauga,  Missionary  Ridae,  Ken- 
esaw  Mountain,  Rocky  Face,  Atlanta,  and  had  the  honor  of  earryino- 
the  flag  of  truce  demanding  the  surrender  of  Charleston;  was  also 
at  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington,  D.  C  He  wns  discharged  at 
Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  on  September  7,  1865.  AYhile  at  home,  on  May  2, 
1864,  he  was  married  to  Nancy  McCormick,  daughter  of  p]lijali  Mc- 
Cormick,  of  Jasper  County,  111.  One  child  has  been  born  to  them, 
viz.:  Benjamin  C  (deceased).  After  his  discharge  he  settled  in 
Clark  County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1881,  when  he 
came  to  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  purchased  a  home 
in  the  town  of  Rose  Hill,  where  he  is  now  living,  being  engao-ed  in 
the  fruit  tree  business.  Mr.  Kilburn  has  been  Township  Collector 
and  Assessor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

DR.  WILLIA:M  M.  king  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ind., 
December  11,  1858,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Bruce) 
King,  also  natives  of  Indiana.  He  attended  a  subscription  school 
three  months  in  the  year  and   worked  on  the  home  farm  until  1868, 


542  BIOGUAPHIGAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

when  the  family  came  to  this  comity.  He  attended  the  Normal 
School  at  Newton,  and  at  the  aire  of  twenty  read  medicine  with  Dr. 
William  Q.  Denman,  studyinir  for  thirteen  months,  and  then  entered 
the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  at  Cincinnati,  studied  three  terms,  and 
on  his  graduating  stood  at  91.9  per  cent.  He  located  at  Rose  Hill, 
and  now  has  an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice.  April  16, 1882,  he 
married  Mary  Hunt,  daughter  of  Amaziah  and  Elizabeth  (Gates) 
Hunt.  He  has  permanently  settled  in  Rose  Hill,  where  he  has  pur- 
chased a  home. 

ANDREW  J.  LAKE,  son  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (Irvin)  Lake^ 
was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  on  January  20,  183(5,  and  during 
about  three  months  in  each  year  of  his  youth  he  attended  school, 
being  the  remainder  of  the  time  employed  on  a  farm.  When  a 
young  man,  and  while  on  a  visit  to  Indiana,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  Thirtieth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  late 
war.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Stone  River^ 
Murfreesbor©,  Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Mission  Ridge,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  At  the 
latter  place  he  was  discharged  in  January,  1866,  when  he  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  came  to  Jasper  County, 
111.,  and  opened  a  general  merchandise  store,  in  the  town  of  Harris- 
burg,  Crooked  Creek  Township.  On  September  30,  1867,  he  mar- 
ried Lucinda,  the  widowed  daughter  of  William  Stroble.  Two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them,  viz.:  Rebecca  and  Hattie  E.  In  1871, 
he  sold  his  store  and  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres  in  Section  9, 
where  he  is  now  living,  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Over  his  right  eye  he  has  a  scar,  from  a  slight 
wound  he  received  while  in  the  arra}^ 

JOHN  T.  LAND,  son  of  William  H.  and  Jance  C.  (Warren) 
Land,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  January  15,  1832,  and  when  four  years 
of  age  was  taken  by  his  father  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
attended  school  and  helped  clear  away  the  heavy  timber  until  1850, 
when  his  father  sold  the  farm  and  entered  land  in  this  township. 
September  29,  1853,  he  married  Nancy  A.,  daughter  of  John  and 
S;irah  (Admire)  Ellis,  and  to  their  union  have  been  born  eight  chil- 
(Ij-oii — six  now  living:  Francis  M.,  Sarah  J.,  Abraham  J.,  Jennie  B., 
William  F.  and  Alfretta.  After  his  marriage  he  lived  on  his  fath- 
er's farm  until  1855,  when  he  moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  afterward  elected  for  four  yeai*s,^ 
l)ut  at  the  l)reaking  out  of  the  war  resigned  and   returned  to  this 


ci:o()Ki:i)  ciiKKK  TowNsiiir.  543 

county,  whore  he  enlisted  in  Auofust.  l-sd^,  in  Company  E,  Ninety- 
Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  IIo  was  in  l)attlo  at  Vicks- 
buro-,  Arkansas  Post,  Biir  lilack  Rivorand  Champion  Hills.  In  18()3 
he  was  transferred  to  Comi)any  E,  Ninth  United  States  Invalid 
Corps,  and  was  mustered  out  June  27,  18t)5.  Ho  hoard  Lincoln 
make  his  last  i)ul)lio  speech  and  was  in  Washington  when  he  was 
assassinated.  In  the  sprino-  of  1877  ho  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Pejico,  and  was  re-elected  in  KS81.  Hv  is  a  Democrat,  a  momhor  of 
Rose  Hill  Pobt,  No.  158,  G.  A.  R.,  and  ho  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Universalist  Church. 

JOHN  W.  LEE,  son  of  Abbott  and  Belinda  (Purcell)  Lee,  was 
born  in  Crooked  Creek  Township,  May  6,  1838.  Abbott  Lee  was 
born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  came  to  Illinois  m  1818,  located  in 
Lawrence  County,  where  ho  was  married,  and  soon  after  came  to 
this  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  John  W.  Lee  attended  school 
and  assisted  on  the  home  farm  until  June,  1851,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  K,  Twenty-Firstlllinois  Volunteer  Infantrv.  He  was  at  the 
fight  at  Perryville,  and  at  Stone  River,  in  December,  18()2,  was 
wounded  in  the  right  leg,  in  consequence  of  which  he  received  his  dis- 
charge at  Louisville  in  May,  18(53.  In  October,  18(54,  ho  married  Alice 
Stout,  daughter  of  James  Stout,  of  this  couut3^  Seven  children  have 
been  born  to  him— Louisa,  Laura,  Perry,  John  W.,  Albert,  Martha  J. 
and  an  infant  girl  not  named.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Lee, 
settled  on  a  farm  of  180  acres,  on  Section  30,  this  township:  this  he 
has  increased  to  200  acres,  and  furnished  Avith  fine  improvements. 
He  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  i)olitics 
is  a  Democrat.  His  mother-  died  a))out  the  year  1842,  and  his  father 
December  1,'),  18(53. 

WILLIAM  H.  McCOMAS  was  born  January  3,  1842,  and  is 
the  son  of  Henry  C.  and  Mary  (Kibler)  McComas,  who  wore  born  in 
Virginia,  were  married  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  who  came  to  this 
township  in  1837,  entered  land  in  Section  li),  and  there  resided  until 
their  respective  deaths  in  18.')5  and  1873.  A\'illiani  II.  :\IcComas  was 
■educated  at  a  subscri[)tion  school  taught  in  a  log  house,  and  was 
reared  a  farmer,  having  begun  at  the  age  of  six.  May  30,  18(J9,  he 
married  Eliza  E.  Carr,  born  in  Ohio,  February  G,  1844,  and  the 
daughter  of  Reuben  and  .Mary  (Ch-eamer)  Carr,  formerly  of  Vir- 
ginia but  latterly  of  Ohio.  Mr.  McComas  began  housekeoi)ing  in  a 
log  house  on  part  of  his  father's  farm,  but  in  1875,  put  up  a  comforta- 
ble frame  dwelling.  He  owns  108  acres  of  the  old  homestea^l  and 
<loes  general  farming  and  deals  in  cattle.     His  children  are  three  in 


/)44  BIOGIJAI'JIH  AL    SKKTCHES — JASPEH    COUNTY: 

number — Luira  A..  M:iiy  A.  and  William  E.  In  IM.si,  Mr.  McCo- 
mas  was  elected  school  trustee  by  tiie  Republicans.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  Methodist  Episco[)al  Church;  his  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mrs.  McComas'  father  died 
in  1871,  and  her  mother  in  l'S75 — both  chiwch  members. 

THOMAS  McDANIEL  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind., 
January],  IfOH,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Freiks) 
McDaniel,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  early  settlers  in  the  county 
named  above.  Thomas  McDaniel  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1852 
came  to  this  county.  August  80,  1856,  he  nnirried  Alice  Z.  Robin- 
son, daughter  of  William  C- and  Frances  (Walton)  Rol)inson.  and 
to  Ills  marriage  were  born  six  children — Jeremy  E.,  Frances  L., 
Henry,  Zenetta  (deceased),  Minnie  A.  and  an  infimt  boy,  deceased. 
Mr.  McDaniel  soon  after  marriage  purchased  a  farm  of  nearly  200 
acres,  which  he  worked  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  ('hickamauga,  Resaca, 
Atlanta,  Nashville  and  all  others  in  which  his  regiment  was 
enijaw-ed,  and  served  until  August,  1864,  when  he  resumed  farming;. 
Mr.  McD.  lost  his  mother  February  11,  1856,  and  his  father  died 
the  day  Grant  was  elected  President,  in  1868;  Mrs.  McD.'s  father 
was  accidentally  killed  in  October,  1854,  by  a  wagon  upsetting  and 
throwing  a  saw-log  u])on  him,  and  her  mother  died  in  1878. 

JOHN  M.  MELl^ON,  son  of  Thonuis  C.  and  Susannah  (Birt) 
Melton,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  on  August  6.  18o(;.  He  went 
to  school  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  and  Avorkcd  on  a  farm  until  the  year 
1851,  when  he  came  with  his  father  to  Crooked  Creek  Township, 
Jasper  County,  111.,  and  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  attended 
school,  as  before,  until  1858,  when  his  father  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
Jasper  County,  when  he  moved  with  his  father  to  Newton,  the  county- 
seat.  On  December  1,  1851),  he  was  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Judge  James  E.  and  Jane  (Duck)  James.  Six  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living,  were  bornto'them,  viz.:  Ora  J.,  Cyrus  F.,  Susan  L.,  Ira 
H.  and  Nona  E.  Soon  after  his  marriao-e  he  settled  in  Crooked 
Creek  Township,  buying  120  acres  of  land,  and  improving  the  same. 
He  now  owns  160  acres  of  well  improved  land,  with  a  tine  house. 
Besides  being  a  general  farmer,  he  raises  some  stock.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  .several  ofiices  of  trust,  vi/.:  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  Township  Assessor,  Collector,  and  is  now  the  Township 
Treasurer.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 


I 


CROOKEO  CKEKK  TOWNSHIP.  545 

KOBKin^  \y.  MOORE  WMsboni  in  Kiisli  County,  Ind.,  March 
12,  1854,  and  is  the  .son  of  Elijah  'I\  and  Mary  E.  Moore,  natives 
resiiectively  of  Kentucky  and  Maryland,  and  early  settlers  in 
Indiana.  The  parents  came  to  this  township  when  Robert  was  but 
eiirht(M'u  months  old,  and  the  father  started  a  _<reneral  store  in  Plain- 
field.  Robert  attended  school  until  about  fourteen,  then  learned 
harness  makin<>',  and  then  \vork(?d  at  farmin*>-  imtil  he  had  saved 
money  enough  to  farm  on  his  own  account.  April  5,  1872,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  C.,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Everman,  of  Cumberland  County, 
111.,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have  been  born,  viz.:  Lawrence 
(deceased),  twin  boys  (deceased),  Daisy,  Elijah  and  Charles  E.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-one  he  lost  his  father,  and  the  support  of  his 
mother  then  devolved  upon  him.  The  father  had  served  as  post- 
-master  at  Rost^  Hill,  and  had  been  twice  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
in  which  office  he  died.  In  1877,  our  subject  purchased  a  blacksmith 
and  wagon  shop  in  Rose  Hill,  which  he  still  continues  to  conduct,  it 
being  the  only  one  iu  the  village.  He  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  G.  T.;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

CORNELIUS  MURPHY,  son  of  John  and  Judah  (Sullivan) 
Murphy,  was  born  in  Ireland  on  September  8,  182o.  He  attended 
school  until  he  was  about  fifteen  years  old,  then  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  then  worked  for 
himself  as  a  day  laborer,  saved  his  money,  and  in  1849  he  set  sail  for 
America.  After  his  arriA^al  he  located  for  a  short  time  in  the  East, 
then  came  to  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  On  April  19, 
1852,  he  married  Elenora  Curl,  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and  two 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz.:  Elva  and  Estella.  In  1854, 
he  came  to  Edgar  County,  III.  Here  he  farmed  until  August,  1862, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  Eiohteenth  Indiana  Batterv.  He  was  in 
seventy-two  hard-fought  battles,  among  which  were  Hoover's  Gap, 
TuUahoma,  Chattanooga,  Chickamauga,  Knoxville  and  others.  On 
•January  25,  1865,  while  he  was  at  the  front,  his  wife  died.  In  June, 
1865,  he  was  dis(diarged,  wdien  he  came  home  to  his  tarra  in  Edgar 
County.  Here  he  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Nancy,  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Bricley.  One  child  has  been  born  to  them,  viz.: 
Isaac  C.  In  1871,  Mr.  Muri)liy  sold  his  tarni,  and  came  to  Crooked 
Creek  Township,  Jasper  County.  Here  he  purchased  a  farm,  the 
house  thereon  being,  it  is  said,  the  first  one  ever  built  on  the  prairie 
in  this  township.  He  now  owns  2;}7  acres  of  well-improved  land, 
and  besides  being  a  general  farmer,  he  deals  in  fine  stock.    In  politics 


546  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY*. 

he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  claim  agent  for  the  collection  of  sol- 
diers' pensions.  He  and  his  wife  and  son  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcoi)al  Church.  Mr.  Murphy  was  raised  in  the  Roman 
Catliolic  faith,  but  was  converted  to  Protestantism  soon  after  he 
emigrated  to  America. 

ENOCH  K.  NELSON,  son  of  William  K.  and  Mary  (Edmonson) 
Nelson,  was  born  in  Grant  County,  K}.,  on  July  2(),  1844.  In  1855, 
he  moved  with  his  father  to  Acton,  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  went 
to  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  July  22,  18G2,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry.  His  regiment  for  some 
time  was  guarding  a  railroad,  but  was  finally  put  into  active  service. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Dallas,  Chattanooga, 
Atlanta,  with  Sherman  in  his  "March  to  the  Sea,"'  at  Raleigh,  N.  C-, 
at  the  grand  review  tit  Washington,  D.  C,  and  then,  in  June,  1865, 
received  his  honorable  discharge.  On  arriving  home  he  resumed 
farming.  In  186(j,  he  came  to  Jasper  Count}^  111.,  and  engaged  in 
fanning.  On  August  20,  1868,  he  married  Emily  Harris  (a  widow), 
dauarhter  of  William  Helms.  She  has  borne  her  husband  six  chil- 
dren,  viz.:  William  II.,  Margaret  L.,  Laura  B.,  Emily  J.,  James  F. 
and  Sarah  J.  Mr.  Nelson  is  now  living  on  eighty  acres  of  land, 
leased,  in  Section  86,  Crooked  Creek  Township,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  fi-eneral  farming.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  158, 
Department  of  Illinois.  He  and  his  wife  are  regular  attendants  at 
church.  V^ 

DANIEL  PERRINE  was  born  January  22,  1813,  and  is  the  son 
of  William  and  Catherine  (Miller)  Perrine,  natives  of  New  Jersey 
and  Virginia,  and  e-arly  settlers  in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  He  was 
reared  to  farming  and  also  learned  shoe-making,  and  in  December, 
1832,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Huls,  of  New  Jersey.  To 
this  union  were  born  ten  children,  of  whom  four  are  still  living — 
Joseph,  David,  Lewis  D.  and  Catherine.  After  marriage  he  started 
a  shoe  shop,  and  while  conducting  this  educated  himself  Under  the 
administration  of  President  Taylor  he  wa«  appointed  postmaster  at 
Westchester,  Ohio,  and  held  the  office  for  many  years.  In  1855  he 
moved  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  an<l  in  1.S61  to  Richland  County, 
where  he  bought  a  fann.  rlannar}'^  3,  1863,  his  wife  died,  and  the 
same  year  he  married  Hannah  Akers,  a  widow  with  two  children; 
she  died  in  Ohio,  when  he  returned  to  Crawford  County  and  married 
Mary  C.  Del/ell,  a  widow  with  one  (diild,  and  to  this  marriage  were 
born  two  children — Daniel  (deceased)  and  Louisn.  After  this  mar- 
riaire  he  came  to  this  township  and  here  lost  his  wife  by  death.     He 


CliOOKED    CREElv    TOWNSHII'.  547 

next  married  Isabel  Bonofiold,  who  also  died,  and  he  then  married 
Sarah  A.  MoKiuney.  While  residing  in  Crawford  Connty  he  was 
a  postmaster  under  Grant;  in  18()0  he  voted  for  Douglas  and  in  1864 
for  Lincoln;  since  then  he  has  been  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  volun- 
teer nurse  in  the  hospital  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  during  the  war;  he 
is  a  Past  Master  Mason  of  Newton  Lodge,  No.  21(j,  and  was  a  char- 
ter member  of  Robinson  Lodge  of  Crawford  County,  and  filled  the 
chaii-s  of  Senior  Warden  and  Master.  He  resides  in  his  own  house  in 
Rose  Hill,  and  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  is  strong  and  active — giving 
dailv  attention  to  runniuiif  a  threshinof  machine.  He  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  A.  POWELL,  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Lucy  (Ealer) 
Powell,  was  born  in  Boone  County,  K3^,  in  1827,  and  at  the  age  of 
six  lost  his  father.  His  mother  then  did  the  ])lowing  while  he  rode 
the  horse,  until  he  became  old  enough  to  t-ake  the  plow  himself  At 
the  age  of  fifteen  his  mother  died;  he  then  went  to  live  on  the  farm 
of  a  cousin  until  twenty-one.  He  then  went  to  Shelby  County,  Ind., 
where  he  was  married,  in  1849,  to  Julia  A.  Avey  (a  daughter  of 
Peter  Avey),  who  bore  him  nine  children,  of  whom  four  are  yet 
living — Abraham,  Nicholas,  Sarah  and  Edward.  Soon  after  marriage 
he  purchased  forty  acres  of  imi)roved  land,  which  he  farmed  until 
18')8,  when  he  sold  and  1)ought  IGO  acres  in  this  townshi[).  In  18()1 
he  enlist(Kl  in  Company  H,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Resaca, 
Atlanta,  Nashville  and  others,  serving  until  1864,  when  he 
re-enlisted  in  the  same  company  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Mr.  Powell  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Rose  Hill  Post,  G.  A. 
R.,  No.  l.')8,  and  in  polities  is  a  Republican. 

GEORGE  W.  SUTTON'  is  the  son  of  Israel  and  Susannah 
(Spaulding)  Sutton,  and  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber 2S,  1844,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  was  taken  to  Bartholomew 
County  by  his  father,  who  died  two  years  later;  George  then  came 
to  this  county,  was  bound  out  to  a  farmer  but  ran  away  and  enlisted 
in  September,  1861,  in  Company  K,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  fought  at  Frederickstown,  Mo.,  Perryville.  Ivy.,  Stone 
River,  Chickamauga  and  in  other  battles,  but  was  taken  sick  and 
confined  in  hospital  at  Bridgeport,  and  was  discharged  at  Quincy, 
III.,  in  Ai)ril,  1864,  for  total  disabilit}'.  He;  returned  home,  recov- 
ered, and  again  enlisted  February  18,  1865 — this  time  in  Company 
D,  Fourth  United  States  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  on 
guard  duty  at  variou><  points  until   his  discharge  at  Columl)US,  Ohio, 


548  BIOOKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — .lASF'KH    CorNTV: 

Febniiirv  111.  l<Si)')-  November  Iti.  1871.  he  married  Viola,  (laughter 
of  Robert  aiul  Harriot  Ross.  lie  his  had  born  to  him  six  children, 
of  whom  five  arc  now  living — Hittie  A.,  Ida  P.,  Charles  P..  Flor- 
ence and  Edo-ar  Rosroe.  In  1872  he  purchased  his  tarni  on  Section 
30,  this  townshij).  and  has  put  it  under  a  Hue  state  of  cultivation. 
He  is  a  charter  membsr  of  Rose  Hill  Post,  No.  108.  G.  A.  R..  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

KINESON  VAXATTA  was  born  in  Crooked  Creek  Township 
November  (J,  1853,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Amanda  (Kellar) 
Vanatta.  who  came  Trom  Ohio  to  this  township  in  18o.").  and  wore 
here  married.  Tli"  lather  died  in  1854  and  the  mother  in  1877. 
Auirust  5,  1875,  Kineson  Vanatta  married  Almira  Cowger,  daughter 
of  William  F.  and  America  A.  (Ward)  Cowger,  of  this  county.  To 
this  marriage  have  been  born  three  children — WillianiL,  Charles  M- 
and  Levi  C.  Mr.  Vanatta  is  a  general  farmer,  rears  some  stock  and 
has  a  fiiK'  farm  on  Section  18— a  portion  of  it  left  him  by  his  father 
and  the  balance  purchased  by  himself— on  which  ho  built,  in  18S1. 
as  comfortable  a  one-and-a-half-story  frame  house  as  there  is  in  the 
township.  Mr.  ^^  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Now  Light 
Church. 

JOHX  VANATTA   was  born   in   Jasper  County.  111.,  Oidober 
9,  184G,  and  is  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Jane   (Ray)   Vanatta.   whose 
grandparents  were  early  settlers  in  Lawrence  County,  Avhere  Aaron 
and  Jane  were  born.     John  Vanatta  was  reared  on  the  homo  farm,, 
and  was  educated  at    the    old-fashioned    pioneer   log  schoolhouse. 
April  3,  1872,  he  married  Jane  Coad,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Mary  A.  (Reisuer)  Coad,  and  born  September  (3,  1848.     After  mar- 
riage he  settled  on  his  father's  farm  and  became  a  gon.onil  farmer 
and  stock-dealer.     In  1872  ho  i)ur(diasod  forty  acres  on  Section  24,  this 
townshii),with  money  saved  by  himself  and  wife;  she  bad  boon  granted 
a  teacher's  certificate  and  began  teaching  at  the  ago  of  nineteen,  and 
when  she  was  married  had  accumulated  $1,000;   they  ha\e  now  a 
large  farm  with  a  good  frame  dw(dling  and  outbuildings.  _  There 
have  boon  born  to  them  throe  (diildron — Florence,  Juno  5,  1874.  died 
September  2:),  1875;    Henry,   born   February   14,   1877,  and  Lizzie, 
December  29,  1881.     Mr.  V.  is  a  Democrat  of  liberal  views,  and  he 
and  wife  ar(^  members  of  the  Methodist   Episcopal   Church.     Mr. 
V.'s  father  di(Ml    February  21.    18S1.  ;ind   his   mother  July  4,  1871, 
members  of  the  Ciiristian  Church. 

JOSEPH  E.  VEST  was  born  in  Floyd  (bunty,  Va.,  :March  1, 
1841,  is  the  s(m  of  Rowland  and  Delilah  Vest,  and  was  taken,  when 
<iuite  an  infant,  to  Ohio  by  his  parents.  His  mother  died  shortly 
after  her  arrival,  and  his  fitiier  moved  to  Indiana  when  Joseph  was 
about  thirteen.  Our  subjoet  was  educated  in  Ohio  and  at  Indianap- 
olis, afterward  learned  slioemaking,  workeil  at  the  trade  until  July, 


CROOKED    CUKKK    TOWNSHII'.  549- 

18(U,  and  then  unlisted  in  Compaiiy  I),  Elevcnlh  Imlianii  Volunteer 
Intantrv.  was  appointed  Corporal  and  took  part  at  .Shiloli.  Port 
Gibson,  Champion  Hills.  N'ickshura",  Harper's  Ferry,  Winchester, 
and  at  many  other  points,  anil  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  in 
l<S(i4.  He  then  started  a  boot  and  shoe  store  at  Staunton,  Ind. 
.rune  14,  ISiK;.  he  married  Laura  Carter,  dauiihter  of  Colin  Carter, 
and  to  his  union  have  been  born  five  (diildriMi^Flora  (deceased), 
Cora,  Aliee,  Louis  (deceased)  aiid  Audra.  He  next  moved  to  Bra- 
zil, kept  a  shoe  store  about  ten  years,  and  then  came  to  Kosc  Hill, 
established  a  g-oneral  store  and  took  (diar<>-e  of  a  stave  factory  in  the 
inti'rest  of  his  mother-in-law."  This  factory,  the  only  one  in  the 
townshij),  he  subsequently  ]nir(diased.  and  now  employsabout  fifteen 
persons.  Mr.  Vest  is  a  Mason,  a  meml)er  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  pol- 
itics is  independent. 

ARM8TP:A1)  \y\\iD  was  born  in  Bourbon  (\)unty,  Ky., 
March  ."),  lt:)14,  and  is  the  son  of  dohn  and  Nancy  (Billington)  Ward. 
His  father  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  and  his  mother  in  ITIKI,  in 
Losantville  (now  Cincinnati),  Ohio;  they  were  married  in  lioui'l)on 
County.  Ky.  When  our  subject  was  sev(>n  years  of  ao^e  he  was  sent 
to  school  in  Ohio,  at  about  twelve  he  returned  to  Kentucky  and 
attended  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  for  a  time,  and  then  moved  to 
Indiana,  where  he  also  cni>a<red  in  farming'-  Octol)er  17,  l<s;^7,  he 
married  Celia  A.  Billinijton,  Avho  bore  him  nine  children,  of  whom 
four  are  liviniJf^John  William,  Sarah  A.,  .lames  H.  and  Richard  M. 
In  1851,  Mr.  Ward  came  to  this  township  and  settled  on  ."){)()  acres 
he  had  entered  the  previous  year,  an<l  subsequently  dealt  lar<)fely  in 
stock.  Of  the  .")0r)  acres  wild  prairie  land  he  has  retained  200,  which 
constitute  as  fine  a  farm  as  there  is  in  the  township.  In  1852  his 
wife  died  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  dune  9,  l<s5i>,  he 
married  Malinda  (daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary)  Hendricks,  who 
bore  him  ei^ht  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet  livin<i" — Mary  F., 
.ludson  K.,  Samuel  A.,  and  Lula.  ]\Ir.  AVard  has  been  a  Counfy 
Commissioner,  and  a  Justice  of  the  Peace;  he  is  an  Odd  Fello\v,  a 
Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

John  William  Ward,  son  of  Amistead  and  Celia  A.  (  Billing- 
ton)  Ward,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  May  li).  1811,  and  came 
to  this  toNvnshii)  with  his  father.  He  was  here  educated  and  reared 
to  farmin<>-.  In  18(11,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty -First  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  Company  I,  and  fouoht  at  Frederi(d<t()wn,  Mo., 
Corinth,  Perryville,  Stone  River.  Liberty  Gap  and  Chickamauga. 
At  the  last  named  l)attle  he  was  captured  by  the  foe  and  im- 
prisoned in  the  Libby,  at  Danville,  at  Andersonville,  at  Charleston 
and  at  Goldsborouuh.  February  27,  1<S()5,  he  was  e.vchanged,  and 
in  April,  I<S(i5,  was  honoraldydischarircd  from  the  service.  Septem- 
ber 2,  iJSi;);.  he  inan'iecl  Lucinda  Larrimer.  of  K'ichland  County,  111., 
who  has  borne  him  live  children  -  Mary  A.,  Sarah  J.,  Dolly  V.,  Myrtle 
(deeciised)  and  Ada  E.  He  has  a  neat  farm  on  Section  14,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  of  Post  158,  G.  \.  R.,  Depart- 
ment of  Illinois. 


550  Hiof;iiAiMiirM.  skktchk. kvspki;  county: 

RKV.  JOHN  T.  WARltKX,  son  of  John  and  Tiibotha  (Vin- 
cent) Warren,  was  born  on  May  7.  1^17,  in  Madison  Connty,  Ky. 
The  father  settled  in  Madison  County  in  I.SOO.  Our  subject  attended 
school  but  little  in  the  primitive  schoolhouse,  and  labored  on  a  farm 
in  his  early  youth.  In  l>>'oo,  he  canic  to  Decatur  County.  Ind.,  and 
on  February  2,  l^i34,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  James  Arsraith, 
of  Kentucky.  Slie  died  on  May  13.  1834.  On  September  2t>,  l<s;56, 
he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Lucinda,  daughter  of  Pleasant  Mar- 
tin, of  Kentucky.  Their  children  are,  Pleasant  \V.,  Sarah  C.  (de- 
ceased), James  P.,  Thomas  J.,  Martha  J.  (deceased),  and  John  (de- 
ceased). While  Mr.  Warren  worked'  on  a  farm  he  studied  for  the 
Baptist  ministry,  and  in  1840  Avas  ordained  as  a  preacher  in  the  Mis- 
sionary Jiaptist  Church,  and  assumed  charge  of  the  Rock  Creek  Baptist 
Church,  until  in  1<S5(3,  he  came  to  Crooked  Creek  Township,  and 
entered  1  (JO  acres  of  land.  In  the  meantime  he,  with  others,  organ- 
ized what  is  called  the  Bethany  Church,  of  which  he  had  charge  for 
twenty-nine  years.  After  a  brief  absence,  he  was  rc-called,  and  is 
now  its  pastor.  On  July  4,  1877.  his  second  wife  departed  this  life. 
■On  May  29,  1882,  he  married,  for  his  third  Avife,  Nancy  J.  Lipscomb 
(a  widow),  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Jones.  Mr.  AVarren  now  has 
charge  of  three  ciiurches — Bethany.  Moimt  Gilead  and  Salem.  His 
son,  James  P.  Warren,  was  1)orn  in  Indiana  on  Septem])er  2."),  1842, 
and  in  1850,  came  with  the  family  to  Jasper  County,  111.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Com])any  D,  Ninety-Seyenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
•and  participated  in  the  iWttles  of  Vicl<sl)urg,  Alay  18  to  July  4, 
18()2;  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  10  to  2(1,  18112,  Fort  Bhikely.  and  others. 
At  the  end  of  three  years'  service  he  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Houston,  Texas;  came  home,  and  went  to  farming.  Iji  October. 
18(37,  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Ruth  Cha])man. 
Two  children,  both  infants,  deceased,  were  born  to  them.  His  wife 
died  on  July  5,  iSf;*).  On  August  24,  1<S7(),  he  was  next  married  to 
Rfebecca,  daughter  of  Elias  and  Rebecca  (Irons)  Lefevre.  Four  chil- 
dren have  ;been  born  to  them,  viz.:  Clementine  A.,  born  April  30, 
1871;  Lucinda,  May  !♦;,  1872;  John,  September  24,  1873,  and  Cyrus 
v.,  May  11,  ISSO.  "Our  subject  has  a  tine  farm  of  170 acres.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Democrat;  has  been  a  Constal)le  and  a  Highway  Com- 
missioner.    The  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Chm-ch. 

SOLOMOX  S.WHITE,  son  of  William  and  Amy  (A\'oods) 
White,  was  born' in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  December  2S,  l,s2r),  and 
was  taken  to  Coles  County  in  1S30,'  by  his  father,  who  was  a  farmer. 
He  attended  a  pioneer  subscription  school,  but  was  early  put  to  the 
plow,  as  his  father  was  in  fe(4)lc  health.  He  continued  to  aid  in  the 
support  of  the  family  until  his  marriage,  Dccend)er  4,  l.s.")l,  to  Mary 
C-  Kingery,  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  (Carter)  Kingery,  and 
born  in  ( )hi(),  November  5,  1 832.  To  this  marriage  have  been  born  nine 
children,  of  whom  seven  are  livinu* — Lillie  K.,  William  H.,  Samuel 
S.,  Lucinda  (x..  Virginia  P>.,  Leonora  O-  and  Charles  W-  Mr.  White 
farmed  in  Coles  County  until  1843,  when  he  si)ld  his  farm  and  came 
to  this  township  and  bought  a  plaee  on  Section  2!t.      lie  and  wife  are 


cKOOKKi)  ('kep:k  township.  /)5l 

members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which,  for  thirty  years, 
past,  he  has  been  a  class-leader,  steward,  trustee,  etc.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

KEZIX  WILKINS,  son  of  0/ian  and  Matilda  (Hincs)  Wilkins, 
was   born  in  Guernse}'  County,  Ohio,  on  December  10,  1<S2*J.     The 
fatlier  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  on  December  22,  1802, 
the  mother  in  Pennsylvania,  on  December  24,  1805,  they  being  mar- 
ried   in    Guernsey   County  in   1S22.     The  father  Avas  a  farmer  and 
stone-mason.     Our  subject  went  to  school  in  tiie  pioneer  schoolhouse 
and  labored  on  a  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  moved 
to  Indiana,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  different  persons,  some- 
times at  a  compensation  of  only  ten  cents  per  day.     He  saved  some 
money,  however,  and  when  twenty-one  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land.     Until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  was  an  engineer  in 
a  saw-mill,  after  which  he  w^ent  to  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  and  worked 
there  in  a  saw-mill.     On  June  17,  185."),  he  married  Angeline,daugh~ 
ter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Hendricks.     Twelve  children  were 
born  to  them,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Samuel  L.,  Mary  E., 
William  E.,  Alice  M.,  Emma  J.,  Sarah  C.,  Nettie  and  Frank.     In 
1857,  he  came  to  Crooked  Creek  Towniship,  Jasper  County,  III.,  and 
bought   200   acres  in  Section  10,  of  wild  land,  wdiich  he  has   well 
ini})roved,  and  on  wdiicli  he   has  built  a  fine  house  and  commodious 
barn.     After  an  illness  of  three  years,  his  wife  died  on  August  12, 
1883.     She  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian   Church,  as  is 
also  Mr.  Wilkins.     In   politics  he  is  a  Democrat;  has  been  a  Town- 
ship Collector.     He  is  a  Master  Mason  of  Hazel  Dell  Lodi,^e,  No.  580. 
ISAAC  C  WORDEN,  son  of  Andrew  and  Amanda' (Timpany) 
Worden,  was  born  in  Connecticut  on  Auijust  24,  1829.     He  went  to 
school  till  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  then  w^orked  at  farmmg  until 
his  marriage,  wdiich  occurred  on  December  26,  1852,  to  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  David   and   Harriet   (Beach)  Duryea,  of  Connecticut.     Two 
children  were  born  to  them,  viz.:  David  A.  and  William  C.  In  1856, 
he  moved  to  Franklin  County.  Ind.,  wdiere  he  engaged   in  farming 
till  August  11,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Sixty-Eighth 
In-diana  Infantry,  as  First  Sergeant.     He  was  captured  at  the  battle 
of  Munfordville,  Ky.,  but   was  paroled,  and  soon  after  exchanged. 
He  particij)ated  in  the  battles  of  Hoosicr  Gap,  Chickamauga,  Chat- 
tjinooira.  Missionary  Ridge,  Dalton.  Nashville,  and  others.     He  wa*y 
di.scharged  on  June  20,  1<S<)5.     Returning  home  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing until  1869,  when  he  traded  his  farm  for  eighty-six  acres  of  im- 
proved land  in  Crooked  Creek  Township,  Jasper  County,  III.,  w^here 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  up  to  the  present  time.     In  politics 
he  is  an  active  Republican,  an(l  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the- 
Presbyterian  Church,  he  being  an  elder  in  the  same.     He  is  also  a- 
member  of  the  Hazel  Dell  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  580. 


552  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — -TASI'EK    COUNTY: 


GRANDVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 

LLOYD  liAlLEY  is  a  iiiitivo  of  Favotto  Coiintv.  Ohio,  was 
born  January  12,  1884,  and  is  a  son  of  Ludwoll  W.  and  Mariraret 
(Skelly)  Bailey,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  who  early  settled  in  Fay- 
ette County.  Ohio,  were  there  married,  and  lived  on  a  farm.  Lloyd 
Bailey  was  sent  to  the  pioneer  schools  of  the  jieriod,  and  also  worked 
for-hi'^s  father  until  the  year  l<sr)2,  when  he  moved  to  Grandville 
Township,  elasper  County,  111.,  and  entered  a  portion  of  land.  Jan- 
uary, LSof),  he  married  Lucy  A.,  dauo-hter  of  Samuel  and  Graeie 
(Taylor)  Weaver,  a  union  which  was  enriched  by  tw(dve  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  livino-,  viz.:  Mary  M.,  Lloyd  N.,  Jerome  B.,  Lud- 
well  J.,  Francis  T.,  Alta  I.  and  Geoi^e  E.  Mr.  Bailey  is  proprietor 
of  a  desirable  farm,  comprisino-  200  acres,  improved,  and  containing 
considerable  stock;  it  is  also  emb(dlished  by  a  fine  brick  dwelling, 
the  only  one  in  the  toAvushi)).  ^Ir.  Bailey  is  a  man  who  has  made 
himself.     His  wife  is  a  mendier  of  the  New  Lioht  Church. 

JAMES  McCORD  BARLOW,  M.  D.,  a  highly  esteemed  physi- 
cian of  Grandville,  is  a  native  of  Crawford  County.  III.,  was  born 
September  21,  1M28.  and  is  a  son  of  John  ^V.  and  Elizabeth  S. 
(Gordon)  Barlow,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  but  settled  in  what 
is  now  the  State  of  Illinois — at  that  time  a  part  of  the  Northwest 
Territory — on  Shaker  Prairie,  in  181G.  Mr.  Barlow  was  a  master 
Mason,  having  joined  that  Order  in  182.');  he  died  October  8.  1863, 
and  his  wife  October  13,  IH(V.).  Dr.  Barlow  attended  school  about 
one-fourth  of  each  year,  and  during  the  remainder  labored  on  the 
home  farm.  In  1839,  he  removed'to  Clark  C(mnty.  111.,  attended 
school  for  a  time,  then  commenced  the  studv  of  medicine  under  Dr. 
T.  C.  Moore  and  Dr.  Churchill  at  Wheatfic'ld,  and  in  l.s:)()  and  18r>l 
attended  the  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago,  and  afterward  began 
practice  at  Bell  Air.  Crawford  County.  June  29,  1S.")1.  he  niarried 
Cynthia  A.,  daughter  of  Lewis  Bradshaw.  with  an  issue  of  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  thi-ec  are  living — Adrian.  Ida  and  Edith.  In  1860, 
he  resumed  lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College  whence  he  graduated 
in  March,  1861.  In  1862,  he  moved  to  Edgar  County  (where  his 
wife  died,  October  28,  1S62),  and  thence,  in  ISlif),  to  Crawford 
Count  V.  Julv  11.  1865.  he  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Judge  James 
B.  Trimble,  who  died  July  17,  1878,  leaving  two  children.  Arthur 
and  Ethelbert.  September  29,  1881,  Dr.  Barlow  married  Mrs. 
Maggie  Boyd.  He  has  an  extensive  jn-actice,  and  has  had  :i  drug 
store  since  "lS(i  I.  Dr.  Barlow  is  a,  Royal  \vrh  Mason,  and  a  liberal 
Democrat. 

JOHN  B.VrES  was  born  in  Fayette  County.  Ind..  Ai)ril  7, 
1827,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Polly  (Pellcy)  Bates,  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Oh'io,  who  were  early  settlers  of 
Bourbon  Count\ .  Kv..  where  thev  were  mtirried.     The  Bates  family 


(;j;.\M)\  ii.LK    low  Nsim*.  .')o;^ 

moved  to  Fayette  County,  Iiid.,  in  1824,  wheiv  John  liatcs,  Sr., 
owned  a  fino  farm  and  had  some  of  the  best  stock  to  be  found.  Our 
subject  attended  scliool  in  the  house  in  whieli  he  was  l)orn,  and  aft<?r- 
ward  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  I)eeend)er  4,  1850,  when  he 
married  Anij-elinc  W.,  (hiuirhter  of  Minor  Thomas,  of  Fayette  County, 
Ind.,  which  union  gave  beinoto  two  ehihlren,  William  O.  and  Emma. 
After  marriao-e,  Mr.  liates  remained  in  Fayette  County,  and  o-ave  his 
entire  time  to  stock-raisiuiif.  In  l.sii;',,  he  l)eoan  to  exhibit  his  horses 
and  mules,  and  always  took  fii-st  premiums  thereto)-.  In  1880,  he 
purchased,  and  now  occupies,  the  Cooper  mansion  and  lands,  iiaving 
now  one  of  the  finest  stock  farms  in  the  county,  where  he  breeds 
Norman  horses,  Short  horn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs,  for  which 
he  has  taken  the  ribbons  at  the  State  and  county  fairs.  Mr.  Bates  is  a 
liberal  Democrat  and  a  deacon  in  the  Chri-stian  Church,  and  Mi-s. 
Bates  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church.  :Mr.  Bates'  father  died  in  1871, 
.  and  his  mother  in  1882;  his  daughter  Emma  married  James  A.  Bu- 
chanan, now  a  partner  with  hisVather-in-hiw.  They  have  two  ehil- 
<lren,  Mercy  and  William  B. 

JOHN  BENSON  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  August  'S,  1818, 
and  is  a  sou  of  James  and  Eupliemia  (Stout)  Benson,  the  former  a 
native  of  ]\Liryland,  the  latter  of  Virginia,  where  they  were  married. 
James  Benson  was  a  sailor,  and  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
after  the  close  of  which  he  settled  in  Virginia,  became  a  farmer,  and 
in  1824  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Edgar  Count}^  111.,  where  John 
attended  school  and  worked  at"^  farm  work.  In  184!l,  he  married 
Jane  Ilorsley,  of  Kentucky,  who  died  in  1878,  leaving  six  out  of  a 
tamily  of  eleven  born  to ''them,  viz.:  William  H.,  Robert  E.,  Anna 
I  M.,  Mary  E.,   Matilda  E.  and  David   B.     Flaving   entered    land   in 

I  Graudville  Towushii),  he  moved   thereon   in  1851  and  built  a  large 

house,  known  as  the  "Yale  House,"  and  kept  by  him  since  1878. 
March,  1879,  he  married  Mrs.  Anna  A.  Clark,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Stump,  of  Jasper  County.  Mr.  Benson  has  a  good  farm  of  120  acres, 
and  a  grocery  at  the  station.  While  a  resident  of  Edgar  County 
he  was  twice  elected  Sherill",  also  served  two  terms  as  Justic(>  of  the 
Peace,  and  sixteen  years  as  School  Treasurei-  of  Jasper  County.  He 
is  now  a  notary  public,  and  politically  a  Democrat.  He  and  wife 
are  mend)ers  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  he  is  steward 
and  trustee. 

ROBERT  S.  BYERS,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Johnson   County, 
Ind.,  was  born  A[)ril  10,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy 
j  K.  (Kelly)    P>yers,  both  natives  of  Kentucky  and   early  settlers   in 

I  Indiana.     Dr.  Byers,  after  attending  subscription  school  and  Avork- 

ing  for  his  father,  commenced  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  R.  D.  Miller, 
of  Trafalgar,  Ind.,  and  in  1878  became  a  student  at  the  Indiana  Med- 
i<-al  College  at  Indianapolis,  from  whicli  he  graduated  in  18K0,  and 
afterward  located  in  the  villag(>  of  Graudville  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  October  (>,  1870,"  he  wedded  Caroline  E.,  daughter  of 
James  and  Emily  McFadden,  which  marriage  was  productive  of  one 
child,  Eva  J.     Dr.  Byers  has  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, reaching 


I 


554  BIOGRAPHICAL    8KKTCHES — JASPER   COUNTY. 

far  into  the  surroiindinir  country.  He  owns  a  fine  home,  and  is  so 
oircunistancod  as  to  enjoy  iudepondciice  and  the  comforts  of  life. 
He  is  a  l\ei)ublican,  and  now  serving  as  Town  (.U(;rk.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Missionary  Baptist,  and  Mrs.  Byers  of  the  Methodist 
Epi.scopal  Church. 

DR.  NORMAN  COMSTOCK  was  born  October  LJ,  1811,  at 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  was  educated  at  Fairfield  College,  and  in  his  profession 
at  Jefi'erson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia.  When  nineteen  years 
old,  he  located  at  Greenville,  Ind.,  as  a  practitioner,  and  afterward 
in  DuT)ois  County.  At  the  age  of  thirty  he  wedded  Rachel  Harris 
and  moved  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  where  he  followed  his  profes- 
sion successfully,  and  in  1861  moved  to  Westfield  on  account  of  edu- 
cational advantages  for  his  family.  In  1802,  he  raised  a  company 
for  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,, 
of  which  he  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  and  afterward  Cap- 
tain, which  positions  he  filled  with  much  honor  until  disabled  while 
on  duty,  which  disability  compelled  him  to  abandon  the  practice  of 
medicine,  so  that  he  lived  thereafter  a  (juiet.  Christian  life  until  liis 
death,  October  28,  1882.  His  wife  died  January  22, 18S0,  at  Paris,  111. 
Dr.  Carl  L.  Comstock,  son  of  the  above,  was  born  in  Dubois  County, 
Ind.,  April  2,  1845,  and  divided  his  time  between  farm  work 
and  school  until  August  14,  1862,  when  he  joined  Compau}^  E,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  ^^olunteer  Infantry,  serving  at 
Perryville  and  Milton,  after  which  battles  he  was  discharged  in 
December,  18(i2,  then  returned  to  Westfield  and  clerked  in  a  drug 
store.  In  1867,  he  read  medicine  with  his  father,  later  attended  lect- 
ures at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  then  began  practice  at  Bell  Air,  111. 
December  21,  1871,  he  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  Geo.  W.  Mitch- 
ell, of  Crawford  County,  with  an  issue  of  four  children,  one  of  whom 
is  living,  Charles  M.  After  marriage.  Dr.  Comstock  located  at  Har- 
risburg,  Jasper  County,  afterAvard  in  Dubois  County,  Ind.,  and  in 
1S7II  where  he  now  is,  having  purchased  forty  acres,  and  is  at  present 
in  the  timber  trade.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  Avas  made  deputy 
Past  JNIaster  in  1883.  He  is  also  a  charter  member  of  Coblenz  Post. 
G.  A.  R. 

JOHN  R.  CRAiNIER  is  a  native  of  Licking  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  June  15,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaiah  and  Mary  (Reed)  Cramer, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Maryland,  who  early 
came  to,  and  were  married  in  Licking  County,  Ohio.  After  some 
education  at  the  schools  of  th(^  day,  John  R.  Cramer  worked  as  a 
fanner,  saved  some  money,  and  June  15,  1848,  juarried  Eliza])eth, 
daughter  of  David  and  Christina  (Myers)  Allen,  both  formerly  of 
Pennsylvania.  This  union  gave  birth  to  ten  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  living — Alvin  J.,  Reuben  L.,  John  W.,  Millard  F.,  Martin  IL, 
Amos  L.  and  Mary  C.  In  1848,  Mr.  Cramer  moved  to  Grandville 
Township,  Jasper  County,  111.,  where  he  entered  and  imi)roved  land 
which  has  become  a  homestead  of  220  acres,  and  under  good  culti- 
vation. Mr.  Cramer  is  a  general  farmer,  with  some  stock,  and  com- 
fortably circumstanced.     He  had  thiee  sons  in  the  Union  army,  one 


GRANDVILLE   TOWNSHIP.  555 

of  wliom,  Alvin,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Farmiiiij-toii,  Tenn.  Mr. 
Cramer  is  a  Kopubliean,  and  an  esteemed  eiti/en,  and  Mrs.  Cramer 
is  a  meml) 'r  of  the  Unite  I  brethren  Chureh. 

WILLIAM  A.  GIFFORD  is  a  sou  of  Levi  and  Mariraret  (Free- 
man) Gitlord,  l)otli  natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  moved  to  Indi- 
ana al)i)iit  182i(.  L?vi  Gitford  was  a  farmer.  William  A.  Gif- 
ford  was  born  November  14,  1839.  His  parents  moved  to  Coles 
County,  111-,  in  1840,  and  entered  KJO  acres  in  Grandviile  Township, 
Avhere  Mr.  Gitlord  died  in  1846.  The  irrandfather  of  our  subject, 
"William  Freeman,  then  removed  the  family  to  their  old  home 
in  Johnson  Connty,  Ind.,  where  William  A.  went  to  school  and 
worked  ou  the  farm.  In  1854,  his  mother  died,  when  he  came  with 
an  Uncle,  Isaac  Giftbrd,  to  Jasper  County,  III.,  where  he  labored 
until  Octoi)3r  3,  18.")8,  at  which  period  he  married  Emily,  daugditer 
of  Kcv.  Henry  Clark.  After  his  marriaae,  Mr.  Gitlord  located  on  the 
IGO  acres  entered  by  his  father,  and  worked  and  improved  the  same. 
Ausfust  14,  18():^,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E.,  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Third  Voluntt'cr  (afterward  Mounted)  Infantry.  He  was  a 
Corporal,  and  serve  1  in  the  battles  of  Perry  ville,  the  pursuit  of  John 
Moriran,  Hoover's  Gap,  Chickamauga,  and  with  General  Sherman  in 
the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  was  discharoed,  July,  1865,  after  which 
he  again  took  up  the  jilow.  He  has  now  a  good  home  and  farm  of 
200  acres;  is  a  general  farmer  with  some  supply  of  stock.  He  is  a 
Kcpnblican,  and  served  six  years  as  Commissioner  of  Highways.  Mr. 
and  i\Irs.  Gitlord  have  had  born  to  them  four  children — Oliver  T., 
Cyrena  F.  (deceased),  Li  Hie  ]M.  and  Allie  A.  They  are  members  of 
t'lc  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  ^Ir.  Giffbrd  is  a  trustee.  He 
was  laraelv  interested  in  buildini»-  the  Ottcrbein  Church,  the  first  in 
Jasper  Countv- 

ABRAM"^S.  HUDDLESTUN  is  a  son  of  George  and  Susannah 
(Slack)  Huddlcstun,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  in  l^edford 
County,  Va.,  September  23,  1803.  He  went  to  school  in  the  old 
pioneer  school  houses  of  those  early  years,  and  also  labored  at 
farm  work  until  he  attained  his  majority.  April  23, 182'J,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Dickerson,  and  to  them  were  bestowed  seven  cliildren,  five 
of  whom  are  living — Sarah  J.,  ^lary  A.,  James  A.,  AVilliam  IL.  and 
Worden  B.  In  1833,  Mr.  Huddlcstun  moved  to  Kentucky,  and  there 
farmed  for  several  years.  In  1847,  he  removed  to  this  township, 
entered  140  acres  of  wild  land,  some  of  which  he  improved,  and  here 
experienced  the  varied  hardships  of  those  early  settlers.  He  has  now 
17.")  acres,  making  a  line  farm  and  a  good  home.  Mr.  Huddlcstun  is 
a  Democrat,  an  esteemed  citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
since  the  vear  1833. 

JAMES  W.  HUDDLESTUX  is  a  son  of  Barnett  G.and  Susan 
(Winter)  Iluddlestnn,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  early  settlers 
in  Kentucky,  where  James  W.  first  saw  the  light,  February  1 7,  1839. 
He  attended  school  and  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  18"0,  when 
his  father  removed  to,  and  located  in  Grandviile  Township,  111.  May 
11, 1861,  he  married  Miss  R.  Adamson,  whose  father,  Zedekiah  Adam- 

34 


556  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

son,  settled  here  in  1850.  Mr.  and  ]Mrs.  Iliiddlestun  have  had  three 
chihU'cu  horn  to  them,  two  of  which  number  are  yet  livinij — Sirah 
J.  E.,  and  Ira  W.  Mr.  Ilud  lU»stuii  has  a  well-cultivated  and  im- 
proved farm,  with  a  fair  amount  of  stock,  and  is  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances. He  is  politically,  a  member  of  the  Damocratic  ranks, 
a  very  worthy  gentleman,  and  a  much-esteemed  citizen.  Mrs.  Hud- 
dlestun  is  a  meinb?r  of  the  Missiouarv  Baptist  Church. 

CAPTAIN  SAMUP:L  JARRE  IT  is  a  son  of  Wilson  and  Cath- 
erine (Dowell)  Jarrctt,  the  former  a  native  of  Virgiuia,  the  latter  of 
Kentucky,  where  they  were  married,  our  subject  being  a  native 
of  Mead  County,  and  iDorn  jSIarch  1,  LS.37.  Until  his  twentieth  year, 
he  attended  school  and  worked  on  the  home  farm,  after  which  he  fol- 
lowed boatiug  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississi])pi  rivers.  In  the  fall  of 
181)1,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Third  Kentucky  (Union)  Cavalry. 
His  first  l)attle  was  at  Woodbury,  Ky.,  l)ut  he  afterwards  fought  at 
Shih)h,  Corinth,  Pea  Ridge,  Perryville,  and  others.  June  12,  1.^(13, 
he  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and  detached  on  recruiting 
duty.  October  '),  1863,  he  was  commissioned  Captain  of  Comi)auy  K, 
Forty-Eighth  Mouuted  lufantry,  aud  was  in  various  engagements, 
mostly  with  guerrillas,  until  December,  1865,  when  he  av;is  mustered 
out.  duly  1,  1863,  he  married  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Jo-d  Grant, 
of  Henderson,  Ky.,  which  union  gave  issue  to  three  children — Geor- 
gia L.,  Edith  and  ^laggie.  Mrs.  Jarrett  died,  September  8, 1<S72,  and 
December  2,  1873,  he  married  Caroline,  daughter  of  F.  N.  Watt,  of 
Warren  County,  K3^,  and  to  this  union  succeeded  four  (diildren,  of 
whom  two  survive — ^laud  and  Sarah  C  In  1865,  after  coming  to 
Jasper  County,  111.,  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Grandville  Townshi]), 
where  he  resides.  His  farm  is  well-improved,  with  a  very  good  dwell- 
ing-house. Captain  Jarrett  is  a  Repuldican,  and  a  member  of  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.  He  and  wife  are  communicants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  highly  respected  by  all. 

GEORGE  W.  JEFFERS  was  born  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  Janu- 
ary 4,  1817,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  ten  children  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
(Tapi))  Jeti'ers,  (the  latter  of  Indian  descent),  who  were  natives 
respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  and  married  January, 
1816.  Robert  Jeffers  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  the  land-war- 
rant for  which  service  he  locatetl  in  Kentucky,  and  in  1827,  moved 
to  Henry  County,  where  George  AV.  attendeil  school  and  worked  for 
his  father.  August  23,  1835,  he  married  Eli/ab'th  Rich,  of  Ken- 
tucky, who  died  November  23,  1843,  having  been  the  mother  of  three 
children,  all  deceased.  In  1<S36,  he  entered  land  in  Crawford  County, 
111.,  which  he  improved,  and  on  Avliich  he  raised  consideraI)le  stock. 
April  [},  1845,  he  married  Eliza  Grove,  of  Jas[)er  Couuiy,  111.,  and 
after  a  short  residence  in  Wisconsin,  he  returned  to  Jasper  County, 
and  located  in  Wade  Township.  Ry  his  second  marriage,  Mr.  rlellers 
became  father  to  eleven  children,  of  whom  sevcm  are  living — Louisa 
L.,  George  F.,  Robert  P.,  William  X.,  Andrew  S.,  Nancy  J.  and 
Thomas  M.  Mr.  JeHers  established  the  first  saw-mill  in  the  county, 
and  entered  160  acres  in  Grandville  Township,  to  Avhichhe  moved  in 


GRANDVILLE   TOWNSHIP.  557 

1855,  liavinof  now  500  acres  ofsupcrior  hind,  on  which  he  built  a  very 
fine  house  in  1872.  Auijust  3,  187.S,  Mrs.  Jert'crsdied,  and  DeccmbeV 
27,  1.S80,  he  married  ^lary  A.,  widow  of  Isaac  Stevens.  Mr.  Jeflcrs 
is  a  stock-raiser  anil  representative  farmer,  a  member  of  the  old  school 
Baptist  Church,  and  a  Democrat. 

CAPTAIN  AVILLIAM  LEAMON  is  a  native  of  Virijinia,  was 
born  April  1 1,  IS]  7,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Postlewait) 
Leamon,  who  moved  to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  in  1S18,  and  were  con- 
sequently pioneei-s.  Capt.  Leamon  attended  the  early  schools  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  durinsf  boyhood.  In  1.S37  he  visited  an 
micle  in  Indiana,  where  he  worked  for  forty-two  cents  per  day,  and 
saved  money  with  which  to  purchase  land  in  Grandvillc  Township, 
Jasper  County,  111.,  on  which  he  built  the  first  hewed  log  house  in 
the  county.  September  28,  1840,  he  married  Margaret  A.  Nevill,  of 
Maryland,  to  which  union  were  born  seven  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living — Samantha,  Hannah  J.  and  John.  Deceniber  1,  18(jl, 
Mr.  Leamon  entered  Company  K,  Sixty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  Second  Lieutenant,  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant, 
and  afterward  to  Caj^tain.  He  served  in  the  battle  of  Charleston, 
Mo.,  and  was  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  in  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
also  in  the  engagements  at  Savannah  and  Goldsboro,  and  continued 
in  the  service  until  the  war  was  ended.  Capt.  Leamon  is  now  livinof. 
on  his  farm  in  Grandville  Township.  He  is  a  general  farmer,  has  a^ 
good  a  farm  as  the  county  affords,  and  is  a  generall}'  respected 
citizen. 

JAMES  LExVMON  is  a  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Postlewait) 
leamon,  wdio  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  married  in  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  in  1818,  where  our  subject,  James  Leamon,  Avas  born 
February  21,  1824.  He  attended  school  and  worked  on  the  farm  of 
his  father  until  Octo])er  19,  1851,  when  he  married  INIartha  Holt, 
who  died  October  2!>,  18r)2,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Octo- 
ber 4,  18;)2,  Mr.  Leamon  moved  to  Grandville  Township,  Jaspei' 
County,  this  State,  and  settled  on  120  acres  of  land.  August  21, 
1853,  he  married  Catherine  Wheeler,  with  an  issue  of  nine  cliildrcn 
— Maiy  O.,  Ann  E.,  James  A.,  William  O.,  Lester,  Arthur,  Clarence, 
Adrian  andPnrton.  Mr.  Leamon  is  a  general  farmer  but  gives  some 
attention  to  stock.  He  is  in  i)olitics  a  Republican,  and  in  185(5  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  as  which  he  has  served  (except  for  four 
years)  until  the  i)resent  time.  He  has  also  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  is  possessed  of  a  fine  farm  of  400 
acres. 

WILLIAM  McCAIN  is  a  native  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio, 
was  born  December  24, 1841,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Dunn) 
McCain,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  who  moved  to  Coshocton  County, 
Ohio,  in  l.s;»4,  where  they  lived  on  a  farm.  William  McCain  w^as 
sent  to  school  at  i)eriods,  worked  on  his  father's  farm,  and  there 
remained  until  December  24,  18()3,  when  he  married  Mary  J., 
daughter  of  Joseph  W.  and  Mary  (Dean)  Porter,  and  born  January 
5,  1.S44.     This  union  produced  six  children,  of  which  number  four 


558  BiOGRAPinc.vi,  sketches — JASPER  county: 

arc  living — Lewis  C,  Adam  W.,  Lyman  T.  and  Dennis.  In  l.S(;4, 
Mr.  McCain  moved  to  Grandville,  Jasper  County,  where  he  located 
on  1(50  acres  of  new  land,  which  had  been  previously  entered  by  his 
fatlier.  It  is  now  a  well-improved  tract,  and  productive  and  well 
stocked — a  prooil  propert}'  and  a  desirable  home.  In  1^74  Mr.  McCain 
was  elected  Hiiiliway  Commissioner,  as  which  he  is  now  servinir  his 
third  term.  He  is  a  Master  Mason  of  Cooper  Lodge,  at  Willow  Hill, 
and  he  and  wife  are  irreatly  respected  in  the  communitv- 

WILLIAM  MARTIN  was  l)orn  April  15,  1&22,  in  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Cole)  Martin, 
natives  of  New  York  and  early  settlers  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio. 
William  passed  his  boyhood  in  attendance  at  school  and  in  labor  on 
the  farm  of  his  father.  November  27,  1.S42,  he  Avcdtled  Laura, 
daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Mary  (Keed)  Cramer,  by  which  marriage 
they  had  bestowed  upon  them  eleven  children,  of  which  number  live 
only  survive — E.  L.,  Mary  A.,  Oscar,  Elizabeth  Jane  and  Perry  F. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Martin  moved  to  and  entered  land  in  Jasper 
County,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  18(52  he  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  in  which  regiment  he  fought  at  the  battles  of  Farmington, 
Perryville  and  Chickamauga,  whereupon  the  regiment  was  mounted 
and  followed  Gen.  Sherman  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  engagements  at  Selma,  Ala.  and  Columbus,  Ga.  June, 
18lj5,  he  was  discharged  at  Nashville,  after  which  event  he  returned 
to  his  home  and  farm,  now  enibracing  10!)  acres  of  good  land,  and 
fairly  stocked.  Mr.  jNlartin  is  independent  in  politics,  and  a  respected 
and  upriaht  citizen. 

CHARLES  F.  INI.  I\IOKEY  was  born  in  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  June  2.'),  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Margaret 
(Colunib.i)  Morey,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York,  the  latter  of 
Massachusetts.  They  were  early  settlers  in  Ohio.  When  Charles 
was  a  child  his  parents  moved  to  Boone  County,  Ky.,  where  he  went 
to  subscri})tion  school  and  worked  for  his  father.  About  1850  ho 
moved  to  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1852  to  Illinois,  where  he 
farmed  until  18(50,  Soon  after  this  date  he  went  again  to  Indiana, 
and  August  18,  18(31,  married  Rachel  A.  Hopkins,  which  union  gave 
beinii-  to  seven  children — Frances  A,,  Edward  K.,  Ida  May,  ]\Iargaret 
C,  Jamos  E.,  Robert  B.  H.  and  ]Moflit.  August  13,  18(12^,  hecnlisted 
in  Company  I,  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which 
he  was  made  a  Corporal.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Hoover's 
Gap,  Chickamauga,  and  while  on  the  Wheeler  raid  was  M'ounded 
in  the  right  hand,  after  Avhich  event  he  served  as  company  clerk 
until  his  discjiargc,  July,  18(15,  He  followed  the  plow  for  some 
time,  and  in  1874  came  to  Grandville  Township,  Jasper  County, 
where  he  settled  on  135  acres,  constituting  a  gooil  farm,  which  he 
purchased  in  1872.  This  land  is  avcII  improved  and  stocked  with 
cattle,  hogs  and  sheep,  of  which  he  is  the  largest  shipi)er  in  the 
township,  Mr.  Morey  is  an  active  Republican,  and  in  1880  was  a 
candidate  for  Sherilf,  which  he  lost  by  a  small  majority;  he  has  been 


GRAXDVILLE   TOWNSHIP.  559 

Supervisor  siiio(»  1S74.     Mr.  Morey  is  a  M:istor  Misoii,   an  I  he  and 
wile  are  ainono-  tho  most  respocted  people  of  their  lu'iulihorhood. 

8IL.VS  D.  ODELL  is  a  native  of  Grandvillc  Township,  Jasper 
County,  111.,  was  b:)rn  Doc(Mni).:^r  18,  lS42,aul  is  the  son  of  Isaac  L. 
and  Tabitha  (Cramer)  O  lell,  who  were  pioneer  settlers  of  this  State. 
Our  subject  receiveil  some  schotjliiinf  each  year  and  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  until  Auorust,  18(12,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
One  Hundre  1  and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  R'\o:iment  Volunteer 
Infantry.  IL^  was  a  lifer  in  said  company  and  was  present  at  the 
battles  of  Perryville,  Cliickamaun-a,  Dallas,  Kencsaw  .Mountain, 
Jonesboro,  Hoover's  Gap,  Selma,  Columbus,  an  1  the  siesfc  of  Atlanta. 
After  his  discharije,  July  5,  1865,  he  returned  to  farming,  which  he 
was  unable  to  follow  in  consequence  of  the  effects  of  a  sunstroke 
receivetl  durinir  the  war.  October  1,  18(31),  he  married  Mary  A. 
Matheny,  who  die  1  September,  1874,  leavin<r  two  children — Lcjotii 
and  Adrian.  In  November,  187(5,  he  nnrried  ]Mary  Finney,  who 
likewise  bore  him  two  children — Lenna  E.  and  Clara  B.  As  an  ellect 
of  the  aforesaid  injury  he  nunoved  to  Grandvillc,  where  he  ()|)cned 
the  first  wood-repair  shop  in  said  place  and  in  which  he  has  been 
successful,  being  very  generally  esteemed.  j\Ir.  Olell  is  a  Republi- 
can and  has  six  times  been  elected  Township  Assessor;  he  has  also 
served  as  S'liool  Director,  and  is  a  charter  meml)er  and  one  of  the 
founders  of  C()l)lenz  Post,  Xo.  272,  G.  A.  R.  ^Irs  OJell  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church.  ^ 

HENRY  PLJRCELL  is  the  son  of  Amos  Purcell,  and  was  born 
in  Ohio  County,  lu'l.,  July  -2H,  18)3.').  When  quite  a  child  his  father 
moved  with  his  family  to  Missouri,  Avhore  our  subject  received  some 
schooling  and  Avorkcd  for  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  In  185;)  he 
returned  to  the  Sttite  of  his  birth  and  followed  the  business  of  a 
farmer.  In  1857  he  married  Annie  M.  Osborn,  who  die  1  July  4,  1879, 
leaving  four  children — Franklin  A.,  Simuel  A.,  John  W.  H.  and 
Churchill  E.  Mrs.  Purcell  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
C  lurch.  In  1.S51J  Mr.  Purcell  moved  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  and  in 
18  j'J  purchased  a  fi  le  farm  in  Grandvillc  Township,  which  he  culti- 
vate I  ami  improved.  March  !(>,  1881,  he  married  Cerilda  J.  Paving, 
who  died  September  20,  of  that  year,  a  member  of  the  jSIethodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Purcell  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Otter- 
bein  United  Brethren  Church. 

ELIAS  REICHARD  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  :\Iary  (Cramer) 
Reichard,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Mary- 
land, who  were  married  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  Our  sul)Ject 
first  .saw  the  Avorld's  light  Auirust  2'S,  1821,  in  the  State  of  Ohio, 
when;  he  attended  school  for  a  time,  also  worked  as  a  farmer  boy, 
and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  became  a  learner  of  the  carpenters' 
trade.  Mirch  2(),  1843,  he  married  Sophia,  daughter  of  Josei)h  Rich- 
ardson, of  jVIiamis))urg,  Ohio — a  union  favored  with  nine  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  living.  In  1845,  Mr.  Reichard  commenced  the 
business  of  wai^fon-building,  at  which  he  continued  many  years.  In 
18G7,  he  moved  to  this  county,  where  he  procured  100  acres  of  land 


560  BIOGRAPHICAL    .^KETCHES — JASPER   COUNT1-. 

ia  Section  13,  ii  portion  of  which  was  improved;  this  land  he  further 
improved  with  a  a'ood  house  and  other  uccessary  additions.  He  is  a 
mMicral  farmer,  also  raises  some  stock  and  tol)acco.  lie  is  a  member 
of  the  :Masonic  Fraternity,  and  likewise  an  Odd  Fellow.  Mr.  Reich- 
ardis  a  self-made  man,  an  upright  citizen,  and  a  Republican  in  the 
political  arena. 

FRANCIS  SHxVCKLEP:  is  a  son  of  Francis  and  Sarah  (Sparks) 
Shacklee,  the  lather  a  native  of  Germany,  the  mother  of  Marvland, 
who  were  married  in  Pennsylvania,  and  early  settled  in  Wayne 
Coiuitv,  Ohio,  where  our  subject  was  born,  :March  2i>,  1829.  When 
he  was  two  vears  of  age  his  father  died,  in  consequence  of  which  he 
was  privileged  to  obtain  but  little  scho(diug  at  thq  pioneer  fount- 
ains of  learning,  having  to  assist  his  mother  at  home.  In  l.STiO, 
they  moved  to  Jasper  County,  III.,  wherein  Deccml^er,  18:)2,  he  mar- 
ried Matilda,  daughter  of  Ludwell  W.  and  Sarah  Bailey,  Avliich 
union  was  productive  of  six  children — Lucy  A.,  ]\Iargaret  E.,  Sarah 
M.,  Jerome  B.,  Frances  L.,  and  Ludwell  W.  Mr.  Shiicklee  is  the 
owner  of  a  good  home  and  desirable  farm,  which  contains  155  acres, 
and  which  is  in  a  fair  state  of  cultivation  and  tolerably  well  supplied 
Avith  stock,  which  Mr.  Shacklee  mana^^esin  addition  to  general  farm- 
ing. He  is  in  politics  a  member  ot  the  Republican  party.  Mr. 
Shacklce's  mother  is  yet  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  and 

well  and  useful. 

FENDOL  P.  SNIDER,  is  a  native  of  Breckenridge  County,  Ky., 
Avas  born  November  13,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  P.  andVerlinda 
(Do well)  Snider,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  early  settlers  of  Ken- 
tucky, where  they  were  married,  (jur  subject  passed  his  youth  in 
attending  school  and  working  on  the  paternal  farm.  October  22, 
1849,  he  married  Theodosia  A",  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Norton,  of  Ken- 
tucky. In  1850,  Mr.  Snider,  moved  to  Grandville  Township,  Jasper 
County,  III.,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  with  the  means  he  had 
saved  by  his  labor,  built  a  log  house'and  commenced  improving  his 
land,  ile  has  now  an  excellent  farm  of  440  acres,  with  some  fine 
stock,  which  took  first  premium  at  the  NcAvton  County  Fair,  in  the 
autumn  of  1883.  In  18(56,  INIr.  Snider  built  the  first  two-story  house 
in  his  township.  He  is  a  Master  Mason  of  Cooper  Lodge,  at  A\'il- 
low  Hill,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Mr.  and  ^Mrs.  Snider  are  par- 
ents of  five  children— Georgia  A.,  Minerva  F.,  Millard  F.,  Brecken- 
ridge B.  and  Fendol  C.  (deceased). 


8MALLWOOD    TOWNSIIII".  561 


SMALLWOOD    TOWNSHIP. 

ABEL  AR^rSTRONG,  farmer  and  .stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Vir- 
fifinia,  in  181<S,  an  I  is  a  son  ofThomasand  flanc  (Bnriifess)  Arnistronof, 
natives  of  Virginia,  and  pioneers  of  Lo^an  Connty,  Ohio,  whither 
they  ciinie  in  183(5,  made  a  farm,  and  afterward  removed  to  Spring-- 
lield,  111.,  where  they  both  died.  Abel  lived  in  Ohio  nntil  1S4(), 
wlien  he  went  with  his  ]iarents  to  Sprinafield-  In  l.s.32  he  married 
^liss  Lncy  Sells,  who  cHed  one  year  later.  After  farming  on  land 
prcvionsly  owned  by  him,  he  pnr(  based  and  located  on  sixty-five 
acres  in  Shelby  Connty,  111.,  and  in  18.37,  married  his  second  wife, 
Miss  Julia  A.  Rol)ison,  who  also  died  after  three  years,  and  in  1869 
he  married  his  third  wife,  J\Irs.  Ann  Harvey,  which  union  gave  issue 
to  one  child,  Frances.  i\Ir.  Armstrong  has  120  acres  under  cul- 
tivation and  improved.  His  princi[)al  products  are  hay  and  corn;  he 
also  handles  usually  from  twenty- live  to  forty  head  of  cattle  each 
year. 

N.  BOLDREY,  merchant  and  general  store  keeper,  is  a  native 
of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  was  born  in  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Bold- 
rey.  The  school  advantage:?  of  our  subject  were  of  the  poorest  kind. 
When  he  was  nine  years  old  he  came  to  this  county,  where  in  1862, 
he  married  ]Miss  Lovina,  daughter  of  Garrison  Grove,  and  a  native 
of  Indiana.  Before  commencing  his  present  business,  in  1877,  he 
sold  goods  for  five  years  and  managed  a  mill  for  fifteen  years,  be- 
sides farming  to  some  extent.  He  has  now  a  good  trade,  which  he 
has  created  by  his  tact  for  serving  the  public  and  his  courteous  man- 
ner. Besides  this  he  has  built  several  buildings  in  addition  to  his 
own,  and  owns  a  half  interest  with  his  brother  in  a  saw-mill,  estab- 
lished in  1878.  ]Mr.  Boldrey  has  served  the  township  as  Collector 
one  term.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Boldrey  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  are  the  parents  of  two  children — James  A.  and  Sarah  M. 

THOMAS  BROWN,  farmer  and  teacher,  was  born  in  Jeft'ersoa 
County,  Ind.,  February  !»,  183."),  and  is  the  third  in  the  family  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Jackson)  Brown,  the  former  a  native  of  Scotland,  the 
latter  of  Tennes.see.  John  Brosvn  was  a  farmer  and  preacher  of  the 
Baptist  Church;  also,  a  pioneer  of  this  county,  where  he  located  in 
18')1;  he  and  his  wife  are  yet  living  past  their  "  three  score  and  ten" 
year.s.  Thomas  Brown,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  moved  with  his  parents 
to  this  county,  and  after  rec'-iving  a  fair  education  became  a  te;icher, 
which  he  followed  about  thirty  years,  being  now  one  of  the  oldest 
teachci-s  ill  the  county.  November  3,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Bridges,  a  native  of  Virginia.  In  1.S6S,  Mr.  Brown  located  on  forty 
acres  purchased  from  his  father,  and  which  he  has  increased  to  185 
acres,  with  comfortable  surroundings.  Mrs.  Brown  died  December 
11,  1871,  whereupon  he  married  Miss  Priscilla  Bridges,  sister  of  his 
deceased  wife.  They  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church, 


562  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTV: 

of  Avliicli  Mr.  Brown  is  an  ordained  niinistor.  Hr>  served  as  ,histieo 
of  the  Peace  one  year  by  a})poiiitinent,  and  was  afterward  elected  to 
said  otKce;  he  also  served  as  Township  Treasnrer  for  two  years,  and 
as  Clerk  one  year.  Mr.  Brown  has  three  children — Mary  (deceased), 
Minnie  and  Eddie. 

J.  J.  CALVIN,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Cinciiniati, 
Ohio,  in  l.S2(),  and  is  the  second  of  the  seven  children  of  Hinun  and 
Mary  (Jacobs)  Ctilvin,  natives,  respectivelj^  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky, 
■who  moved  to  Wayne  County,  111.,  in  18;)().  The  l)oyhood  of  our 
subject  Avas  passed  in  Edinl)uroh,  Ind.,  where  he  attended  school, 
began  reading  medicine,  and  passed  seven  years  in  study  and  prac- 
tice. In  Jmie,  185fi,  he  married  ]\Iiss  Catherine,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Wise,  and  niece  of  Governor  Wise,  of  Virginia,  to  Avhich  union  were 
born  four  children — AVilliam  C.,  Annie  M.,  James  and  Charles  H. 
After  this  event  Dr.  Calvin  lived  some  time  in  Wayne  County,  111., 
and  Williamsburgh,  Ind.,  and  came  to  his  present  location  in  1870, 
where  he  has  since  lived  and  practiced.  For  some  years  he  traveled 
and  practiced  the  treatment  of  chronic  diseases,  in  which  ho  was 
eminently  successful,  before  settling  on  his  farm.  In  18(51  he  enlisted 
in  the  three  months'  service,  and  in  1802,  in  the  Seventy-Ninth  Indi- 
ana Volunteer  Infantry,  soon  after  which  he  was  injured  by  being 
run  over  ])y  the  cavalry;  this  caused  his  .discharge,  in  January,  18G3, 
after  which  he  acted  as  Commissary  Sergeant.  INIrs.  Calvhi  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Besides  his  home  farm.  Dr.  Calvin 
is  owner  of  6-1 0  acres  in  Kansas,  and  thirty-six  in  Indiana. 

A.  FLEENER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Ind., 
was   born  in    1827,    and  is  a  son   of  John  and  M:iry  (Crissmore) 
Fleener,  the  former  a  native  of  Mtiryland,  the  latter  of  North  Caro- 
lina.    John  Fleener  was  a  farmer  and  pioneer  of  Washington  County, 
where  he  and  wife  ended  their  lives.     His  name  Avas  the  first  on  the 
Land  Office  register,  and  he  it  was  Avho  i)l:iced  a  roof  on  the  first 
log  ca})iii  in  the  State.     Our  subject  i)assed  his  boyhood  at  home, 
and  in  1849  married  Miss  Lydia  A.,  daughter  of  Henry  Greenwood, 
and  a  native  of  Virgini^i-     After  his  marriage  he  rented  land  for  one 
year,  then  purchase(i  eighty  acres  of  Avoodland,  where  he  residc^l  two 
years,  made  considerable  improvements,  then  sold  the   same,  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  unbroken  i)rairie,  and  removed  thereto  in  1847._ 
To  this  purchase  he  added  by  degrees  until  noAV  he  has  <)()0  acres  of 
as  good  and  Avell  cultivated  soil  as  lies  in  the  county.     ISIr.  Fleener 
handles  from  fen  to  iifteeu  mules,  and  about  100  head  of  cattle  every 
year;  he  also  raises  considerable  wlieiit,  corn  and  hay.    ]\Ir.  and  INIrs. 
Fleener  are  the  parents  of  ten  children,  viz.:  Margaret,  Martha, 
Narcissus,  Bruce,  Isabella,  Daniel,  Jacob  (deceased),  Nora,  George 
and   Elsie.     Mrs.  Fleener  is  a  member  of  the   iSIethodist  Episcoi)al 
Church. 

JOHN  A.  HEADY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Manh,  1815,  in  Switz- 
erland (Joimfy,  Ind.,  whore  he  was  also  reared,  and  is  the  second  of 
the  nine  children  of  lionjamin  and  Lydia  (SfcAvart)  Heady,  both 
natives  of   Kentucky  and   pioneers   of   this  county,  whither  tiiey 


SMALLWOOD  TOWNSHIP.  563 

removed  in  1852  and  located  near  Smalhvood  when  the  laud  was 
drear  and  waste,  and  where  they  passed  away — the  father  in  1870, 
the  mother  in  1872.  John  A.  Hoady  married,  in  1843,  Miss  Phehe, 
daiiahter  of  Ahijah  Grimes,  a  larijc  firmer  and  stock  raiser,  who 
died  ill  Vickshiiri>-  about  181)8.  This  union  produced  four  chihlren, 
Lois,  L3'dia,  Benjamin  A.  and  T.  C.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Heady  died 
in  1854,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  ]\lr.  Heady 
after  renliuo-  bind  for  several  years,  purchased,  in  1852,  eighty  acres 
of  his  present  farm,  then  in  a  wihl  and  barren  state;  but  lie  has  now 
recbiimed  and  improved  160  acres,  making  a  home  of  convenience 
and  of  value.     He  is  a  practical  man  and  a  much  respected  farmer. 

B.  A.  HEADY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind., 
in  the  year  1822,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  nine  chihhvn  of  Benjamin 
and  Lydia  Heady.  In  the  year  1818  our  subject  married,  in  Switz- 
erhind  County,  Miss  Margaret,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Girtzell 
Dow,  natives  of  Scotland,  who  located  and  died  in  Indiana.  Mr. 
Heady,  aft(M-  his  marriage,  rented  his  fither's  farm  for  three  years, 
after  which  he  purchased  KiO  acres  of  land  and  moved  thereon  in 
1852,  where  he  has  since  that  time  resided,  continued  to  improve  the 
farm,  and  is  now  surrounded  by  all  the  necessaries  and  many  com- 
forts of  a  farmer's  life.  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heady  htivel)cen  favored  with 
a  family  of  twelve  children,  viz.:  Girtzell  (deceased),  Thomas, 
Joseph  (deceased),  David,  Albert,  Ann,  Gilbert,  Marilla,  Elmer, 
Mary,  Flora  and  Sarah  (deceased).  Mr.  Heady  isja  valuable  and 
much  respected  citizen. 

PETER  JACKSOX,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Ohio, 
was  l)orn  Mirch  1,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Flick) 
Jackson.  John  Jackson  was  a  farmer  an  I  bhudvsmith,  as  well  as  a 
pioneer  of  Ohio.  Ha  and  wife  afterward  removed  to  this  county, 
where  they  came  to  their  lives'  end — the  former  in  August,  1851), 
and  the  latter  August  1!),  1870.  The  bovhood  of  Peter  was  passed 
m  this  county,  where  he  has  experienced  the  trials  of  a  pioneer,  and 
where  he  has  lived  since  1851.  In  18(59,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  J. 
Honey,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Honey,  a  ])ioneer  of  this  county  of  1849. 
This  union  was  productive  of  six  children — Iva,  Alta  B.,  Martha, 
Grace,  Nellie  P.  and  Rosa.  Mr.  Jackson  lived  upon  his  forty 
acre  farm  after  his  marriage,  to  which  possession  he  added  until  he 
has  now  187  acres  of  good,  arai)le  land.  Mr.  Jackson  has  served  as 
Township  Clerk,  Assessor  and  Supervisor  each  one  year,  and  is  now 
Collector,  which  he  has  filled  for  more  than  three  years;  he  was  also 
Township  Trustee  eleven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  ^ 

J.  H.  KELLAM  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  in  1839,  and 
IS  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Charity  Kellam.  Jesse  Kellam  was  a  farmer 
and  a  pioneer  of  Hush  County,  Ind.,  where  he  cleared  a  farm  and 
livel  until  18").S,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  this  county,  and  died 
April  19,  1883;  Mrs.  K^dlam  is  yet  living,  a  cripple  now  from  having 
lallen  upon  the  ice  during  last  winter.  Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood 
in  Indiana,  and  in  Auirust,  1852,  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Sixteenth 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.     At   Richmond  he  was    wounded  and 


564  BioGKAriiiCAL  sketchp:s — JASPEK  county: 

also  taken  captive,  held  six  weeks,  then  released,  and  airain  made 
captive  in  Louisiana  and  contined  in  Texas  for  nine  months.  lie 
participated  at  Vicksbur£f  and  many  other  notable  battles  and  skir- 
mishes, and  was  mustered  out  at  New  Orleans.  In  18G1,  he  married 
Miss  Ilattie,  daua-Jiter  of  John  P.  ILivens,  and  a  native  of  Indiana, 
which  union  produced  live  chiklren — Rush  C.,  Anna  M.,  Lizzie,  Bertie 
and  Royal.  Mr.  Kellam  moved  to  his  present  ]ilace  in  18»)G.  His 
wife  is  a  memlwr  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

A.  KELLAM,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  April  13,  1S41,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  seven  children  of  Jesse 
and  Charity  Kellam.  Jesse  Kellam  was  a  farmer  and  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Rush  County,  where  he  settled  as  early  as  1830  and 
cleared  and  made  a  farm,  on  which  our  subject  was  reared  and  lived 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  this  county,  where  he  has  made  his  home,  and  where  he 
married  Miss  Inda,  daiighter  of  C.  J.  R.  Monroe,  a  pioneer  of  Jeffer- 
son County,  Ind.,  which  union  has  l)een  productive  of  two  children, 
John  AV.  and  Edward  L.  Mr.  K(dlam  began  housekeeping  at  his 
present  home  in  18(>3,  which  covers  103  acres  of  prairie,  and  20  of 
timber  land,  and  which  conhiins  good  and  valuable  improvements. 
He  has  served  his  township  six  yejirs  as  Commissioner.  Mrs.  Kellam 
is  a  meml)er  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

THOMAS  J.  KIRK,  tarmer,  is  a  native  of  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
was  born  in  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Keziah  (Patterson)  Kirk, 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  James  Kirk  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  Craw- 
ford County,  111.,  in  1877,  where  ]\Irs.  Kirk  is  now  living  with  her 
son,  and  where  she  has  resided  since  18.52.  Thomas  J.  Kirk  ])assed 
his  early  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  after  receiving  an  ordinary 
school  education,  and  in  18G8,  married  INIiss  Selina  M.  Holmes,  a  native 
of  Crawford  County,  111.,  M'ith  an  issue  of  three  children — Lucy  K., 
James  A.  and  Lizzie  E.  O.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Kirk  moved  on  the 
eighty  acres  of  land  previously  owned  by  him.  This  he  afterward 
sold,  and  purchased  the  140  acres  which  comprise  his  present  farm 
and  home.  He  has  also  forty  acres  of  timber,  on  which  he  located  in 
18.S0,  the  place  being  well-improved,  and  having  especially  substan- 
tial buildings.  Mr.  Kirk  was  elected  Township  Supervisor,  in  the 
spring  of  1883,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Ei)is- 
copal  Church,  in  which  the  former  has  been  a  steward  for  one  year. 

GEORGE  M.  MANNING,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  was 
born  January  10,  18')4,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  B.  and  Mary  (Hughes)  Man- 
ning. J.  B.  Manning  was  by  occupation,  a  harness-maker,  and  later 
in  life  became  a  farmer,  but  had  followed  his  trade  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.  George  M.  Manning  ])asse(l  his  boyhood  in  Wayne  County,  and, 
with  his  i^arents,  removed  to  Illinois,  where,  in  l.S7!l,  he  married  Miss 
Minerva  llorton,  a  native  of  this  State.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Man- 
ning engaged  in  farming  his  present  land,  comprising  tifty  acres  of 
j)rairie  and  twenty  acres  of  timl)er.  Mr.  Manning  has  around  him 
the  comforts  of  life,  which  he  deserves  long  to  enj(\v.  He  and  wite 
are  members  of  th(^  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  parents  of  two 
children— Nellie  M.  and  Ella  B. 


GROVE   TOWXSIIIl*.  5G5 


GROVE    TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM  BADGER  was  born  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  Febru- 
ary 10,  l.s,"}l>,  and  was  the  eldest  ofsix  children  of  Stephen  and  Sabrina 
Badofor,  the  tbrnicr  a  native  of  New  ll.unpshire,  the  latter  of  Ohio. 
They  were  married  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  in  l-SoT,  afterward  settled 
in  Newton,  niakino*  various  moves,  and  improvin*):  vast  tracts  of  lands. 
He  died  in  1874,  September  7.  His  widow  still  survives.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketcji  was  married  I)ecem]:)cr  20,  bStJ  1,  to  Samantha, 
dauiihter  of  Sanuud  and  Clarissa  Barrett.  After  their  marriaijfe,  they 
settled  on  the  same  farm  where  they  now  live.  Five  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  viz.:  Minnie  A.  (deceased),  Carrie  L.,  Walter  L., 
Fannie  M.  (deceased)  and  Omer  R.  j\Ir.  Badger  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  tiie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ALBERT  GALLATIN  CALDWELL  was  one  of  the  largest 
farmers,  and  tlie  most  extensive  stock-dealer,  jierhaps,  in  Jasper 
County.  He  was  born  in  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  Jnh'  (>,  1821).  His 
parents  are  Robert  and  Jane  (Watts)  Caldwell,  the  former  a  native 
of  P.MHisylvania,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Robert  came  with  his  i)arent9 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio,  in  1808,  and  settled  on  a  half  section 
farm,  eight  miles  southeast  of  Circleville.  That  farm  is  still  owned 
by  Rol^ert's  brother,  John  Caldwell,  now  eighty-four  years  of  age, 
the  oldest  resident,  widely  and  favorably  known  in  his  (Pickaway) 
County,  Ohio.  Robert  Avas  married  in  Ohio,  April  'li,  1819,  came  to 
Vigo  County,  Ind.,  in  1823,  and  died  in  same  county,  in  1832.  Rob- 
ert and  Jane  Caldwell  had  two  children— Albert,  our  subject,  and 
Robert  Johnston.  The  latter  was  a  farmer,  well  educated,  and  was 
married  to  Hannah  Crews,  of  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  in  1854.  She  died 
April  30,  1856.  He  was  next  married  to  Sallie  Bright,  of  Cumber- 
land County,  111.,  September  23,  1857.  His  death  occurred  before  he 
was  married  a  week,  his  disease  being  much  like  that  of  cholera,  his 
age,  twenty-nine  years.  Rol)ert"s  widow  married  James  Beard.  She 
died  in  18G3.  Robert's  father,  William  Caldwell,  was  born  in  17G4. 
He  married  Jane  Moore,  November  28,  1781).  William  died  March 
20,  LS15.  Jane,  his  witc,  died  September  1,  1823.  Both  had  been 
consistent  members  (the  former  an  elder)  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
for  many  years.  These  parents  and  their  youngest  son,  Johnston, 
are  buried  in  the  Mount  Pleasant  cemetery  near  Kington,  Ross 
Comity,  Ohio.  These  parents  had  niue  children  (eight  sons  and  one 
daughter).  John,  above  referred  to,  is  the  only  one  now  known  to  be 
living.  Albert  G.  Caldwell,  our  subiect,  was  married  to  Lucv  A. 
Crews,  sister  of  Hannah  Crews,  before  referred  to,  February  3,  1848,  by 
whom  he  had  six  children — Robert  G.,  John  A.,  Hannah  C.,  Albert 
G.,  elsewhere  mentioned,  Elizal)eth  J.  and  Jane  A.  Elizabeth  J.  died 
December  23,  1855,  in  the  second  j'car  of  her  age;  James  A.,  died 
August  1,  185(5,  in  the  second  year  of  his  age;  Robert  J.,  died  June  30, 


566  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — JASPEU   COUNTY: 

1871,  in  the  twoiitv-third  year  of  his  a^o;  Hannali  C.,(lie(l  Docember 
13,  1<S7:^,  in  the  tweutv-secoiKl  year  ofherai^e.  Thi;  hist  name  1,  was 
the  wife  of  S  unuol  M  -Elhaney,  murried  M  ly,  1839.  One  ehihl,  Albart 
G.,  blessed  this  nnion.  Sh3  was  a  m^mb3r  of  the  M3tho  list  Epis.-o- 
pil  Church.  Lucy  Ann,  the  wife  and  mother,  died  May  8,  18")i),  in 
her  twenty-ninth  year.  John  A.  wasmarrie  1,  July  14,  l'S82,  to  Anna 
Gor  Ion,  of  Texas.  Lucy  Is  ibel  is  their  child.  All)ert  G.,  th?  father, 
was  next  married,  September  3J,  1857,  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  J.  ( Wag-le) 
Arnold,  of  this  county.  She  was  the  widow  of  John  W.  F.  Arnold, 
who  die  1  February  4,  18  )3.  H  n-  chil  Iren  are,  Jonathan,  P.ieb  >,  and 
J.  Fletcher  Arnold.  Jonathan  was  mirried  in  1871,  to  S:irah  01  irk, 
of  ElKng-ham  County.  Lillie  and  Fletcher  are  th-^ir  children. 
Fletcher  was  married  December,  187(5,  to  D  dla  Barton,  of  Jasper 
County.  Edward  and  Euijene,  are  their  children.  Phcbo  is  at  the 
home  place  with  her  mother.  To  Albert  G.  aud  Rebecca  J.  C  ildwell, 
were  born  Lonisa  J.,  Missouri  C.,  an  1  Lucy  Ellen.  Louisa  died 
November  7,  1877,  in  her  twentieth  year.  M  ssouri  C.  is  the  wife 
of  Philip  Mason,  married  October  10,  1883.  Albert,  th^  f.ither,  died 
April  23,  188).  The  latter  had  a  sfoo  I  common  school  education. 
H3  was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  about  seventeen 
years,  Avas  put  to  the  cooper  trade.  Ha  followed  this  business  for 
about  five  years.  He  then  again  began  working  on  the  farm  i)ur- 
chasod  by  his  father.  This  farm  contained  32.)  acres,  was  located  on 
Honey  Creek  prairie,  a  few  miles  southeast  of  Terre  Haute,  and 
changed  hands  about  the  year  1876,  at  $130  per  acre.  He  continued 
on  this  farm  until  the  year  18.54,  Avhen  he  moved  to  Coles  County, 
111.,  near  Douglas,  on  a  farm.  He  remained  there  about  three  years, 
then  moved  to  Jasper  County,  near  Island  Grove,  Grove  Township. 
He  tralcd,  in  partnership  with  James  Crews  (his  brothn'-in-law) 
until  18VJ,  when  each  began  business  for  himself.  Mr.  Caldwell  was 
remarkably  successful  in  lousiness.  At  his  death  he  owned  more  than 
1,500  acres  of  land,  170  head  of  cattle,  150  head  of  hogs,  eight  head 
of  work  horses,  besides  other  stock  and  money.  He  was  kind  to  the 
poor,  and  gave  liberally  to  churches  ot  all  denominations,  and  worthy 
enterprises.  Ho  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  citizcMis  of  his 
county,  and  several  times  was  urged  to  accei)t  the  nomination  (the 
nomination  being  equal  to  an  election)  of  Ropresentative  to  the  S'ate 
Legislature.  Mr.  C.  was  a  man  of  positive  convictions,  scrupulously 
honest  in  all  he  did,  kind  and  obliging  to  the  greatest  extreme,  loved 
and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  was  a  busy,  useful  and  suc- 
cessful life.  No  one  in  the  county,  perhaps,  h:id  more  friends  or 
fewer  enemies.  He  was  a  member  of  Newton  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
in  politics  a  Democrat. 

Alukut  Gaudnkr  Caldwkij..  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was 
born  in  Jasper  County,  111.  His  parents  were  Alb-rt  G.  and 
Lucy  A.  (Crews)  Caldwell,  elsewhere  mentioned.  Albert  G.,  the 
snbj(H-t  of  this  sketch,  had  a  good  common  school  education.  Work- 
ing on  the  farm  and  attending  school  were  his  occupation  during  his 
boyhood  days.     He  was  married,  December  2, 1875,  to  Alice  Robert- 


GKOVE   TOWNSHIP.  507 

son,  of  this  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Robecra  Kobortson, 
well  and  favorably  known  in  Indiniia.  They  now  live  in  Texas. 
Robert  J.  Miicl  Lney  A.  are  their  ehildren.  Mr.  C  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  business,  as  he  now  owns  DO  'acres  of  laud,  7(10  of  which  are 
well  improved.;  He  has  on  hand  at  present  writing  J  2,5  head  of  cattle, 
42  head  of  horses,  16  mules  and  40  head  of  hogs.  He  has  a  pleasant, 
h;ippy  houie,  has  a  flatteriug  pros])ect  before  him  and  may  well  be 
classed  among  the  wealthy,  influential  and  responsible  citizens  of  the 
county.  He  has  an  eye  to  business,  and  is  always  ready  to  buy  Avhen 
the  i)rice  suits  him.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

REBKCCA  J.  CALDWELL,  (wife  ot  Albert  G.  Caldwell, 
deceased),  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky.,  Februnry  L"),  1,S27, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Asa  and  Cassandra  AVagle,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky.  Her  mother  died  in  1827  and  her  lather  married  Phoebe 
Rickman,  and  in  1840  moved  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  where  he  died 
in  1877.  R-becca  was  married  to  Fletcher  Arnold,  January  10, 
1842,  and  settled  in  Grove  Township,  where  he  died  February  4, 
185H.  Her  second  marriage  occurred  Septendier  30,  1857,  to  Albert 
G.  Cahfwell.  Her  children  are  as  follows:  Jonathan  A.,  Phoebe  and 
John  F.,  children  of  Mr.  Arnold,  and  Elizabeth  (deceased);  Missouri 
C  and  Lucy  E.,  children  by  Mr.  Caldwell. 

JAMES  L.  CREAVS  was  born  near  Terre  Haute,  Vigo  Co., 
Ind ,  November  14,  182.'),  and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  R. 
Crews,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
The  grandfather,  James  Crews,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  born 
in  Virginia  and  settling  in  Tennessee  at  an  early  ]5erio(l,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death.  He  raised  a  large  family,  among  whom 
were  six  sons.  His  son,  John,  the?  father  of  our  subject,  came  to 
Vigo  County,  Lid.,  about  the  year  1820.  remaining  tliere  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  l.s7(i.  His  wife  survives,  aged  eighty-six 
years.  Their  son  James  settled  in  Jasper  County,  III.,  in  18:>0, 'pur- 
chasing a  small  tract  of  laud  and  connnencing  the  business  of  stock- 
raising,  in  which  he  has  been  ver\^  successfuj,  being  now  one  of  the 
most  extensive  dealers  in  stock  in  Jasper  County  and  owning  a  large 
farm  of  1,400  acres.  Mr.  Crews  was  married  September  ill,  1850, 
to  Mary  A.  Green,  of  Cumberlantj  County,  III.  Eleven  (diildrcn 
were  born  to  this  union,  viz.:  John  (deceased).  Ma rv,  Franklin, 
Harriet,  Alexander  (deceased),  David,  Lucy  A.,  ElUfM.,  James, 
Maria  (deceased)  and  Joseph,  (deceased;.  Mrs.  Crews  died  Febru- 
ary (),  188;}.  Mr.  Crews  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  a  worthy  citizen. 

JOHN  T.  HAXXA  was  born  in  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  Octo- 
ber 9,  1821),  and  Avas  the  son  of  Albert  G.  and  Marv  (Stoops)  Hanna, 
the  former  a  native  of  Indiana,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  The  grand- 
parents ()f  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  natives  of  IVorth  oTrolina 
but  emiiiiated  to  Indiana  at  an  early  period,  locatinirin  what  is  now 
Union  County,  afterwards  moving^  to  Carroll  Countv,  where  they 
died.  John  Ilanna's  father  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of 
thirteen  children.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  Septem- 


568  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER   COUNTY: 

ber  (!,  1858,  to  Catherine  E.,  daughter  of  James  T.  and  Elizabeth 
Morris.  Eight  chihlren  were  l)()rn  to  this  union,  viz.:  Mary  E. 
(deceased),  Emma  M.,  Anna  B.,  Clara  A.,  Morris  W.,  Eva  E. 
(deceased),  Alvira  E.  and  TJllie  I.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ilanna 
resided  in  Carroll  County,  lud.,  until  18(30,  when  he  moved  to  Jasper 
County,  111.,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

C.  G.  HESS  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  October  5, 
1829,  and  was  the  second  in  a  family  of  twelve  children  of  David  L. 
and  Ann  V.  (Grove)  Hess,  the  former  a  native  of  Maryland,  the 
latter  of  Virginia.  The  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  a  native  of  Germany  and  emigrated  to  America  in  an  early  day, 
settlins:  in  ^Maryland,  where  he  raised  his  family,  from  which  State 
David  L.  moved  in  1S28  to  ^Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  C.  G.  Hess 
was  married  September  29,  1864,  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Kancy  Dawson,  a  native  of  Brown  County,  111.  Five  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union,  viz.:  David  L.,  Annie  L.,  Robert  D.,  Ida 
V.  and  Emma  E.  Mr.  Hess  has  been  a  resident  of  Jasper  County, 
111.,  since  1867,  and  is  much  respected  and  has  an  interestins:  familv- 

WILLIAM  C.  JUNIOR  was  born  in  Spencer  County,  Ky., 
October  18,  1820,  and  was  the  eldest  often  children  of  Joshua  and 
Elizabeth  (Romine)  Junior,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the 
latter  of  Kentucky.  In  1830  William  came  with  his  parents  to  Vigo 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  lived  several  yeai^s,  and  where  he  was  mar- 
ried March  4,  1844,  to  Margaret  J.,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
Beard.  In  1855  Mr.  Junior  moved  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  and  pur- 
chased the  same  farm  Avhere  he  now  lives,  and  has  developed  fnmi 
wild  land  a  finely  improved  farm  of  180  acres.  Seven  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union,  viz.:  Elizabeth  J.  born  April  26,  1846, 
died  September  3,1848;  Rebecca  A.  born  November  1,  1849;  Sarah 
A.,  December  14,  1851,  died  September  20,  1852;  Alice  B.  born  Jan- 
uary 7,  1854;  Martha  J.,  born  FelH-uary  29,  1856,  Lucy  E.,born  May 
28,  1858,  and  an  infant  daughter  unnamed,  born  and  died  September 
26,  1861.  Mrs.  Junior  die(i  June  10,  1878.  Mr.  Junior  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  an  esteemed  citizen. 

MATHEW  ^lEINHART  was  born  in  Ui)per  Austria,  March 
6,  1838,  and  was  third  in  a  family  of  seven  children  of  Mathias  and 
Turissa  (Krois)  Meinhart,  both  natives  of  Austria.  In  1860,  the 
family  emigrated  to  America,  settling  first  in  Stephenson  County, 
111.,  afterward  moving  to  Jasper  County,where Mathias  now  lives.  His 
wife  died  in  1865.  Mathew,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  emigrated 
to  America  in  1857,  landing  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained 
until  the  following  year,  when  he  came  to  Stephenson  County,  111., 
and  in  l'S()5  came  to  Jas])er  County  and  jiundiased  land  Avhere  he 
still  resides,  being  now  a  ])rosper()Us  farmer  with  260  acres  of  land, 
well  improved.  Mr.  Meinhart  Avas  married  September  13,  1880,  to  I 
Ann  M.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Caroline  AVeishaar,  a  native  of  1 
Germanv.     One  child  has  been  born  to  this  marriaii:e,  viz.:  Jacob  F. 

DR;  S.  B.  :\IErHEXY  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
March  22,  1830,  and  was  a  son  of  James  and  Rhoda  (Bell)  Mctheny, 


GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  569 

the  former  a  native  of  Vir£rinia,  the  hitter  of  Ohio.  The  irraiulfathcr 
of  Dr.  ]Meth(Miy  lived  in  Viririnia  in  1770,  and  renminc*!  there  until 
1820,  when  he  moved  to  Lickinij:  County,  Ohio,  thence,  in  184(5,  to 
Jasper  County,  111.,  where  he  died  in  18r)l.  Dr.  Metheny's  father 
died  in  184J)  in  Grove  Township,  and  his  widow  marrie(l  Thomas 
AVisomore,  and  died  in  IS")].  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  appren- 
ticed in  1849  to  the  car})enters'  trade,  which  l)usiness  he  ])ursued  for 
several  yeni-s.  He  was  married  March  29,  1849,  to  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Joso|)h  and  ]Mary  Soven,  and  a  native  of  Hancock  Co.,  Ind.  In  1855, 
]\Ir.  Metheny  beoan  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Norman  Corn- 
stock.  After  readinof  three  years,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Ilarrisburir,  Jasper  County,  remaining  there  until  1871. 
He  then  moved  to  Grove  Township,  where  he  successfully  prac- 
tices his  profession.  Ten  children  have  been  born,  to  him,  viz.:  Nor- 
man, Joseph  H.  (deceased),  Ileman  S.,  ]\hiry  J.,  George  AV.,  Jona- 
tiian  C.,  James  A.,  Nancy  A.  (deceased),  Samuel  K.  and  Sarah  E. 

PETKR  jNIYERS  was  l)orn  in  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  December 
24,  183."),  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  Myers.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  twenty-six  years  of  age,  Aviien  he  began  life  for 
himself.  Mr.  Myers  Avas  married  August  (>,  1861,  to  Susan,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Krout,  of  Fountiiin  County,  Ind.,  in  which  county 
he  resideJ,  working  at  the  blacksmiths'  trade  until  1873,  when  he 
removed  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  settling  on  a  farm,  where  he  now 
resides.  Ten  children  have  l)een  l)orn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers,  viz.  : 
Ephraim,  intant  son  unnamed  (deceased),  Austin  (deceased),  infant 
daughter  unnamed  (deceased),  Nettie  V.,  Charles  O.,  Rosie  A.,  Stella 
L.,  Harry  C.  and  Clara  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church. 

DR.  N.  D.  MYERS  was  born  in  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1843,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Fine)  Myers, 
the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the.  latter  of  North  Carolina,  and 
ot  Gorman  lineage.  His  grandfather  emigrated  from  (iermany  to 
America  ])efore  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  participated  in  that 
struggle,  dying  in  1792.  The  father  of  our  subject  came  to  Fountain 
County,  Ind.,  in  1829,  and  engaged  in  farming,  also  devoting  some 
time  to  mercantile  pursuits  and  saw-milling.  Here  he  married,  and 
with  his  wife  now  resides  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  they  having  lived 
together  fifty-one  years.  Dr.  Myers,  after  availing  himself  of  all  the 
advantages  of  the  district  school,  entered  Harmonia  College,  Rus- 
sellville,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  three  terms,  after  which  he  entered 
the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  taking  a  scientific  course. 
He  afterward  engaged  in  teaching,  and  in  the  spring  of  1868  began 
the  study  of  medicine  with  A.  T.  Steele,  of  Wavelaiid,  Ind.,  reading 
two  years.  He  then  entered  Rush  Medical  College,  (Jhicago,  but 
that  institution  Ix'ing  burned  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he 
received  his  dii)lonia  March  1,  1872.  He  practiced  medicine  first  in 
Veedersburg,  Ind.,  afterwards  in  Brownsville,  Ind.  His  marriaire 
occurred  at  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  March  13,  1873,  to  Mattie  J., 
daughter  of  Sanniel  and  Sarah  A,  Ward.    Three  children  have  been 


570 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 


born  to  this  marriage,  viz.:  Bessie  L.,  Minnie  M.  and  Luln  P.  Dr. 
Myers  has  resided  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  since  1874,  and  is  an 
esteemed  citizen  and  skillful  physician. 

JOHN  SOWERS  was  a  son  of  Noah  and  Catherine  (Griffith) 
Sowers.ljotli  natives  of  Page  County,Va., where  they  were  married,  and 
from  wlience  they  moved  in  1844  to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  going 
thence,  in  184!),  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  where  the  father  died  in  18r)3. 
The  mother  still  survives.  John  was  the  eldest  of  nine  children. 
He  was  married  February  2,  18rj3,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Reuben 
and  ]\Iary  Carr.  He  lived  in  Crooked  Creek  Township  on  a  farm  of 
his  father-in-law's  until  18(55,  when  he  moved  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns  and  occupies,  consisting  of  1(10  acres  of  land  under  ij-ood  cul- 
tivation. Nine  children  have  been  born  to  them,  A'iz.:  James  W. 
(deceased),  an  infant  son  unnamed  (deceased),  Mnry  J.,  John  H., 
Martha  C.,  Christian  C,  Reuben  H.,  William  T.  and  Owen.  Mr. 
Sowers  is  <Mie  of  the  progressive  and  eneroetic  men  of  Jasper  County. 

x\LEXxVNDER  WALLACE  was  l)orn  in  Orange  County,  Ind., 
June  23,  1836,  and  was  one  of  ten  children  born  to  James  H.  and 
Serena  AVallace,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but  moving  with 
his  parents  to  Indiana,  where  his  marriage  occurred,  and  thence  in 
1850  to  Jasper  County,  111.,  where  he  died.  The  son,  Alexander, 
was  married  April  2,  1857,  to  Clarinda  J.,  widow  of  Elisha  Wilson 
and  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Eveline  Goodwine.  Since  his  mar- 
riage he  has  lived  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  all  the  time  except  one 
year.  Nine  children  have  been  born  to  this  marriage,  viz.:  John,  J., 
Millard  F.,  Ellen  (deceased),  Charles  (deceased),  Alvin  (deceased), 
Theodore  (deceased),  W^arrcn  (deceased),  Effi^e  and  Byron. 


Jkj-^\ 


NOUIII     MIDDV    TOWNS]  I  ir.  T)?! 


NORTH    MUDDY    TOWNSHIP. 


ANDERSON  BUKNSIDKS  \va,s  horn  in  J:u'k,soii  County,  Ohio, 
January    17,  l<s3i»,  and    cauu!   to   this  county   in  18,3!).     In  'l8(>l,  he 
j       enlisted  in  Company  K,  Thirty-Eiirhth  Illinois  Infantry,  served  until 
l<St);},  and  was  Mounded  at  Stone  River.     Doceniber  2U,'l8li(),  he  mar- 
ried   Miss   Utichel  Foster,  dauo-htor  of  ThoniMs  and    Mary  (Trexler) 
F'oster.     This  lady  died  in  18(icS,  and   December  ,S.   l.sii'l/Mr.  Burn- 
j      sides  uiarried  Rebecca  E.  Smith,  daughter  of  Benjamin  E.  and  Anna 
I       E.  (Eu<rlish)  Smith,  and  l)()rn  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  in   1849. 
To  this  nnion  were   born  Merritt.  vSept(;mber   13,  r870;   Wiiuiie  and 
Minnie  (twins),  August  (i,  187:!,  and  Rachel  N.,  August   18,  1875. 
John  Burnsides,  father  of  our  subject,  was  boru  in  Virginia  iu  1811, 
Avent  to  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  at  the  age  of  four,  and  iu  1835  mar- 
ried   Richej   Jacobs,  born  in   1814,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Susan 
(Trexkn-)  Jacobs.     This   couple   reared  to 'maturity  the  follownng 
<-hildren:  Susannah,  born  in  183();  Anderson,  in  1831);  J.  T.,  in  1841; 
Hugh,  in  1844;  S.  G.,  in  184l),  and  Filena,  in  1841).     John  Burnsides 
<Mme  to  Jasi)er  County  in  1850,  and  settled  on  420  acres,  and  enttn-ed 
anotiier  tract  in  l8()3,^ind  thi;  father  of  the  wife  of  our  subject,  Ben- 
jamin Smith,  came  here  in  1838. 

DR.  J.  C.  CHAPMAN,  physician  and  surgeon,  of  Wheeler,  was 
born  in  this  county  October  li),  1855,  and  here'reared  on  a  farm  until 
the  age.  of  sixteen.  His  determination  to  become  a  physician  was 
formed  in  childhood,  and  when  but  twelve  years  old  iu;  began  to 
prepare  himself  by  study  for  the  responsibilities  of  that  profession. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  began  teaching  school,  still  devoting  his 
leisure  hours  to  the  study  of  medicine.  '  H(!  took  a  teacher's  course 
at  the  college  of  Valparaiso,  attended  Merom  College,  and  reatl  med- 
icine with  Drs.  J.  H.  Walker,  Maxwell  and  Faller,  all  eminent  prac- 
titioners of  Newton.*  He  next  entered  the  American  Medical  Col- 
lege at  Saint  Louis,  and  graduate:!,  after  a  three  years'  course,  in 
1879.  He  practiced  at  Island  Grove,  and  at  Dieterich,  and  then,  in 
1882,  came  to  Wheeler,  where  he  lias  an  extensive  patronage  and  is 
also  interested  in  the  drug  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Centen- 
nial Medical  Society  and  also  of  the  Society  of  Physicians  of  Jasper 
County.  May  1,  1880,  he  marri(Ml  Miss  Frances,  daughter  of  W.  J. 
and  Elizabeth  (Ireland)  Madden,  and  to  their  union  have  been  born 
two  children,  Eva  and  Nellie. 

II.  II.  DIETZ,  the  second  of  four  children,  born  to  Benjamin 
nnd  Phebc  (McLin)  Dietz,  is  a  native  of  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  February  13,  1817.  He  was  educated  at  Plcasantville,and 
May  5,  18(J4,  married  Miss  Sarah  Beery,  daughter  of  C.  M.  and  Bar- 
bara (Hubs)  Beery;  to  this  marriage  have  been  born  four  children — 
Beery  B.,  Cora  B.,  Perdie  C  and  Harley  G.  Mr.  Dietz  came  to 
Jasper  County  in  the  fall  of  1870,   bought  200  acres  of  land  which 


3.5 


572  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES— JASPEU    COUNTY: 

he  farmed  until  1.S82,  when  he  entered  the  mereantih'  business  at 
Wheeler,  where  he  is  now  d()in<j:  a  prosperous  trade.  Mr.  Dietz's 
father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  C  M.  Beery,  father  of  Mrs. 
Dietz,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1S18. 

CAPTALX  WILLIAM  C  GILLSON  is  a  native  of  Calcutta, 
was  born  in  1S3'),  and  eame  to  America  when  ten  years  of  aiie.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  Ford  County,  111.,  and  April  2'),  18(jl, 
enlisted  in  Company  K,  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  .sen- ed  as 
private  until  1^(1:3,  when  he  w^as  promoted  First  Lieutenant,  and  in 
September,  18(i4,  promoted  Captain.  He  took  part  in  seven  severe 
battles  and  was  wounded  at  Pittsbnrof  Landiuir,  Follow  Bluff  and 
Altoona.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.,  after  which  he 
went  to  Kentucky,  where  he  married,  in  1865.  Miss  H.  A.  AN'inter, 
dauo-hter  of  William  and  Nancy  (Seirman)  Winter,  l)orn  respectively 
in  England  and  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  same  year,  171)51.  Mi's.  Nancy 
Winter  is  still  living,  and  makes  her  home  with  our  subject.  ]\Ir.  and 
Mrs.Gillson  have  had  born  to  them  seven  children— Nancy  ,1.  (de- 
ceased), Neonia  D.,  Thomas  W.,  William  K.,  Edward  A.,  Mary  N.  and 

Aaron  D. 

CAPTAIN   W.  C.  HARNED  was  born  in  Bond  County,  111., 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  attended  school  until  18G1,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Twenty-Second   Illinois  Infantry,  served  one   year, 
was  discharged  on   account  of  disability,  returned  home  and  re-en- 
tered the  army  in  July,  18(52,  as  Second' Lieutenant  of  Company  E, 
One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Regiment.     He  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,   Black  River,  siege  of  Vicksburg 
and  the  campaign  after  Jackson.     He  was  captured,  with  the  rest 
of  his  reo-iment,  April  8,  18()4,  and  was  held  prisoner  at  Camp  Ford, 
Texas,  until  June,  18(55.     He  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant  in  Feb- 
ruary, 18(53,  and  Captain   while  prisoner  of  war.     In  18(57,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Isabel  McKenzie,  who  died  February  U,  1808,  leaving  one 
child— George.     In   1871,  he  married   Miss  Isiibel  File,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  whose  parents  settled  in  Bond  County  in  1818.     Her  grand- 
father, Henry  File,  established  the  first  distillery  in  Bond  County  in 
IHIJ).     By  his  last  marriage  the  Captain  became  father  of  six  chil- 
tlren- Julia,  Matilda,  Nora',  Jennie,  AN'illiam   and  one  that  died  un- 
named.    John  W.  Ilarned,  father  of  the  Captain,  was  born  in  Texas 
while  it  yet  belonged  to  Mexico,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Mad- 
ison County  about  l-SSO.     In  January,  1842,  he  married  Mary  Matilda 
Nelson,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (McLain)  Nelson,  and  to  their 
union  were  born  nine  children,  all  of  whom  reached  maturity. 

L.  S.  LOLLAR  was  born  in  1858,  in  Clay  County,  111.,  where 
he  was  reared  to  fanning  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  until 
seventeen  years  of  aiic.  In  1881,  he  married  Miss  Denia  Ward, 
daughter  of  W.  H.and  Susannah  (  Burnsides)  Ward,  natives  of  Ohio- 
There  has  been  l)()rn  one  child  to  this  union — Lola  Mabel. 

G.  II.  MERCER  was  born  in  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  in  184(5. 
wa.s  reared  a  farmer  and  was  educated  in  the  common  .schools  until 
Beventeen  years  old;  he  then  went  with  his  parents  to  Adams  County, 


NORTH    MUDDY    IXJWNSIIIP.  573 

lud.,  residiHl  then'  four  years,  ivtiirnod  to  Ohio,  :ui(l  in  hS*),'},  came  to 
Jasper  County.  In  18G4,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
Third  Illinois  Infantry  and  served  six  months;  he  then  returned  to 
this  county,  but  after  a  short  stjiy  visited  Oiiio;  in  I860,  he  came 
back  and  purchased  sixty  acres  and  is  now  eniraiied  in  farininij:.  In 
187l',  he  nuirried  Marijaret  E.  Varvil,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  in 
18.")!,  and  who  was  but  one  year  old  when  she  came  to  this  county 
with  her  parents,  Jolm  and  Nancy  (McCollou,<>h)  Varvil,  natives  of 
Kentucky.  Mr.  jMercer  is  now  the  father  of  tive  children — Annie 
A.,  James  A.,  Henry  B.,  Louisa  J.  and  Mary  E.  Joseph  Mercer, 
father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  married 
Annie  Day,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  who  bore  him  thirteen  children — 
Louisa,  J.  M.,  ;Mary  J.,  Comfort,  Rei)ecca,  Robert,  iNIarion  F.,  Jolm 
A.,  G.  W.,  Winfield,  Portncr,  Hannah  and  William  S. 

JONATHAN  TREXLER  was  born  in  Jackson  County,  Ohio, 
Novendjer  23,  1840,  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  came  with  his  "parents 
to  this  county,  where  he  was  reared  to  farmiiiir  and  educated  in  the 
connnon  schools  until  nineteen.  In  18G1,  heeidisted  in  Company  K, 
Thirty-Eio:hth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  fouirht  at  Corinth,  Perryville, 
Stone  River,  Knob  Gap,  Liberty  Gap  andChi(;kamauga;he  was  four 
times  wounded,  and  was  honorably  discharo:(id  at  Sin-inofiold,  Illinois, 
in  18(J4.  He  married,  Auiriist  23,  18()f),  Miss  S.  A.  Cather,  dauo-hter 
of  N.  T.  and  Cynthia  (Fields)  Cather,  natives  of  Indiana  and  North 
Carolina,  and  early  settlei*s  of  Jasper  County.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Trexler 
hav(^  had  born  to  them  four  children,  namely,  Lillie  M.,  Minnie  O., 
Merritt  and  Vernon  C  The  father  of  our  subject,  Jolm  Trexler, 
was  an  early  settler  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Jackson  County, 
Ohio,  in  181(j,  and  in  1837,  man-iecl  Mary  Dixon,  born  January  2S, 
1817,  and  dauo-hter  of  Eli  and  Elizabeth  (Graham)  Dixon.  She 
died  -January  29,  1860,  the  mother  of  eight  children,  our  subject 
being  the  second.  Mr.  Trexler  next  man-ied  Polly  Ann  Dobbins, 
who  bore  him  five  children  and  died  May  26,  1883. 

ALEXANDER  WILSON,  Township  Supervisor,  was  born  in 
1831,  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  but  was  reared  a  farmer  in  Put- 
nam County.  In  18r)l,  he  nuirried  Miss  Emily  C,  daughter  of  Ni(^h- 
olas  and  Susannah  (Gatan)  Conett,  and  born  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  in  1835.  Ten  children  followed  this  union — Julia  A.,  Sarah 
J.,  Susan  C.,  Abel  A.,  Fenton  E.,  Phebe,  Eli/a,  Orlena,  Lucy, 
and  one  deceased.  Abel  Wilson,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  and  was  a  son  of  Alexander  and  Sarah  (Lucas)  Wilson — 
the  former  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Abel  Wilson  married,  in 
Washington  County,  Ind.,  Julia  Holsapple,  daughter  of  Georgt;  and 
Phebe  (Hul)bard)  Holsapi)le,  and  to  their  imion  were  born  six  chil- 
dren— George  W.,  William,  John,  Lucy,  Sarah  ,J.,  and  Alexander. 
Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and  bought 
216  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  since  increased  to  416  acres.  He  has 
served  as  Supervisor  of  his  township  since  1879,  has  never  sued  a 
man  nor  been  sued,  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  and  the 
Christian  Church,  and  is  a  conserv.itive  Democrat. 


574  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKKTCHES— JASPER    COUNTY: 


SOUTH  MUDDY  TOWNSHIP. 


ISAAC  JOHNSON  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Guernsey 
County,  July  3,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Eng- 
lish) Johnson,  also  natives  of  the  Buekej'e  State.  David  Johnson 
havinir  died  in  Ohio,  his  widow  moved  to  Iowa,  and  thenee  to  Kan- 
sas, where  she  also  died.  Isaac  Johnson  was  reared  to  tanning  by 
his  parents,  and  in  Pennsylvania,  June  19,  1854,  he  married  Esther, 
daughter  of  Enos  Gallaway,  a  physician,  farmer,  and  miller.  He 
farmed  on  rented  land  in  Ohio,  until  about  I<S(i7,  when  he  came  to  his 
present  farm,  renteil  it  for  two  years,  and  then  purchased  it.  He  now 
owns  150  acres  of  superior  land,  and  is  a  very  successful  farmer.  He 
has  ten  children  living,  as  follows:  Mary  E.,  Lucinda  J.,  Ruth  M., 
Lona,  Rosalie,  II.  Annis,  Albert  H.,  Eva,  Smith  E.  and  Delia  E. 

JOHN  H.  MAHANEY,  Supervisor,  was  born  in  Page  County, 
Va.,  Jime  24,  1850,  and  is  a*  son  of  Ezra  and  Ann  Eliza  Mahaney, 
also  natives  of  Virginia.  Our  subject  spent  his  early  boyhood  in 
Indiana,  until  the  fall  of  18G2,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois,  and  was  here  reared  a  farmer.  In  December,  1871,  he  mar- 
ried Rachel  D.,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Ward.  Mr.  Ward,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  was  a  farmer  and  a  pioneer  of  Jackson  County, 
Ohio,  but  died  in  Illinois.  Mrs.  Ward  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  died 
in  that  Stiite.  Four  years  after  his  arrival  in  Illinois,  John  II.  Maha- 
ney resided  in  North  Muddy,  and  then  came  to  his  present  farm  in 
this  township.  In  April,  1872,  the  mother  of  INIr.  Mahaney  was 
killed  by  the  fall  of  a  two-story  frame  dwelling,  which  was  blown 
down  and  torn  to  fragments  in  a  wind  storm.  Ilis  father  was  severely 
injured,  and  a  ten-year-old  brother  cut  on  the  head,  but  Mr.  Mahaney 
and  a  sister,  both  in  the  house, escaped  uninjured.  The  ciiildrcn  born 
to  Mr.  Mahaney  are  six  in  number:  Eliza  E.,  Rachel  O.,  Dolly  A., 
Bessie  P.,  John  H.  and  Mary  F. 

CHARLES  MASON,  a  native  of  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  was 
born  in  February,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  Mason. 
The  family  first  came  West  to  New  Albany,  Ind.,  then  moved  to  Posey 
County,  Ind.,  tlieuce  came  to  Illinois,  when^  the  father  died  in  Tazewell, 
and  the  mother  in  McLean  County.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  Charles 
Mason  began  life  for  himself,  laboring  by  the  month  at  from  $5  to  $15. 
January  5,  1837,  he  married  in  LaAvrence  County,  III.,  Miss  Rhoda 
Travis,  and  began  housekeeping  in  Clay  County  on  rented  land. 
Five  years  later,  he  purchased  sixty  ac-res,  improved,  on  which  he  lived 
seven  years,  and  then  came  to  his  present  farm  in  this  township, 
where  he  owned  300  acres,  but  has  given  his  children  about  100  acres, 
and  possession  of  about  120  acres  beside.  Mrs.  Mason  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  other  children,  there  are  living — William 
M.,  Sarah,  Roxina,  Mary  L.  and  Alice  C. 

LYMAN  RANDALL   was  born    in  Oxford  County'.  Maine,  in 


SOUTH    MIIDDV    TOWNSHII'.  575 

1^38,  and  is  the  son  of  Ksck  and  Kdith  (Pickens)  R;uidall,  natives  of 
Massaoluisetts.  Lyman  Randall  had  the  advantages  of  a  high  seliool 
education,  and  on  com  in  2:  West  in  l^oSensfaofcd  in  s(diool  teaching  in 
winter  and  fanning  in  summer  until  18(51,  when  he  enlisted,  Septtuii- 
ber  4,  in  the  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry  and  served  until  January 
2(),  18(>G.  .Vmoiig  the  many  engagements  in  which  he  took  part 
were  those  of  Fredericktown,  Mo.,  Island  No.  10,  Corinth,  Miss., 
Jackson,  Vicksburg,  Nashville,  Spanish  Fort  and  a  number  of  skir- 
mishes. In  18()7  he  married,  in  Ingraham,  Clay  Co.,  111.,  Miss  Mary 
E.  Ingraham,  a  native  of  Missouri.  Mr.  Randall  fust  owned  four 
acres  of  land  at  Ingraham,  which  he  disposed  of  during  the  war,  and 
at  its  close  purchased  140  acres  in  ('lay  County,  III.,  on  which  he  lived 
five  years  and  then  came  to  Small  wood  Township,  this  county,  pur- 
chased 120  acres  and  resided  thereon  five  years.  In  the  tall  of  1875 
he  came  to  this  township  and  settled  on  his  present  farm  of  IGO 
acres,  all  under  good  cultivation  and  supplied  with  comfortable 
buildings.  Mrs.  Ruidall  owns  112  acres  in  Clay  County,  mostly 
under  cultivation.  Mr.  and  INIrs.  Randall  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  have  two  children  living — Winfield  and  Edith. 

WILLIAM  N.  STUART,  a  native 'of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
was  born  in  June,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Charity  (Larne) 
Stuart,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  and  pio- 
neers of  Ohio.  Both  parents  died  in  this  State.  William  N.  Stuart 
came  here  in  1860  and  here  he  and  sister  own  a  farm  of  350  acres, 
of  which  190  are  improved  and  constitute  one  of  the  finest  farms  in 
South  ]Muddy  Townshij);  the  products,  grain  and  stock,  are  divided 
betw(^en  them.  Mr.  Stuart  is  a  thoroughgoing  farmer,  is  serving 
his  second  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  proirressive  men  of  his  township. 

JAMES  E.  WORTIIEY,  farmer  but  formerly  a  blacksmith,  was 
born  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  James  F.  and 
Charlotte  (Odor)  Worthey,  natives  of  Virginia  and  pioneei's  of  Jas- 
per County,  111.,  where  the  father  died  and  where  the  mother  is  still 
living,  at  the  age  of  about  eighty.  The  marriage  of  the  latter,  the 
second  time,  took  ])lace  in  her  seventy-sixth  year.  James E.  Wor- 
they was  reared  in  his  native  county  until  twenty-one,  served  three 
years  as  a  blacksmith's  apprentice,  and  came  to  this  county  in  the 
Fall  of  1855.  March  (],  1856,  ho  married  ]Mary  K.  Warren,  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  daughter  of  William  Warren,  a  farmer  and  a  native 
of  New  York  State.  For  about  twenty-one  years  our  subject  fol- 
lowed his  trade  in  this  State — principally  in  this  township,  where  he 
lived  on  the  farm  where  he  first  began  housekee])ing,  and  which  com- 
prises eighty  acres.  Mr.  Worthey  served  as  ('onstable  here  for  three 
years  and  then  resigned.  lie  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Mission- 
ary- Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  a  licensed  pnnu  her  for 
the  i)ast  fifteen  years.  He  has  had  l)orn  to  him  nine  children — 
Julia  C.,  Lucinda  A.,  Harriet  E.,  Mary  E.,  Rosie  E.  (deceased), 
George  (deceased),  Theodosia  (deceased),  William  F.  and  Nathan- 
iel J. 


57H  SAINT    MARIE    TOWNSHIP. 


SAINT    MARIE  TOWNSHIP. 

JOSEPH  PICQUET  was  born  on  March  17,  1811),  in  lower 
France,  and  came  to  America  about  the  ycav  1835,  landing  in  Phila- 
delphia; thence  he  went  to  Pittsburiih  and  from  thereby  canal  and  over 
the  inclined  plane, to  Steubenville,  Ohio;  thence  he  went  to  Lima, Ohio, 
visiting  all  the  land  offices  along  the  line,  inasmuch  as  he  had  been 
sent  here  by  his  father  and  other  relatives  for  the  purpose  of  locating 
lands  for  them.  He  went  as  far  as  Saint  Louis,  and  next  went  tt) 
Chicago,  then  a  place  with  but  few  houses.  Finally  he  reached 
Jasper  County,  where  he  entered  1,200  acres,  soon  after  which  his 
father  came  ov^er,  and  he,  in  turn,  was  followed  by  the  rest  of  the 
family,  with  the  exception  of  one  sister,  Louise — a  lady  of  the  Sacred 
Heart.  Mr.  Picquethas  since  made  several  visits  to  his  native  land, 
and  was  there  married,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Rosa  Muller,  who  died  in 
November,  1844.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Rosine 
(Hartrick)  Muller,  natives  of  Alsace."  In  ISaO  Mr.  Picquet  married 
Caroline,  a  sister  of  his  deoeised  wife,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  eight  children,  of  whom  only  two  survive — Louise  and 
Marie. 

JAMES  PICQUET,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Hague- 
neau  Province,  France,  in  1824,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  came  to 
this  country  in  company  with  his  mother,  two  brothers  and  three 
sisters,  liis  father  and  brother  Joseph  having  preceded  him,  and  set- 
tled on  1,200  acres  of  land  in  this  county.  ^  A  year  after  his  arrival 
he  went  to  Saint  Louis  to  study  our  language   and  customs;  later, 
he  studied  medicine  for  two  years  under  the  eminent  Dr.  Battey,  of 
Vincennes,  Ind.,  after  which  he    returned  to  his  native  land  and 
studied  for  three  years  in  the  University  of  France.     In  1854  he 
returned  to  this  county  and  established  himself  in  practice  in  Saint 
Marie,  where  he  at  oiice  mad(>  his  mark.     At  the  l)reaking  out  of 
the  war  he  was  appointed  surgeon  in   the  government  hospital   at 
Vincennes,  where  he  did  etficient  w^ork  until  the  cessation  of  hostil- 
ities.    He  next  established  himself  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  active    practice  until    18(58,  when  he  returned  to  Saint 
Marie,  where  he  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  and  an  extensive  pat- 
ronage.    In  1854, "in   France,  he  married  Miss  Victoria,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Louise  (Blum)  Shefferstine,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  six  (diildren — Mary,  Pauline,  Annie,  Cecile,  Edward  and 
Rivinond. 


FOX    TOWNSHIP.  577 


FOX    TOWNSHIP. 

JOSEPH  BOOS  w  as  born  in  Alsaco,  Gernumy,  in  1831),  and  i.s 
the  second  son  of  J.  and  Elizalx'th  Boos,  both  natives  of  Alsace. 
When  our  subjort  Avas  a  i'ow  months  old,  he  canic  with  his  parents 
to  Saint  Marie,  and  was  here  reared  and  educated.  His  i'atlier  bought 
the  present  Boos  estate.  It  contained  at  one  time  3,600  acres.  Mr. 
Boos  has  always  lived  on  the  farm.  Boos  Station  is  situated  on  the 
Boos  estate.  For  the  last  three  years  Mr.  Boos  has  ])oen  dealing  in 
grain  and  merchandise,  and  has  a  tine  brick  store,  the  best  in  the 
townshij).  He  does  the  sole  grain  trade  in  tliis  part  of  the  town- 
siiii),  and  is  the  only  merchant.  He  was  made  post-master  about 
three  years  ago.  He  has  rented  all  his  land  (1,200  acres,  mostly 
cultivated  and  improved),  and  devotes  his  attention  to  his  ])resent 
business.  In  18(38,  he  married  Magdalene  Litzelman,  a  native  of 
Saint  Marie.  His  present  wdft?  (formerly  Magdalene  Horn)  is  a 
native  of  Etiingham  County,  111.  He  has  four  children — Francis, 
Joseph,  Aloyous  Odilo  and  Estella.  Mr.  Boos  is  a  Democrat,  and  a 
prominent  citizen. 

THOMAS  CAIHLL  was  born  in  1.S33,  in  Ohio,  and  is  the  third 
son  of  J.  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Creston)  Cahill,  natives  of  Ohio  and 
Canada  resp(!ctively.  Thomas  C-ahill  was  reared  and  educated  in  his 
native  State.  After  attaining  his  majority,  he  farmed  until  thirty- 
five  years  of  age.  He  then  came  to  Fox  Township  (then  part  of 
Saint  Marie)  and  continued  farmiuir  until  1878,  when  he  bei>:an  the 
dry  goods  and  orocery  trade  in  West  Liberty.  At  present  he  is 
engaged  in  the  sale  of  his  stock  to  J.  R.  Oilman.  He  has  been  post-- 
mastcr  and  ex})ress  and  freight  agent  ever  since  the  creation  of  West 
Liberty.  He  has  been  collecting  and  pettifogiiing  for  over  twenty 
years.  He  is  a  strong  Republican.  Mr.  Cahill  was  married  in  1854 
to  Rachel  A.  Moore,  a  native  of  Ohio;  that  lady  died  in  187().  His 
present  wife  (who  was  the  widow  of  Mr.  Stewart),  is  a  native  of 
Indiana.  He  has  seven  children  living,  viz.:  Fernando,  F'orrest, 
Squire  D.,  John  L.,  Ira,  Ernest  and  Rolley.  Mr.  Cahill  is  one  of  our 
most  inrtuential  citizens. 

JAMES  F.  COMPTOX  Avas  born  in  Simpson  County,  Ky.,  in 
1842,  and  is  the  fifth  son  of  William  S.  and  Nancy  M.  (iVIaytield) 
Compton,  natives  of  Kentuck}^  and  North  Carolina  n^spectively.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  He  enlisted  in  the 
Sixth  Kentucky  Wjlunteers  (Confederate  Infantry),  and  served  at 
Franklin,  Nashville,  Shiloh,  C(n'inth,  Vicksburg,  Baton  Rouge,  Mont- 
gomery, Knox vi He  (Tenn.),  Stone  River,  Chattanooga  and  Dallas. 
At  that  pla(;e  he  was  wounded  and  fell  into  Federal  hands,  went  into 
hospitd,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  able  made  his  way  back  to  Montgom- 
ery and  Mobile,  into  the  Confederate  lines,  and  was  made  a  cavalry 
«oldier.     Thev  moved  into  North  and  South   Carolina,  thence  back 


578  IJIOGHAPHIC'AL    SKETCHES — JASPEU    COUNTY: 

to  Washiiiirlcn.  Cv.\.,  and  at  the  close  of  tho  war  he  rotiivnod  home. 
He  eiiiraiiod  in  the  saw-mill  business  until  he  came  to  his  present 
farm,  which  contains  14(5  acres  of  w^ell  improved  land.  In  ISfiC,  he 
married  Susan  AV.  Hill,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  They  have  seven 
children,  viz.:  Alonzo,  Clai-cnce.  Mary,  ViriiiL  James,  Josie  and 
Nora.  Mr.  (^ompton  is  a  member  of  the  I'niversalist  Church.  He 
has  been  Assessor,  and  Supervisor  twice,  and  is  now  Collector  for  the 
township.  Politically,  he  is  a  liberal  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  our 
prominent  citizens. 

THOMAS  GH^SOX  is  a  native  of  Maryland,  was  born  in  1<S2U 
and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Freneh)  Gibson,  natives  of  the 
same  State.  The  family  moved  to  Ohio  about  1.^32,  and  there 
Thomas  w^as  reared  to  farminir.  In  1854,  our  subject  came  to  Jasper 
County  and  bouoht  his  present  farm  of  ISO  acres,  all  Avell  cultivated. 
He  married,  in  184"),  Emily  E.  Wilson,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  who- 
has  borne  him  three  children — Robert  W.,  ^lary  E.  (Tritt)  and  John 
W.  In  politics,  Mr,  Gibson  was  for  a  time  a  Whiir,  then  a  Free- 
Soil  Abolitionist,  and  is  now  a  Republican.  lie  was  a  mc^nber  of 
the  County  Board  of  Sui)ervisors  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  a 
most  influential  citizen.     In  reliirion  he  is  a  Methodist. 

DR.  C  HARRIS  w^as  born"  in  Nelson  County,  Ky.,  in  182;),  and 
is  the  fom-th  son  of  Edward  and  Sarah  (Wells)  Harris,  both  natives 
of  Kentucky.  When  ten  yeais  old  our  subject  moved  to  Louisville,, 
where  he  remained  until  about  twenty-tive.  He  was  educated  at  the 
Louisville  University,  and  when  nineteen  attended  leetnres.  At 
twenty-two,  he  commenced  to  practiee.  He  soon  went  to  AVashinir- 
ton  County,  Ind.  He  was  a  partner  in  a  aeueral  store  (includinir 
drugs)  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.  He  then  came  to  Clay  County,  111.; 
was  afterward  in  Shepherdsville,  Ky.;  also  in  Saluda,  Ind.,  where  he 
remained  about  five  years.  He  next  came  to  Mattoon,  111.;  then  to 
Richland  County,  and  in  ISIU  he  came  to  what  is  now  Boos,  and 
bouirht  his  present  farm,  containing  2')8  acres,  mostly  cultivated  ami 
improved.  He  has  practiced  ever  since  his  arrival.  an<l  has  been^ 
very  successful,  lie  married,  in  1853,  Nancy  Rickordson,  a  native  of 
Kentucky;  that  lady  died  in  1S58.  His  "present  wife  (formerly 
Elena  Consley)  is  a  native  of  Indiana.  The  Doctor  has  six  children, 
viz.:  Martha  F.  (Richardson),  Laura  Loy,  ColnKU-e,  Oliver  P.,  Ida  B., 
and  Anna  J.  The  Doctor  is  a  meml)er  of  the  Universalist  Church, 
also  of  the  I.  O.  ()•  F.  He  was  the  first  Sui>ervisor  of  the  township, 
also  School  Treasm-er  for  ten  years.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of 
our  most  intluential  citizens. 

PAUL  IIAK*'i'iaCII  was  born  in  Saint  Marie  Township  (now 
Fox)  in  1854,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Theodore  and  Francesca  Hart- 
rich,  both  natives  of  France.  Our  subject  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Saint  Marie  Townshii)  until  lS71,when  his  father  died.  The 
three  brothers  farmcil  the  old  homestead  until  the  fall  of  18.S2.  The 
homestead  contained  a))out  SOO  jicres.  In  1SS2,  it  was  divided;  Mr. 
Hart  rich  sold  his  p;n1  to  his  brothel',  and  now  has  charge  of  the 
Boos  farm.      In  \x~\K  he  married  Monica  Faller.  a   native  of  Evan.s- 


FOX    TOWNSHIP.  r)79 

villc,  Ind.  Tlioy  havo  oiio  child,  Francis  X.  Mr.  Hart  rich  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Kniahts  of  America,  also  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
He  is  a  Democrat;  was  Towiishi})  Collector  for  one  term,  and  is  a 
rosiiect<Hl  citizen. 

ErcENE  IIahtkicii  was  born  in  Fox  Township  in  1849, 
and  is  the  second  son  of  Theodore  and  Fi'anccsca  Ilartrich.  He  was 
reared  and  educated  in  this  town#lii[)  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
After  his  father's  death,  he,  with  his  brothers,  farmed  the  homestead 
until  1882,  when  he  bouijht  his  brothers  out.  He  now  owns  230 
acres  of  land,  mostly  cultivated  and  improved,  and  has  an  interest 
in  some  undivided  homestead  land.  In  1880,  he  married  Pauline 
Picquet,  a  dauiihter  of  Dr.  Picquet,  of  Saint  INIarie.  Mr.  Hartrich 
is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Kniifhts.  He  served  the  unexpired  term, 
as  Sheritf,  of  John  Selby;  has  also  been  Townshi])  Collector.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  and  an  esteemed  citi/en. 

J.  Q.  HITCJH,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hitch  &  Diekerson,  mer- 
chants and  irnnn  dealers,  was  born  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  in 
185(i,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Nelson  A.  and  Lottie  Hitch;  both 
natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Hitch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio,  and 
when  twenty  3'ears  old  came  with  the  fiimily  to  Richland  County, 
and  en<2:a£red  in  farmins:  Jind  stock -raising,  continuino-  four  years. 
The  corn  failure  of  1881,  led  him  to  ship  and  sell  corn  at  West  Lib- 
erty, throuo-h  the  season.  He  sold  forty  car  loads;  a  remarkable  sale 
for  so  small  a  place.  He  then  beiian  the  i>rocery  business  at  West 
Liberty,  and  continued  alone  mitil  1882,  when  he  was  joined  by  Mr. 
Diekerson,  who  added  2:rain-dealin<»-  and  airricidtural  implements. 
They  were  the  first  firm  of  the  kind,  and  sold  nineteen  machines  of 
the  Dorsey  manufacture,  this  year.  They  are  the  only  firm  in  the 
place  who  make  a  specialty  of  groceries  and  ]n"ovisions.  They  carry 
about  $1,.500  worth  of  groceries,  and  have  a  larce  and  increasing 
trade.  They  ship])e(l  last  year  125  cars  of  grain.  Mr.  Hitch  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  votes  the  Kepublican  ticket  at  the 
National  elections,  but  in  other  elections  is  independent.  He  is  an 
influential  citizen.  AVilmer  L.  Diekerson,  of  the  firm  of  Hitch  & 
Dickersoji,  was  born  in  Jefl'erson  County.  Lid.,  in  18.")(i,  and  is  the 
eldest  son  of  eJohn  and  Nancy  T.  (Swan)  Diekerson,  both  natives  ot 
Indiana.  The  i)arents  came  to  Fox  Township,  when  it  was  in  its 
primitive  state,  and  our  subject  grew  up  on  the  farm  until  sixteen 
years  old,  when  he  enlei-cd  the  Olney  Hii>-h  School.  He  spent  two 
years  there,  preparing  himself  for  teaching;  in  which  he  has  been 
very  successful.  With  the  exception  of  one  winter  SjiQut  in  Arkan- 
sas, ^lissouri,  Lidian  Territory  and  Texas,  he  has  taught  school  every 
winter  since,  farming  in  the  summer.  He  does  not  expect  to  teach 
in  the  future.  Shortly  before  his  father's  death,  in  1881,  he  bought 
his  present  farm  of  200  acres,  mostly  cultivated  aiul  imjjroved.  Li 
the  fall  of  1881,  he  married  and  moved  on  the  farm.  Li  1882,  he 
became  a  ])artnei-  in  the  fii'm  of  Hitch  &  Diekerson.  He  married 
Kmma  Hitch,  a  native  of  Clermont  C'ounty,  Ohio.  Mr.  Diekerson 
is  a  member  of  the  A.  O-  U.  W..     He  is  a  Re[)ublican,  and  has  l)oen 


580  BKIGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY: 

Townsliiii  Clerk.  He  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  of  our  citizens. 
John  Dickerson  (decetised),  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  in 
1827,  and  was  the  second  son  of  AVihner  and  ]\Iar<raret  (Snodgrass) 
Dickerson;  natives  (prol)ably)  of  New  Jersey  and  Kentucky.  John 
Dickerson  was  reared  and  eiucated  in  his  native  county,  and  lived 
upon  the  farm  until  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  began  the  black- 
smiths' trade  at  Madison,  Ind.  After  serving  a  three  years'  appren- 
ticeship, he  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  county  until  IHoH,  then  came 
to  the  tarm  now  owned  by  his  widow.  He  continued  his  trade,  in 
conjunction  with  fanning,  until  his  death  in  1881;  since  which  event, 
his  second  son,  Thomas,  has  managed  the  farm.  Mr.  Dickei-son  was 
married  in  1851,  to  Nancy  Swan,  a  native  of  Indiana,  by  Avhich  union 
they  had  six  cliihh-en:  "Wilmer,  Thomas.  ]Margaret  (Yong),  Manie, 
Grace  and  Henry.  ^Ir.  Dickerson  was  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  and  A. 
M.,  and  a  Republican.     He  was  a  respected  citizen. 

J.  W.  HUGHES  was  born  in  Dubois  County,  Ind.,  in  18:)5,  and 
is  the  youngest  son  of  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Gatmore)  Hughes, 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  Cm-  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in  his 
native  county.  When  eighteen  years  old  (having  learned  the  carpen- 
ters' trade),  he  came  to  Crawford  County,  III,  and  began  business 
for  himself.  After  about  five  years,  he  came  to  West  Liberty,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  as  a  carpenter  and  building  contractor.  He 
employs  four  or  five  men  at  a  time,  and  has  been  very  successful. 
In  1876,  he  married  Nancy  J.  Gilman,  a  native  of  Virginia.  They  have 
two  children— Irena  and  Hugh.  Mr.  Hughes  is  at  present  Constii- 
ble  for  the  township.  He  isa  Republican,  and  an  enterprising  citizen. 

REV.  J.  L.  JESSUP  was  born  in  North  Cirolina,  in  1821,  and 
is  the  eldest  son  of  J.  and  Rachel  (Jackson)  Jessup,  both  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  When  our  subject  Avas  three  years  old,  he  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  that  county.  On  attaining  liis  majority  he  commenced  farm- 
ing for  himself,  and  continued  until  1881."  He  then  came  to  his  pres- 
ent farm,  containing  200  acres,  mostly  cultivated  and  improved.  ^  In 
184-'),  he  was  married  to  Malinda  Kellum,  a  native  of  luiliana.  Five 
children  blessed  this  union — Amanda  Chawner,  Oswald,  W.  Kel- 
lum, Roscoe  C.  and  Cora  C.  Rev.  Mr.  Jessup  was  Township  Trus- 
tee in  Indiana  for  seven  years,  and  is  at  present  Supervisor  of  Fox 
Township.  He  has  been  a  minister  of  the  Friends'  Church  for  the 
last  twenty  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Ropul)lican,  and  is  a  respect,od 
citizen. 

JOSEPH  KAUFMANN  was  born  in  Saint  Marie  Township,  in 
1844,  and  is  the  eldest  living  son  of  Cyriac  and  Magdalene  (Ebb) 
Kaufmann,  l)()th  natives  of  France.  He  was  reared  an  1  educated  in 
Fox  Township,  up  to  twenty-three  years  of  age,  anil  then  bought  hi.s 
present  farm,  containing  220  acres,  nearly  "all  cultivated  and  im- 
proved. In  l.S(),S,  h(^  married  Catherine  Kessler  (a  native  of  Jasper 
County),  who  died  in  IS72.  His  present  wife.  Miry  La  MoUe,  is  a 
native"  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Kaufmann  is  a  member  of  the  Citholic  Knights, 
and    is    school    treasurer  of  this  township.      In    National  and  St:tt.o 


r<)x  TOWNSHIP.  581 

affairs,  ho  is  Doiuocratic,  but  in  otlun*  elections,  he  votes  for  the  best 
man.     Mr.  Kautinann  is  a  prominent  citizen. 

ANTHONY  KAUFMANN  was  born  in  Saint  Marie  (now  Fox ) 
Township,  in  1847.  and  is  the  second  son  of  Cyriac  and  Magdalene 
(Ebb)  Ivaufmann;  both  natives  of  Alsace.  Our  subject  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Fox  Township.  ^Vllen  about  twenty-six  years  old, 
he  bought  his  present  farm,  whicji  contains  2di)  acres,  improved,  and 
in  good  cultivation.  In  1873,  he  married  Mary  Kessler.  a  native  of 
Jaspcn-  C'ount y.  They  have  Hve  children — Felix,  An)i'rt,  Paul,  James 
and  Glotildie.  Mr.  Ivaufmann  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  our  influential  citizens. 

A.  LITZELMANN  was  born  in  Alsace,  in  18133,  and  is  the  young- 
est son  of  Joseph  and  Frances  Litzelmann,  both  natives  of  Alsace. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Saint  Marie  Townshii).  His  father 
died  when  our  subject  was  sixteen  years  old;  he  then  lived  with  his 
step-mother  until  about  twenty-four  years  old.  He  iidierited  eighty 
acres  of  the  old  liomestead,  and  has  since  lived  ui)Ou  the  place:  and 
has  increiised  it  to  about  8()0  acres,  most  of  which  is  well  cultivated 
and  improved.  In  1858,  he  married  Josephine  Boos,  a  native  of 
this  township.  That  lady  died  in  1879.  His  present  wife  (formerly 
Christina  Horn)  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  has  six  children — Eliz- 
abeth, Charles.  Mary,  Helena,  Aloyons,  and  Aggie.  Mr.  Litzel- 
mann was  Supervisor  of  Fox  Township  for  two  years.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  our 
oldest  citizens. 

ALBERT  M.  PHILLIPSVas  born  in  Richland  County,  in  1853, 
and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Austin  R.  and  Mary  C-  (West)  Phillips, 
natives  of  Illinois  and  Tennessee  respectively.  Albert  M.  Phillips 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  When  twenty  years 
old  he  began  tanning  for  himself,  and  continued  until  1880.  He 
then  came  to  West  Liberty  and  soon  began  as  salesman  for  Johnson 
&  Son,  and  Hitch  &  Dickerson.  In  the  spring  of  1883  he  began  the 
insurance  business,  as  agent  for  the  Burlington  Insurance  (i!o.,  and 
has  met  with  good  success.  In  1873  he  married  ,Iane  Waggy,  a 
native  of  Ohio.  They  have  three  children — Lowell.  La  Roy  and 
Owen.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
H(^  is  a  Republican  and  an  enterprising  citizen. 

WILLIAM  SHRYOCK  (senior  partner  of  the  firm  of  William 
Shryock  &  Son,  merchants  at  West  Libert}')  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, in  1827,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Shryock. 
William  was  reared  and  educated  near  Shelbyville,  Ind.  When 
about  twenty-seven  years  old  he  came  to  Richland  and  Jasper 
counties.  111.,  and  bought  his  present  farm,  containing  2'}')  acres, 
nearly  all  cultivated.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Sixty-Third  Illi- 
nois Volunteers.  He  went  to  Cairo,  Jackson  (Tenn.),  Holly  Sprino^s, 
Oxford,  Vicksburg,  Memphis  ;  then  toward  Chattanooga,  where  h© 
was  taken  sick  and  went  to  Nashville  hospital,  thence  to  Cincin- 
nati, Washington,  Alexandria  and  Point  Lookout,  Md.  There  ha 
was  dis(diarge.d  and  returned  home.     He  then  dealt  chiefly  in  stock 


582  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — JASPER    COUNTY : 

up  to  1881,  when  he  beiran  his  present  general  merchantlise  busi- 
ness. The  tinn  cairv  a  heavy  stock  ami  have  a  flourishing  trade. 
In  1851  Mr.  William  Shryock  married  Elizabeth  A.  Wood,  a  native 
of  Indiana.  They  have  live  children — John  J.,  William  H.,  Martha, 
Carrie  B.  and  Charles  E.  JNIr.  Shryock  is  a  mend)er  of  the  Mis- 
sioiuiry  Baptist  Church,  is  a   Republican  and  a  prominent  citizen. 

John  J.  Shryock,  the  junior  partner,  was  born  in  Richland 
County,  m..  in  1858,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  AVilliam  Shryock.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  took  a  course  of 
b()ok-keei)inir  at  Olncy.  He  farmcMl  exclusively  until  the  fall  ot 
1882,  and  then  entered  the  mercantile  business  as  his  father's  jiart- 
ner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  a  Republican 
and  a  respected  citizen. 

J.  SHRYOCK  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  1832,  and  is 
the  second  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Shryock.  Mr.  Shryock  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  until  seventeen  years  old  and 
was  afterward  engao-od  in  farming  and  stock-raising  until  1854.  He 
then  came  to  his  present  farm  of  449  acres,  in  Saint  Marie  Town- 
ship, and  Richland  County.  He  farmed  and  dealt  in  stock  up  to 
1880  (except  a  few  months  when  he  dealt  in  grain  at  Olney);  then 
commenced  the  grain  trade  in  AVest  Liberty.  He  has  shipped  and 
dealt  in  stock,  and  almost  controlled  the  trade  here  for  the  last  fif- 
teen years.  In  1849  he  married  ]Martha  E.  ^Morris,  a  native  of  Shelby 
County,  Ind.  They  have  seven  children — John  W.,  Valentine,  Frank- 
lin, Arm inta  Stewart,  Halleck,  Grant  and  Col  tax.  Mr.  Shryock  is 
a  member  of  the  Ba])tist  Church.  He  was  a  Whig  and  Know  Noth- 
ing, and  is  now  a  Republican.  He  is  the  founder  of  AVest  Liberty 
and  one  of  its  most  influential  citizens. 

WILLIAM  P.  SPRAY  was  born  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind., 
in  the  year  1853,  and  is  the  only  son  of  Wilson  and  Sarah  (Furnas) 
Spray,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana  respectively.  Our  subject  was 
educated  chiefly  at  Earlham  College.  Richmond,  Ind.,  and  Avas  reared 
in  his  native  county.  He  engaged  in  stock-dealing  in  Hendricks 
County  until  1879,  then  was  a  partner  in  a  general  store  and  in  grain 
dealing  at  Bridgeport,  Ind.  After  two  years  he  began  the  stock 
business  in  this  township,  also  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  now 
has  the  principal  j)art  of  his  business  here.  The  firm  is  Wilson, 
Spray  &  Son.  They  own  350  acres  in  this  township.  Mr.  Spray 
was  married,  in  1875,  to  Ella  Jessup,  a  native  of  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.  That  lady  died  in  1881.  They  had  one  child,  also  deceased. 
Mr.  Si)ray  is  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Church.  He  is  a  Rei)ublican, 
and  one  of  our  enterprisinsf  citizens. 

JAMES  H.  TANGUARY,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Wabash  County, 
111.,  in  1s;,(k  ;ind  is  the  third  son  of  James  W.  and  Elizabeth 
(Buchanan)  Tangnary,  both  natives  of  Illinois.  His  father  is  a 
large  farmer  and  jjroniinent  citizen  of  AVabash  County.  The  Doctor 
wiis  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county  until  seventeen  yeai"s 
old.  He  then  went  to  the  National  Normal  S-hool,at  Lebanon,  ()hio, 
also  the    Normal    School  of  Carbondale.  111.     Din-inir  this    time   he 


FOX    TOWNSHIP.  o83 

tauo;ht  some  time,  and  iiltoii-ether  tauofht  about  thirtv  months.  He 
then  beofan  the  .study  of  medicine  at  Mount  Carmel,  111.  He  took 
a  course  of  lectures  at  theChicasfo  Medical  Collesfe,  and  graduated  at 
the  Colleofe  of  Physicians  and  Surireons,  at  that  place.  Dr.  Tau- 
^uary  is  tlie  only  physician  [)racticing  in  West  Liberty  and  has  ;i()od 
prospects  of  success.  He  was  married,  in  IH^O,  to  Miss  M.  J.  Higg, 
a  native  of  \Vai)ash  County,  111.  Mrs.  Tanguary  was  educated  at 
Lebanon,  Ohio.  The  Doctor  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  young  man  of  refinement 
and  al)ilily,  and  an  earnest  student  of  his  profession. 

J.  N.  THRAPP  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the 
third  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Kernes)  Thrapp,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Our  subject  was  educated  at 
Canaan  Center  College,  Ohio.  He  came  with  the  family  to  Olney, 
where  his  father  built  the  first  grist-mill  in  Richland  County.  In 
18(j1  he  enlisted  in  the  Eiofhth  Illinois  Refjiment.  He  re-enlisted  in 
the  Sixty-Third  Illinois  Regiment  and  went  to  Cairo,  Jackson  (Tenn. ), 
Ljigrange,  Oxford  (Miss.),  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Chattanooga, 
Atlanta,  in  Sherman's  "March  to  the  Sea,"  then  on  the  north 
march  to  Washington,  and  took  part  in  the  grand  review.  He  was 
promoted  to  Orderlv  Serfireant.  After  his  discharofe  he  returned  to 
Olney;  next  traveled  in  loAva  and  Nebraska  about  six  months,  then 
went  into  the  grocery  and  provision  trade  at  Olney,  continuing 
until  1877.  He  then  bought  his  present  farm  of  160  acres,  which  is 
well  cultivated  and  improved.  He  married,  in  1867,  Anna  Combs, 
a  native  of  Illinois.  They  have  three  children — Alonzo  Mc,  Nellie 
A.  and  Pearly  M.  Mr.  Thrapp  is  a  Republican,  and  a  prominent 
citizen.  He  is  one  of  the  few  men  who  have  kept  a  diary  regularly 
for  over  twent}-  yeai-s,  in  which  he  keeps  an  account  of  weather, 
temperature,  etc.,  as  well  as  personal  facts. 

Dk.  S-  R.  YOUXGMAN  was  born  iuiVIason  County,  Ky.,  in  the 
year  1813,  and  is  the  secondson  of  Jesse  and  Amy  (  Dicks)  Youngman, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Dr.  Young- 
man  was  reared  and  partly  educated  in  his  native  county;  when  he 
was  seventeen  years  old  the  family  removed  to  Putnam  County,  lud., 
where  the  Doctor  finished  his  education,  and  remained  at  home  until 
he  attained  his  majority.  After  studying  medicine  for  six  years 
(durino;  which  time  he  supported  himself),  he  began  practicing  his 
profession  at  Cloverdale,  Ind.,  where  he  practiced  foiu'  years.  The 
following  four  years  he  practiced  at  Greencastle,  Ind.,  then  moved 
to  New  Lebanon,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  between  four  and  six 
years.  He  next  established  himself  in  the  West  Liberty  vicinity. 
In  1H81  he  settled  in  the  township,  and  wishing  to  retire  from  active 
practice  he  turned  the  practice  over  to  Dr.  Tanguary  and  began  the 
druo* business.  He  carries  a  line  of  drugs,  paints,  oils,  tobaccos,  etc 
Dr.  Youngman  was  married,  in  1834,  to  Lorana  B.  Mark,  a  native 
of  Fleming  County,  Ky.  He  has  ten  children — Lydia  Stephens, 
George,  Hattie  iiicknell,  James,  Nancy  E.  Tipitt,  Maiy  Adams, 
Flora  Garrett,  Edward,  Emma  Sandifur  (deceased)  and  Elmer.     Dr. 


584 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES JASPER   COUNTV. 


Yoiingmaii  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  also  ot" 
the  A.,  F.  &  A.M.,  and  has  been  a  member  of  temperance^societies. 
He  was  Census  Officer  for  Fox  Township,  in  1880.  ]|[Hc   is^a^Repul)- 
lican.  and  an  influential  citizen.  • 


PART  IV. 


HISTORY  OF  RICHLAND  COUNTY. 


BY    J.    H.    BATTLE. 


ORGANIZATION  AND  GENERAL  DESCRIPTION. 

ORIGIN    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

/^N  November  28,  1814,  the  Territoriiil  Lciiitilature  oriiuiii/od  the 
^''^ county  of  Pxl wards.  White  Coiintv  was  formed  at  the  same  ses- 
•ion,  and  the  line  between  them  has  remained  unchanged.  This  line, 
extending  from  the  Wabash  to  the  Third  Principal  Meridian,  was  the 
southern  boundary  of  a  county,  the  limits  of  which  extended  north- 
ward to  the  international  boundary-  In  181(),  Crawford  was  formed 
from  the  northern  territory  of  Edwards,  leaving  within  the  limits  of 
the  latter  a  magnificent  territory,  from  which  eight  counties,  entire, 
or  in  part,  have  been  formed.  In  18U),  the  counties  of  Jefferson  and 
Wayne  were  formed;  in  1821,  L;iwrence  County;  in  1823,  Marion, 
and  in  1824,  Clay  and  Wabash,  leaving  Edwards  witii  its  present 
restricted  area.  The  Little  and  Big  Wabash  rivers  naturally  attracted 
the  greater  part  of  immigration  and  the  early  seats  of  justice  were 
founded  at  an  inconvenient  distance  from  the  interior  settlements, 
which,  from  1818  to  1835,  began  to  be  quite  numerous.  The  precedent 
set  of  forming  small  counties  in  the  case  of  Wabash  and  Edwards,  was 
not  lost  upon  the  people  of  this  interior  region,  and  an  agitation  for 
the  erection  of  an  independent  county  of  the  outlying  portions  of  Clay 
and  Lawrence,  was  begun  as  early  as  1838.  The  first  vote  was  unsuc- 
cessful, but  in  1841,the  effort  culminated  in  an  act  of  the  Legislature 
which  resulted  in  the  provisional  erection  of  Richland  County,  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Beginning  on  the  south  line  of  Crawford  County,  where  the 
range  line,  between  Rjinges  13  and  14  west,  strikes  the  same; 
thence  south,  with  said  range  line,  to  the  south  line  of  Lawrence 
County;  thence  west,  with  said  county  line,  to  the  line  dividing  Law- 
rence and  Edwards  counties;  thenc^e  north,  with  the  last  mentioned 


58(5  HISTORY    OF    IJIf'HLAND    COUNTY. 

line,  to  the  south  line  of  Clay  County;  thence  west,  with  said  line,  to 
tlie  center  of  the  Little  Wabash  River;  thence  up  the  micklle  of 
said  stream,  to  the  mouth  of  Muddy  Fork  thereof;  thence  up  the 
center  of  the  Muddy  Fork,  to  the  line  dividing' townships  Nos.  3  and 
4;  thence  east  with  said  line  to  the  range  line  between  ranges  8  and  9; 
thence  north,  with  said  range  line,  to  the  south  line  of  Jasper 
County;  and  thence  east,  with  said  line,  to  the  place  of  beginning, 
shall  constitute  a  new  coimty,  to  be  called  the  county  of  Richland. 

"Sec  2.  The  county  aforesaid  is  constituted  upon  the  follow- 
ing conditions:  The  people  of  the  counties  of  Lawrence  and  Clay,  as 
they  are  now  organized,  shall  meet  at  the  several  places  of  holding 
elections  for  senator  and  representatives  to  the  General  Assembly, 
in  said  counties  on  the  first  Monday  in  Jiuie  next,  and  proceed  to 
vote  in  the  same  manner  of  voting  for  senator  and  representatives  to 
the  General  Assembly  whether  said  county  shall  be  constituted  or  not. 
The  judges  of  elections  in  said  counties,  shall  give  twenty  days'  notice 
of  the  time  and  place  of  holding  said  elections,  by  posting  up  notices 
thereof,  at  six  of  the  most  public  places  in  each  of  said  counties; 
and  on  said  day  shall  open  a  poll  book  at  each  election  precinct  in 
said  counties,  in  which  they  shall  cause  to  be  ruled  two  columns,  in 
one  of  which  they  shall  set  down  the  votes  given  for  the  formation  ot 
said  new  county;  and  in  the  other  column,  the  votes  given  against 
the  same,  and  said  judges  shall  conduct  said  election,  and  make 
returns  thereof,  to  the  clerks  of  the  county  commissioners'  courts  of 
Lawrence  and  Clay  counties,  as  is  now  provided  by  law  in  the  case 
of  elections  for  senator  and  representatives  to  the  General  Assembly,- 
and  said  returns  shall  be  opened  and  coinited  in  the  same  manner  as 
required  in  such  elections,  and  if  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  given 
in  each  of  said  counties  at  said  election  shall  be  in  favor  of 
the  formation  of  said  new  county,  a  certificate  thereof  shall 
be  made  by  the  clerks  of  the  county  commissioners'  courts  of  said 
counties  of  L-iwrence  and  Clay,  under  the  seals  of  said  courts,  and 
transmitted  by  them  to  the  office  of  the  Sccrcfciry  of  State  of  Illinois, 
to  bo  filed  in  his  ofifice  as  evidence  of  the  formation  of  said  county  of 
Richland,  and  said  clerk  shall  make  a  like  certificate  to  be  filed  in 
their  respective  offices,  which  shall  be  made  a  matter  of  record  at  the 
next  succeeding  term  of  the  county  commissioners'  court  of  each  of 
said  counties,  which  ccrtifi  ate  shall  be  sufficient  to  prove  the  fact 
therein  stated,  after  which  said  county  shall  be  one  of  the  counties 
of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

"Sec  ',\.     If  said  county   of  Richland  shall   be  constituted  as 


^- 


HISTOUV    OF    lilCIlLAND    COUM  V.  587 

aforcsiiid,  the  legal  votei-s  of  said  county  shall  meet  on  the  third  Mon- 
day of  June  next,  at  the  several  places  of  holdinir  elections  in  said 
new  county,  and  vote  for  the  place  where  the  county-seat  of  said 
county  shall  he  located,  on  which  day  persons  i)roi)osing  to  make  dona- 
tions for  the  several  places  proposed  to  by  voted  for,  shall  file  with 
the  judges  of  election  of  the  several  election  precincts  in  said  new 
county,  their  written  propositions,  which  shall  not  be  for  less  than 
ten  acres  of  land  at  the  place  the  seat  of  justice  shall  be  located,  and 
upon  the  person  or  persons  otiering  the  donation  at  the  place  receiv- 
ing the  greatest  number  of  votes,  making  to  the  said  county  of  Rich- 
land a  good  and  sufficient  conveyance  for  the  donation  proposed  to 
be  given,  such  place  shall  be  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  said 
county,  and  said  donation  shall  be  disposed  of  by  the  county  commis- 
sioners of  said  county,  in  such  manner  as  they  may  think  proper, 
reserving  necessary  public  grounds;  and  the  proceeds  arising  from 
said  donation,  shall  be  exclusively  used  [and]  for  the  erection  of  pub- 
lic buildings  in  said  county. 

"  Sec  4.  Should  said  county  of  Richland  l)o  constituted  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  said  county  shall,  on  the  first  Mon- 
day of  August  next,  elect  all  county  officers  for  said  county,  to  be 
commissioned  and  qualified  as  in  other  cases. 

"  Sec.  5.  Said  county  of  Richland  shall  make  a  part  of  the  fourth 
judicial  circuit,  and  so  soon  as  said  county  shall  be  organized,  the 
clerk  of  the  county  commissioners'  court  of  said  county  shall  notify 
the  judge  of  the  said  circuit,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  appoint  a  clerk, 
and  hold  courts  in  said  county,  at  such  times  as  said  judge  shall  ap- 
point, or  shall  be  provided  by  law;  said  courts  to  lie  held  at  such 
})lacc  as  the  county  commissioners  of  said  county  shall  provide,  until 
imblic  buildings  shall  be  erected. 

"  Skc.  6.  The  school  funds  belonging  to  the  several  townships 
in  said  county,  and  all  notes  and  mortgages  pertaining  to  the  same, 
shall  b3  paid  and  delivered  over  to  the  school  commissioner  of  the 
county  of  Richland,  by  the  commissioners  of  the  counties  of  Lawrence 
and  Clay,  so  soon  as  the  said  county  of  Richland  shall  bs  organized, 
and  the  commissioner  of  school  lands  shall  be  appointed  and  qualified 
according  to  law;  together  with  all  interests  arising  out  of  said  money 
that  may  not  have  been  expended. 

"  Sec.  7.  That,  until  otherwise  i)rovided  by  law,  that  portion  of 
Richland  County  taken  off  Lawrence,  and  that  portion  taken  off  Clay 
shall  continue  to  vote  with  the  counties  they  were  taken  ofi"  of,  for 
senator  and  representjitives  to  the  General  Assembly. 

36 


588  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

"Sec.  8.  That  the  passage  of  this  act  shall  in  no  wise  alter  or 
affect  the  assessment  of  property,  or  the  collection  of  taxes  in  the 
counties  of  Lawrence  and  Chn^  as  the  same  are  now  organized  for 
the  yejir  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-one.  But  should  the 
said  county  of  Richland  be  organized  in  pui'suancc  to  the  provisions 
of  this  act,  the  county  commissioners'  courts  of  the  counties  of 
Lawrence  and  Clay  shall  immediately,  after  the  "settlement  of  the 
collectors  of  their  respective  counties,  order  that  portion  of  taxes 
collected  from  citizens  residing  in  that  portion  of  Richland  County 
taken  off  their  respective  counties  after  deducting  a  proportionate 
amount  for  the  assessment  and  collection  of  the  same,  to  be  paid 
into  the  county  treasury  of  Richland  Count3^ 

"Sec.  9.  The  returns  of  the  election  for  county  officers  to  be 
held  on  the  first  Monday  in  August  next,  and  the  returns  of  the 
election  for  the  purpose  of  fixing  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  of 
said  county,  shall  be  made  to  Samuel  R.  Lowry,  James  Laws  and 
Joshua  L.  Johnston,  who  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  open 
the  same  and  make  returns  thereof,  in  the  same  manner  as  Clerks  of 
county  commissioners'  courts  and  justices  of  the  peace,. called  to 
their  assistance  in  ordinary  cases,  are  required  to  do." 

The  only  opposition  to  the  formation  of  a  new  county  was  based 
upon  the  natural  hesitation  to  curtail  the  extent  of  the  old  county's 
area,  but  so  determined  were  the  people  to  be  benefited  by  this 
change  that  the  project  received  its  most  material  aid  from  those 
about  Lawrenceville.  It  was  feared  in  this  region  that  if  the  pro- 
ect  failed  the  county-seat  would  be  moved  to  a  more  central  point, 
and  hence  their  support  to  the  new  county.  In  Clay  County  there 
was  but  little  or  no  opposition,  and  the  vote  under  the  provisions  of 
this  act  was  in  favor  of  the  division  by  a  good  majority.  The  name 
is  due  to  the  influence  of  Rev.  Joseph  II.  Reed,  who  was  a  Methodist 
minister,  a  resident  of  the  county,  prominent  in  the  agitition  for  a 
new  county,  and  subsequtnitly  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature. 
lie  wished  to  call  the  county-seat  Calhoun,  but  in  deference  to  his 
efforts,  and  as  a  compromise,  the  county  \vas  named  aftxM"  Richland 
County,  in  Ohio,  from  whence  Reed  had  emigrated. 

TOPOGRArilY. 

The  county  thus  formed  and  named  is  in  the  eastern  part  of 
southern  Illinois,  and  eml)races  a  superficial  area  of  about  350  square 
miles.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Jasper  and  Crawford  counties, 
pn  the  cast  by  Lawrence,  on  the  south  by   Wabash,    Edwards  and 


IIISTOIJV    OK    UirHLAM)    COUNTY.  .').Sy 

Wayne,  and  on  the  west  by  Wayne  and  Clay  conntics.  This  county 
tbiins  a  part  of  the  upper  valley  of  the  Little  Wabash,  thouo:h  a  rise 
of  <j^round  extending  north  and  south,  contributes  a  portion  of  its 
drainaiife  throuiih  the  Embarrass,  and  Honpas.  The  Eni1)arrass,  in 
one  of  its  eccentric  bends,  cuts  the  northern  line  of  German  Town- 
ship, and  receives  some  small  tributaries,  known  as  Elk  Horn,  Calf 
Killer,  Elm  Slou<>h,  Muddy  Creek  and  Buiiaboo.  Bonpas  takes  its 
orisfin  in  Clareinont  Townshi[),  and  Hows  in  a  nearly  due  south  course 
in  two  branches,  which  unite  in  the  township  of  Honpas,  and  joins 
the  lariifer  Wabash  at  Grayville.  It  has  no  imi)ortant  affluents  in 
this  county,  Suijar  Creek  bein£^  the  only  one  reaching'  the  dio-nity  of 
a  name.  The  Little  Wabash,  takini>-  its  rise  in  Shelby  and  Coles 
counties,  flows  a  southeasterly  course  and  enters  the  larger  Wabash 
on  the  southern  line  of  White  County.  In  its  course,  it  forms  the 
boundary  of  the  southwest  corner  of  Richland  Comity,  and  receives 
its  main  affluent,  Big  Muddy,  at  this  point.  The  latter  stream 
receives  Harrison  and  Sugar  creeks  from  Denver  Township,  and 
forms  a  part  of  the  western  boundary  of  the  county.  Fox  River, 
rising  in  Jasper  County,  flows  southerly,  dividing  the  western  half 
of  Richland  County,  and  joins  the  Little  Wabash  in  Edwards  County. 
The  Fox  receives  a  number  of  uniniport:int  streams  from  either 
side,  among  which  are  found  the  names  of  Sugar,  Big,  Little  Fox 
and  Gentry  creeks.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  generally  rolling, 
and  its  area  is  nearly  equally  divided  into  prairie  and  timbered  land, 
the  latter  forming  belts  along  the  courses  of  the  streams  from  one  to 
three  miles  in  width,  and  the  prairies  occupying  the  higher  or  tid)le 
lands  between  the  main  watercourses.  The  elevation  of  the  prairies 
above  the  beds  of  the  principal  streams  ranges  from  flfty  to  about  a 
hundred  feet.  The  southeastern  portion  of  the  county,  on  the  head- 
waters of  the  Bonpas,  is  quite  broken,  and  is  underlaid  by  the  heavy 
beds  of  Siindstone  and  sandy  shale,  intervening  between  coals  twelve 
and  thirteen,  which  attain  here  a  thickness  of  seventy  to  eighty  feet, 
or  more.  In  the  central  or  western  portion  the  surface  is  seldom  so 
broken  as  to  render  it  unfit  for  cultivation. 

*GEOLOGY. 

The  geological  formations  of  this  county  comprise  a  moderate 
thickness  of  drift  clay,  sand  and  gravel,  that  is  everywhere  found 
immediately  beneath  the  soil,  except  in  the  creek  valleys,  where  this 
•uperficial  material  has  been  removed  by  corroding  agencies;  and  a 

•  Taken  from  the  State  Report. 


o90  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

series  of  sandstones,  shales,  etc.,  embraciuir  an  aggregate  thickness 
of  2)0  to  300  feet,  which  belongs  to  the  upper  coal  measures,  and 
include  the  horizon  of  three  or  four  thin  seams  of  coal.  The  drift 
clays  are  somewhat  thicker  in  this  county  than  in  Lawrence,  and  the 
bowlders  are  more  numerous  and  of  larger  size.  Bcdow  the  brown, 
gravelly  clays  that  usually  form  th?  subsoil  on  the  uplands,  and  range 
from  ten  to  twenty  feet  in  thickness,  there  is  in  mmy  places  a  bed 
of  hard,  bluish-gray,  gravelly  clay,  or  "hard  pan,"*  as  it  is  frequently 
termed,  and  below  this  at  some  points  there  is  an  old  soil  or  muck 
bad,  underlaid  ])y  from  one  to  five  feet  or  more  of  quicksand.  Limbs 
and  trunks  of  trees  are  frequently  found  imb3dded  in  this  old  soil, 
in  whi(di  they  probably  grew,  or  in  the  bluish-gray  hard  pan  imme- 
diately above  it,  but  to  the  present  time  no  authentic  specimens  of 
animal  remains  have  been  found  in  them  in  this  State  sufficiently 
preserved  for  identification.  Some  small  fresh  water  and  land  shells 
have  bsen  found  in  the  (quicksands  in  other  portions  of  the  State, 
but  they  did  not  prove  to  be  specifically  distinct  from  those  now 
living. 

From  the  meagre  outcrops  to  bs  seen  on  the  small  streams  in 
this  county,  it  would  not  be  possible  to  construct  a  continuous  section 
of  all  the  beds  that  should  be  found  here,  but  fortunately  a  boring 
has  been  made  at  Olney  which  renders  material  assistance  in  ascer- 
tiiininff  the  ofeneral  character  of  the  formations  that  underlav  the 
southern  and  eastern  i)ortions  of  the  county  to  the  depth  penetrated 
by  the  drill.  This  boring  was  made  for  coal,  and  from  the  report  of 
the  boring  the  following  section  is  compiled: 

feet.  ins.                                                         feet.  ins. 

1.  Soil  and  drift  clay.. 13  10.  Hard rock(probably  sandstone)  36 

2.  Yellow  sandstone 28  11.  Clay  shale 22 

3.  Gray  sandstone 2  6     12.  Black  shale  and  coal  (No.  12).     2 

4.  Black  shale(horizon  of  coal  Nol3)  4  13.  Clay  shale 31 

5.  Clay  shale 29  14.  Limestone 4 

6.  Hard  rock  (probably  sandstone)  48  15.  Shale,  partly  calcareous 23 

7.  Clay  shale,  witli  black  slate 25  16.   Limestone 3 

8.  Hard  sand  rock 3  17.  Hard  rock  (probably  sandstone)  36 

9.  Clay  shale 28  — 

Total 337      6 

Two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Olney,  in  the  vicinitv  of  Boden's 
mill,  located  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  1.'),  Township  8, 
Range  10  east,  there  is  an  outtn'oi)  ^^^  *'  t'*''^  ^'^'^^  ••*  ^^^'^  creek  bod,  over- 
laid by  tli<'  following  strata: 


HIS'IXJKV    OF    KICIILAND    COUNTY.  591 

feet.  feet.  ins. 

Brown  sandstone 10  to  12     Hard  silicious  limestone,  withbrokcn 

Black  shale,  with  concretions  of  plants    2 

blue  septaria 4  to  6    Clay  shale,  with  concretions  of  lime- 
Blue  clay  shale         .5        stone 3 

Coal  (No.  13  of  general  section) 6 

The  black  shale  in  this  section  is  [)robably  identical  with  No.  4 

of  the  Olney  borinof,  and  the  tjiin  coal  below  was  wanting  there,  or 

else  was  passed  withont  observation.      Tiie  band  of  hard  silicions 

limestone  found  at  this  locality  is  a  very  durable  stone,  and  has  been 

quarried   for  bnildino-  pur[)oses.     It  is  a  refractory  stone  to  work, 

but  may  be  relied  on  for  culverts  and   bridge  abutments,  where  an 

ordinary  sandstone  would  yield  to  atmospheric  influences.     One  and 

a  half  miles  south  of  Claremont,  there  is  an  outcrop  of  the  following 

beds,  i)robably  representing  the  same  strata  seen  at  Boden's  mill, 

south  of  Olney. 

feet. 

1.  Shale lto3 

2.  Hard  calcareous  sandstone 4  to  8 

3.  Blue  shale,  with  calcareous  nodules 3  to  4 

4.  Black  laminated  shale,  extending  to  creek  level 4 

The  quarry  here  belongs  to  the  Ohio  &  Mississipi)i  Railroad,  and 
an  immense  amount  of  stone  has  been  quarried  from  the  calcareous 
sandstone  No.  2  of  the  above  section,  to  be  used  in  the  construction 
of  culverts  and  bridges  on  that  road.  This  (piarry  is  near  the  center 
of  Section  IG,  Township  8,  Range  14  east.  On  Mr.  P.  Be ny's  place, 
on  the  southeast  (juarter  of  Section  11,  Township  2,  Range  14  east, 
coal  has  been  mined  for  several  years,  in  a  limited  way,  by  stripping 
the  seam  along  its  outcrop  in  the  valley  of  a  small  stream,  a  tril)- 
utary  of  the  Bonpas.  The  coal  is  about  eighteen  inches  thick,  and 
of  good  (piality,  and  is  overlaid  by  a  few  inches  of  soft  bituminous 
shale,  and  an  argillaceous  shelly  limestone.  This  coal  is  also  mined 
on  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  same  section.  This  is  probably  coal 
No.  12  of  the  general  section,  and  must  have  been  passed  through 
in  the  l)oring  at  Olney.  and  may  lie  represented  by  No.  12  of  the 
boring  at  that  point. 

Al)out  Hve  miles  northeast  of  Olney  coal  has  been  found  on  the 
open  prairie,  at  a  depth  of  about  twenty-two  feet  below  the  general 
surface  level.  It  was  first  discovered  in  digging  a  stock  well,  and 
subsequently  an  inclined  tunnel  has  been  driven  down  to  the  coal 
and  prej)ai-!iti()ns  made  to  work  it  in  a  systematic  way.  The  roof  of 
this  seam  consists  of  clay  shale  with  some  limestone,  in  bowlder-like 
masses,  though  it  is  possible  the  limestone  masses   thrown  out    in 


592  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNT\'. 

opening  the  tinuu'l  may  boloniif  to  the  drift  ehiys  and  not  to  the  roof 
shales  of  the  eoal.  This  coal  is  found  on  the  adjoinins:  farm,  and  on 
a  farm  a  little  farther  to  the  west,  on  Section  18,  Township  4  north, 
Range  10  east,  a  double  seam  is  reported  to  have  bsen  passed  through 
in  a  bore  but  a  short  distance  below  the  surface,  the  upper  one  two 
feet  and  the  lower  one  three  feet  in  thickness,  with  a  space  of  about 
fifteen  feet  b3tween  them.  These  coals,  if  there  are  really  two  dis- 
tinct seams  here,  must  be  about  the  horizon  of  Xo.  15  of  the  general 
section,  and  this  is  probably  about  the  southern  line  of  outcrop  for 
these  coals,  as  no  indications  of  their  presence  was  found  in  the  boring 
at  Olney  or  in  sinking  wells  about  the  city,  and  from  the  topography 
of  the  surface  it  is  believed  the  surface  level  where  these  coals  have 
baen  found  is  at  least  forty  or  fifty  feet  above  the  level  at  Olney.  A 
previous  survey  notes  the  following  section  at  the  quarry  on  Section 
34,  Township  4,  Range  10  east.  1.  Soil  and  drift,  eight  feet.  2. 
Soft  buff*  sandstone,  three  feet.  3.  Hard  gray  building-stone,  four 
feet.  The  gray  sandstone  is  very  hard  and  takes  a  good  finish, 
stands  well  but  is  somewhat  marred  by  carbonaceous  spots.  At  the 
quarry  two  miles  west  of  Olney,  the  quarry  rock  is  overlaid  by 
eight  feet  of  butfsilicious  shale,  beneath  which  is  a  heavy  bedded 
buff"  sandstone  that  was  quarried  for  the  masonry  on  the  Ohio  &  Mis- 
sissippi Railroad  at  the  time  of  its  construction. 

On  Section  18,  Township  3,  R  inge  10,  on  Big  Creek,  occurs  the 
following  section:  I.  Covered  slope,  twenty-five  feet.  2.  Shalj 
sandstone,  five  feet.  3.  Heavy  bedded  sandstone,  ten  feet.  4. 
Black  bituminous  shale,  three  feet.  A  quarter  of  a  mile  down  the  creek 
a  soft  buff" sandstone  in  heavy  beds  from  four  to  ten  feet  thick  alternate 
with  thinner  bods  of  hard  bluish  sandstone.    On  S3ction  34,  Township 

3,  Range  14,  in  a  well  near  the  Higgins  mill,  sixteen  feet  of  sandstone 
was  passed  through  and  a  coal  seam  below  it  reported  to  be  twenty 
inches  thick.  Shaly  sandstone  and  clay  shale  were  seen,  overlaying 
the  heavy  bodded  sandstone  a  few  hundred  yards  above  the  mill. 
The  hills  along  the  Bonpas  are  from  twenty  to  sixty  feet  high,  com- 
posed of  drift  deposits  consisting  of  yellowish  (day  Avith  gravel  and 
small  bowlders,  th:;  latter  seldom  exceeJing  five  or  six  inches  in 
diameter.  At  the  coal  bank  on  Section  16,  Townshij)  2,  Range  14, 
the  section  is  as  follows:  1.  Soil  and  drift,  ten  feet."  2.  Buff 
sandstone  and  shale,  five  feet.     3.     Bluish  gray  limestone,  two  feet. 

4.  Shale,  two  inches.  5.  ( !oal,  on(>  foot  eight  inches.  The  shale 
over  the  coal  was  filled  with  fossil  shells,  corals,  etc.  The  limestone 
over    this  coal  was  also  se;'n  three  miles  northwest  of  the  coal  l)ank 


IIISTOUY    OF    KICIILANI)    ("OrNTV.  593 

where  it  was  formerly  (juarried  and  buruod  for  lime.  A  fiiiarter  of 
a  mile  below  the  Big-  Creek  brid<j^e,  south  of  Oluey,  is  found  the  fol- 
lowing section:  1.  Soil  and  drift,  fifteen  feet.  2.  Coarse  irregu- 
lar bedded  sandstone,  fifteen  feet.  3.  iilaek  marly  shale,  thirteen 
leet.  The  lower  part  of  the  black  shale  was  slaty  and  contained 
numerous  fossils.  Fom'aud  a  half  miles  southwest  of  Olney  a  black 
shale  outcrops  in  the  banks  of  Sugar  Creek,  about  five  feet  thick, 
underlaid  by  a  thin  coal.  A  quarter  of  a  mile  below,  at  the  bridge, 
is  seen  the  same  conglomerate  sandstone  that  occurs  on  Big  Creek, 
underlaid  by  the  same  black  shale,  which  is  sometimes  marly  and 
contains  numerous  fossils.  It  also  contains  large  nodules  of  impure 
limestone.  This  bituminous  shale  and  thin  coal  rejjresent  coal  No. 
13  of  the  general  section,  and  the  same  group  of  fossils  is  found  in 
Montgomery  County. 

MATElilAL  RESOURCES. 

Sandstone  of  a  fair  quality  for  ordinary  use  is  quite  abundant, 
and  there  is  probably  not  a  townshi[)  in  the  county  where  good 
quarries  could  not  be  opened  at  a  moderate  expense.  Many  of  these 
localities  have  been  indicated  in  the  foregoing  lines.  The  ([uarries 
south  of  Claremoni,  belonging  to  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad, 
afford  a  very  hard  and  durable  rock,  and  although  the  bed  is  only 
about  six  feet  in  average  thickness,  it  is,  fortunately,  so  situated 
as  to  require  no  great  expenditure  in  stripping,  and  the  rock  has  been 
removed  over  a  considerable  surface.  The  rock  is  a  very  hard,  gray, 
micaceous  sandstone,  and  seems  to  be  but  little  aifected  bv  longf 
exposure,  and  hence  affords  a  desirable  material  for  culverts,  bridge 
abutments,  etc.  The  sandstones  in  the  northern  and  western  por- 
tions of  the  county  are  for  the  most  part  ratlu;r  soft,  but  locally  they 
affoi-d  some  very  good  building  stone,  as  at  the  quarry  northeast  of 
Olney,  and  at  the  quarry  two  miles  west  of  the  town.  The  stratum 
of  hard,silicions  limestone  outcrop[)ingon  Big  Creek, two  miles  and  a 
half  south  of  Olney,  is  a  durable  stone  but  is  not  to  l)e  obtained  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  be  of  much  importance  as  a  building  stone. 

There  are  two  coal  seams  cropping  out  in  this  county  that  prom- 
ise to  be  of  some  value  in  supplying  the  local  demand  for  fuel,  and 
the  upper  one,  if  the?  thickness  had  been  found  persistent  over 
any  considerable  area,  would  have  furnished  all  needed  supplies  for 
the;  county  for  many  years  to  come.  The  lower  seam,  which  out- 
crops on  the  headwaters  of  the  Bonpas,  in  the  southeastern  portion 
of  the  county,  and  has  been  referred  to  as  No.  12  of  the  general  section, 


594  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTV. 

ranges  from  sixteen  to  twenty  inches  in  thickness,  and  has  only 
been  worked  by  strip[)in<r  in  the  creek  valleys  where  it  ontcrops. 
It  attbrcls  a  coal  of  yood  (|uality,  bnt  nnfortunately  is  generally  too 
thin  to  be  mined  profitably  in  a  systematic  Avay.  The  other  seam, 
five  miles  northwest  of  Olney,  is  abont  three  feet  in  thickness,  and 
an  inclined  tnmiel  has  been  carried  down  to  it,  but  the  pre[)arations 
which  were  made  for  carrying  on  the  work  systematically  for  the 
supi)ly  of  the  home  market  have  not  resulted  advantageously  to 
the  projectors,  as  yet.  This  is  probiibly  the  Shelbyville  seam,  No. 
15,  of  the  general  section,  which  is  the  thickest  seam  in  the  upper 
coal  measures  and  usually  (piite  persistent  in  its  development.  In 
Shelby  County  this  seam  affords  a  semi-ldock  coal,  of  fair  quality, 
hard  enough  to  be  handled  without  much  waste  and  tolerably  free 
from  sulphuret  of  iron,  but  showing  thin  partings  of  selenitc  on  the 
transverse  cleavage.  The  thickness  of  the  sandstones,  sliales,  etc., 
intervening  between  coals  twelve  and  fifteen  in  the  valley  of  the 
Okaw,  is  about  235  feet,  but  in  this  county  it  is  probably  somewhat 
less,  though  this  point  couUl  only  be  determined  approximately, 
from  the  lack  of  continuous  ontcrops  of  the  intervening  stratji. 
The  main  coals  of  the  lower  coal  measures  are  probabh"  from  600 
to  1,000  feet  below  the  surface  at  Olney,  and  it  would  require  an 
expenditure  of  capitil  to  open  and  work  them  that  the  present 
demand  for  coal  would  not  justify.  If  the  seam  northeast  of  Olney 
should  be  found  to  retain  an  average  thickness  of  three  feet  over 
any  considerable  area,  it  could  be  worked  profitably  and  supply  the 
home  market.  At  present  the  chief  supply  is  derived  from  the  coal- 
fields of  Indiana. 

No  limestone  is  found  especially  adapted  for  use  in  the  lime- 
kiln, though  some  attempts  have  been  made  to  use  the  rock  overlying 
coal  No.  12,  on  the  Bonpas,  for  that  purpose.  It  is  usually  too 
argillaceous  to  slack  freely  when  burned,  and  at  best,  would  only 
produce  a  very  inferior  (luality  of  lime. 

The  soil  is,  however,  the  chief  resource  of  the  county.  Th  ' 
prairies  are  generally  small  and  possess  a  rich,  productive  clay-loam 
soil  that  seems  practically  inexhaustable,  and  will  seldom  need  ferti- 
lizing if  ])ropcrly  cultivated  with  a  judicious  system  of  rotation  in 
crops.  On  the  timbered  lands  the  soil  is  less  uniform  in  (juality.  ami 
its  character  is  generally  well  indicated  by  the  various  growth  of 
timber.  Where  this  is  mainly  composed  of  two  or  three  varieties  ot 
oak  and  hickory  the  soil  is  thin  and  i)()or,  and  retjuires  frequent 
applications  of  fertilizers  to   keep  it  up  to  the  ordinary  standard  of 


/^^^^^'^    Ofa^ 


I 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND   COUNTY.  59.) 

productiveness  for  western  lands.  15ut  where  the  timber  i^rowth  is 
largely  interspersed  with  elm,  blacic-walnut,  linden,  wild  cherry, 
persinnnon,  honey-locust,  etc.,  the  soil  is  good  and  will  rank  favor- 
ably with  the  best  prairie  land  in  its  productive  qualities.  A  large 
portion  of  the  timbered  land  in  the  county  is  of  this  quality,  and  when 
cleiired  and  brought  under  cultivation  it  i)roduces  nearly  or  quite  as 
well  as  the  best  prairie  land. 

AGRICULTURE. 

The  agricultural  facilities,  methods  and  progress  of  Richland  County 
are  not  dissimilar  to  those  of  the  other  counties  reviewed  in  this  vol- 
ume. The  pioneer  farmer  found  enough  to  engage  his  attention  in  se- 
curing a  plain  subsistence  for  his  family,  but  with  the  rude,  careless 
cultivation  which  he  expended  upon  it,  the  land  yielded  considera- 
bly in  excess  of  his  demands,  and  in  the  abvsence  of  profitable  mar- 
kets, there  was  little  inducement  to  raise  more.  When  one  piece  of 
ground  was  conceived  to  be  exhausted  a  freshly  cleared  piece  was 
brought  in  sul)jection  to  the  plow,  and  the  older  })lat  temporarily 
abandoned.  There  was  little,  if  any,  systematic  farming  until  about 
18.5.").  At  this  time  the  Ohio  &  Mississipi)i  Railroad  was  constructed 
from  Vincennes  to  Saint  Louis  and  opened  up  a  market  for  the  sur- 
plus products  of  this  region,  and  with  this  incentive  the  farmer 
brought  more  care  and  thought  to  the  production  of  a  crop.  Until 
recently  th(^  subject  of  fertilizers  has  received  but  little  attention. 
The  virgin  soil  was  so  i)roductive,  and  the  stabling  of  stock  so  little 
practiced,  tiiat  the  value  or  necessity  for  the  enrichment  of  tlie 
ground  did  not  press  itself  upon  the  attention.  Of  late  3'ears  the 
barnyard  accumulations  have  generally  been  utilized  upon  the  wheat 
crop,  the  manure  bsing  spread  upon  the  sown  crop.  But  little  of 
commercial  fertilizers  have  been  used.  Occasionally  a  little  plaster 
or  phosphate  has  been  used  as  an  experiment,  but  the  richness  of 
the  soil  has  obviated  the  necessity  of  its  use.  This  fertility  has  led 
to  the  practice  of  cropping  the  ground  for  a  series  of  years  with  the 
same  grain.  Cerfciin  pieces  of  "  willow  lan<l "  and  river  bottoms  have 
produced  good  yields  of  wheat  for  twelve  or  fifteen  years  in  succes- 
sion witliout  manuring.  There  is  practically  no  rotation  of  crops 
observed  in  the  county.  The  first  crop  on  sod  ground  is  generally 
wheat,  and  this  miy  1)3  kept  in  wheat  for  a  succession  of  from  five  to 
ten  years,  and  when  found  to  be  exhausted  is  turned  out  to  recuper- 
ate in  growing  wc^eds.  There  is  more  of  systematic  rotation  of  late 
years,  though  thy  range  of  crops  is   limited;   on  flat  ground,  corn  is 


59(j  IIISTOUY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTi'. 

generally  phmted  on  sod,  and  this  followed  by  a  second  crop,  or  wheat. 
The  plan  of  cultivation  adheres  to  shallow  plowing,  about  eight 
inches  b:'ing  the  average  depth.  Deep  plowing  and  subsoiliug  have 
been  experimented  with,  but  the  advantages  are  so  remote  and  the 
surface  soil  so  little  impaired  in  its  productiveness,  that  the  practice 
has  never  gained  a  foothold  in  Richland.  In  the  matter  of  drainage 
the  county  is  still  in  the  happy  freedom  from  any  stern  necessity. 
Most  of  the  tanning  lands  have  so  good  a  natural  drainage,  that  the 
majority  of  cultivated  lands  are  dependent  upon  the  plow  only  for 
surface  drainage.  A  theory  is  maintjuned  as  to  the  advantage  of 
tile  draining,  but  the  judgment  of  the  community  upon  this  topic 
has  evaporated  in  talk.  A  tile  factory  has  been  established  about  h 
mile  south  of  Ohiey,  an  1  tile  will  probably  b?  used  to  a  considerable 
extent,  but  thus  far  no  regular  attempts  at  permanent  drains  have 
been  made. 

The  grass  crop  is  not  an  important  one  here.  Stock  is  not 
grown  or  fed  extensively,  and  grain  seems  to  have  absorbed  the  prin- 
cipal attention.  Timothy  and  redtop  are  sown  separately  or  mixed 
tor  hay,  and  considerable  quantities  are  shipped  to  foreign  markets. 
Meadows  are  not  prepared  with  special  care  before  seeding,  but  form 
a  convenient  way  of  resting  the  soil  while  the  farmer  still  retains  ita 
use.  The  average  life  of  a  meadow  is  about  three  years,  though 
some  advanced  farmers  by  manuring  it  extend  its  productiveness 
to  five  years.  At  this  age  the  woods  become  so  numerous  as  to  dam- 
a.(re  the  value  of  the  hay,  and  the  land  is  turned  over  for  wheat  or  corn, 
and  sometimes  turned  out  for  pasture.  Clover  is  sown  only  for  seed, 
which  commands  a  good  price  in  the  home  markets,  ranging  in  price 
from  $3.50  to  $8  per  bushel.  Until  very  recently  this  could 
not  be  successfully  grown  on  the  prairie  land,  though  the 
present  year  has  exceptionally  spread  the  growth  of  white  clover 
all  over  the  country.  But  little  is  sown  for  the  puri)ose  of  plowing 
under,  and  the  hay  is  so  difficult  to  handle  properly,  that  the  major- 
ity of  farmers  do  not  value  it  save  for  seed.  The  principal  crop  ot 
the  county  is  wheat,  though  at  first  it  was  supposed  that  it  would 
not  grow  here.  A  very  serious  difficulty  in  its  early  culture  here 
was  the  unfavorable  character  of  the  season,  and  this  unchanged, 
the  best  of  cultivation  would  have  probably  failed  to  secure  a  crop. 
The  early  farmers,  however,  brought  with  them  certain  methods  of 
successful  culture  in  the  cast  and  found  it  difficult  to  modify  them 
to  suit  the  new  circumstances  found  here.  Thecionsequence  was  thai 
after  repeated  ellbrts  with   careful   cultivation  si-arcely  a  straw  w»h 


HISTOKV    OF    RICHLAND    COl'NTV.  5!>7 

^loaned  and  the  (  rop  j)r()iioiiiiced  a  failure  in  this  region.  Some 
wheat  was  irrowii  during  the  yeurs  preceding  1855,  but  from  this 
date  to  1S60,  more  intelligent  effort  was  put  forth  to  master  the  sit- 
uation. The  blue  stem  was  an  early  variety  that  succeeded,  and  the 
Mediterranean.  Of  late  years  the  Fultz  wheat  has  been  the  favorite 
<jrain.  but  the  tendency  now  seems  to  trend  toward  the  Lmcaster  and 
the  olil  Mediterranean.  From  18()0  to  ISSI,  the  crop  has  beiMi  reason- 
ably sure,  producing  an  average  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen  bushels  per 
a-^re.  In  the  latter  year  there  was  a  drouth  which  resulted  in  abso- 
lute failure  of  all  crops.  In  the  following  year  the  wheat  yield  was 
very  large,  the  crop  being  estimated  at  an  average  of  eighteen  bush- 
els to  the  acre.  The  cultivation  of  this  crop  is  not  carried  on  with 
the  care  and  judgment  to  bo  expected  in  the  case  of  so  important  a 
crop.  The  ground  is  giuierally  prepared  by  plowing  in  duly  or 
August,  unless  the  season  be  wet,  when  the  plowing  is  sometimes 
deferred  to  avoid  the  growth  of  weeds  that  inevitably  spring  up  in 
such  case.  After  slight  harrowing,  the  wheat  is  drilled  i:i  and  occa- 
sionally top-dresse  1  and  rolled.  The  grain  is  threshed  in  the  fi;dd 
and  marketed  at  home.  There  are  three  grist-mills  that  buy  consid- 
erable wheat  for  manufacture,  but  the  larger  part  of  the  product 
fi:ids  its  way  througli  the  elevator  at  Olney  to  B  dtimore  and  other 
eastern  points.  Rye  and  barley  scarcely  figure  in  the  agriculture 
of  the  county.  A  limited  acreaofe  is  sown  annually  for  feed,  there 
being  but  little  or  no  sale  for  the  grains.  Oats  are  never  the  successful 
crop  here  that  they  are  in  the  north.  The  climate  is  found  too  hot  for 
its  b3st  success.  A  considerable  acreage  is  grown  but  the  product 
is  intended  for  home  use,  and  no  more  is  grown  than  is  used  here. 
An  occasional  crop  will  yield  a  grain  that  weighs  thirty-three  pounds 
to  the  bushel. 

Corn  is  only  second  to  wheat  as  a  source  of  revenue  to  the 
farmer.  It  has  always  been  a  reliable  crop,  and  that  without  the 
rarcful  cultivation  which  elsewhere  proves  so  remunerative.  The 
white  variety  was  the  early  variety  planted,  but  the  change  in  sea- 
sons scarcely  gave  it  time  to  mature  in  seasons  afi'ected  by  dry  weather. 
In  recent  years  many  have  planted  corn  secured  in  Ohio,  and  this 
while  not  bearinir  so  laroft;  an  ear,  was  found  to  mature  better  and 
quite  as  good  for  all  purposes.  This  variety  matures  in  ninety  days 
from  the  planting,  and  gets  to  a  point  in  its  growth  where  it  is  lit- 
tle ert'ected  by  the  dry  weather  which  seldom  fails  to  b?.  experienced 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  or  fall  in  this  region.  The  ground 
is  not  as  carefully  prepared  for  this  crop  as  it  should  b^.     Tho  b?tter 


598  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

tarniers  contend  tliat  the  ofround  shonld  b  >  plowed  in  the  late  fall  or 
in  the  open  period  of  the  winter.  In  the  sprinjjf  when  the  gronnd 
is  ready  to  plow  the  prepared  ground  may  be  thoroughly  harrowed 
and  planted  before  the  spring  plowing  can  be  accomplished.  But 
few  follow  this  practice,  however,  and  spring  plowing  is  the  rule. 
In  the  care  of  the  growing  crops  the  same  diversity  of  method  occurs. 
The  old  rule  of  going  through  the  field  a  certain  number  of  times 
before  *'  laying  by  "  the  crop,  is  still  too  generally  followed.  There 
are  those,  however,  who  cultivate  the  corn  until  it  becomes  too  tall 
for  further  cultivation,  and  the  increased  yield  under  this  culture 
is  in  marked  contrast  to  the  less  careful  method.  The  corn  is 
generally  husked  from  the  standing  stalk,  which  is  sometimes 
"  stripped "  and  "  topped,"  but  generally  is  left  to  stand  entire 
and  stock  turned  in  on  it  after  the  frost  of  winter  has  rendered  the 
ground  hard.  It  is  sometimes  cut  and  shocked  and  wheat  sown 
between  the  roAvs  of  shocks.  The  larger  part  of  the  product  is  sold, 
though  it  is  becoming  the  general  opinion  that  it  could  be  more 
profitably  fed  to  stock.  The  yield  ranges  from  twenty-five  to  forty- 
five  bushels  per  acre,  though  there  are  exceptional  cases  where  a 
hio-her  yield  is  obtained.  Soro-lium  and  broom-corn  are  found  in 
little  patches,  but  the  extensive  culture  of  either  is  not  observed 
here.  Fruit  is  becoming  a  prominent  source  of  agricultural  reve- 
nue in  Richland  Count}'.  Apples  are  the  leading  variety  and  almost 
the  exclusive  variety  cultivated  for  market  purposes.  This  fruit  is 
hardy  in  this  locality,  and  receives  the  most  intelligent  care.  Some 
of  the  orchards  are  quite  extensive,  one  covering  an  area  of  IGO 
acres  and  numbers  of  them  from  twenty  to  forty  acres,  each. 
The  market  is  good,  large  (juantities  being  shipped  from  the  county- 
seat.  Peaches  were  extensively  cultivated,  a  few  years  since,  but 
the  uncertainty  of  the  crop,  the  severity  of  the  winters  and  their 
disastrous'  effect  upon  the  life  of  the  trees,  have  had  a  tendency  to 
discourage  the  culture.  The  difficulty  of  reaching  a  profitable  mar- 
ket in  good  season  is  another  very  serious  discouragement,  and 
peaches  may  be  said  to  be  rather  less  than  more  than  enough  for  the 
home  demand.  Pears  are  grown  in  orchards  with  fair  success,  but 
the  ])roduct  barely  suffices  for  home  use.  Cherries  and  plums  are 
found  only  in  the  gardens  and  are  subject  to  the  usual  hindrances 
found  elsewhere.  Small  fruit  culture  is  yet  in  its  infancy.  Of  black- 
berries there  is  an  abundant  wild  growth,  which  in  favorable  yeai-s 
brings  into  the  county  a  consideral)le  revenue.  The  same  is  true  of 
nutis,  the  product  of  the  hickory  occasionally  reaching  a  remarkable 


HISTORY    OF    Ririir.AM)    COUNTY.  599 

feature  in  the  exports  of  the  county.  Strawberries  and  other  fruits 
of  this  class  are  found  to  o-i-ovv  well  here,  and  the  facilities  afforded 
by  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad  are  leading  many  to  add  this 
branch  of  horticulture  to  the  ordinaiy  culture  of  the  farm. 

The  imi)rovoments  in  stock  date  princi[)ally  within  the  last  ten 
years.     The  class  of  horses  here  were  merely  scrubs,  until  about  18()7 
or  1868.     Ill  tiiis  year  EUingsworth,  of  Effinoham  County,  exhibited 
a  Norman  stallion  at  the  fair,  that  was  very  much  admired,  and   the 
followinir  siiriuij  was  stool  in  the  county.     The   rage   for   Norman 
colts  became  almost  universal  and  a  marked  improvement  in  the  class 
of  horses  in  the  county  was  observed.     This  has  continued  until  the 
present  with  but   little  abatement.      The  "all-purpose"    horse  is 
the  one  chiefly  needed,  and  is  the  class  to  which  most  of  the  horses 
are  to  bs  referred.     Mr.  Arch.  Spring  has  several  horses  of  this  strain 
and  pays  considerable  attention  to  breeding  them.     In  the  summer 
of  1883,  E.  S.  Wilson  and  Thomas  Tippitt  received  from  the  Clydes- 
dale Horse-Breeding  Company,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  three   full-blooded  two-year   old  Clydesdale  fillies. 
Mr.  Wilson  received  "  Bonnie  Lass  "  and  "  Ida  May,"  and  Mr.  Tippitt, 
"  Rosa."     These  animals  are  claimed  to  have  more  muscle  per  pound 
of  weight  than  the  Norman,  and  are  therefore  less  slovenlv  in  irait, 
and  make  a  more  sprightly  animal.  Mr.  Wilson  has  embarked  pretty 
extensively  in  this  grade  of  horses,  and  their  exhibition  at  the  fair 
drew   forth  many  marks  of  approval.     While  this  class  of  horses 
seems  to  meet  more  fully  the  public  demand,  roadsters  and  speed 
horses  are  not  neglected  by  breeders.    Mr.  Sand  leads  in  this  variety, 
and  has  some  of  the  finest  bred  animals  in  the  State.     Mules  are  not 
so  much  bred  here  as  in  Jasper  or  Cumberland  counties.     The  taste 
seems  to  have  been  educated  in  favor  of  draft  horses,  and  hence  they 
have  not  taken  the  prominent  position  they  probably  otherwise  would. 
There  are,  however,  some  good  mules  in  the  county,  and  are  always 
found  among  the  teams  that  come  to  the  county-seat  on  special  occa- 
sions.   The  same  spirit  of  improvements  is  manifested  among  cattle. 
The  short  horn  Durham  takes  the  lead,  and  good  herds  arc  owned  by 
P.  Heltman  and  H.  B.  Miller.     Jerseys  are  represented  in  the  county 
by  G.  D.  Slanker.     Some  Ayi-shires  were  exhibited  at  the  fair  this 
year,   and  attracted   considerable   attention   by  their   peculiarities. 
Hogs  are  more  generally  marked  in  their  improvement  from  the  orig- 
inal breeds  than  any  other  kind  of  stock.     The  old  "  hazel  splitters" 
have  become  long  ago  extinct.     The  first  improvement  was  the  intro^ 
duction  of  the  Irish   Grazers,  which  have  been  succeeded   by  the 


600  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Berksliiie,  PohuKl-Chiini  and  Chester  White.  Among  the  k-iiding 
stock  men  interested  in  these  breeds  are  E.  8-  Wilson,  P.  Ileltman, 
A.  G.  Basden  and  Bowlsby  Bros.  Sheep  are  begin niiisf  to  be  found 
in  the  county  in  considerable  numbers.  William  Mc  Williams  is  the 
leading  sheep  grazer  in  Richland  County,  and  is  instrumental  in 
introducing  this  animal  considerably  in  the  county.  The  Merinos  are 
principally  represented  in  his  flocks,  though  coarse  wools  are  found  , 
here  also-  P.  Heltman  is  chiefly  engaged  in  breeding  Southdowns 
among  sheep.  The  farmers  are  to  a  large  extent  taking  sheep  '•  on 
shares,"  and  in  this  way  the  county  will  be  pretty  well  supplied 
with  this  useful  class  of  animal.  But  a  single  attempt,  so  f:ir  as 
learned,  has  baen  made  in  dairying  on  a  large  scale.  A  factory  was 
started  at  Parkersburg  about  1878,  but  the  experiment  proved  a  fail- 
ure, the  enterprise  ending  in  some  sort  of  litigation. 

AG  RlCl  LTLRAL    SOCIETIES. 

"The  Richland  County  Agricultural  Society,"  was  organized  on 
June   7,  18.5<).      For  two  years  the    Society  held  its  fairs  on  land 
belono-  to  Judge  Kitchell,  jusf  south  of  the  depot  of  the  Ohio  an<l 
Mississippi  Railroad  in  Olney.     In  1858,  ten  acres,  a  mile  east  of  the 
court  house,  were  rented  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  bought  in  18t)0  by  the 
Societ3^     Here  the  fairs  were  held   with  varying  success  until  1878. 
The  history  of  the  Society  is  one  of  struggle  against  failure.     In 
1870,  the  records  show  that  the  business  men  were  solicited  to  closer 
their  stores  and  attend  the  fair,  at  least  during  two  days,  and  special 
premiums  sought  to  eke  out  the  meagre  "attractions  "  offered  by  the 
Society.     In   1872,  the  name  of  the  Society   was  changed  under  the 
Act  of  1871,  to  the  "Richland  County   Agricultural  Board,"  and   at 
the  same  time  it  was  sugijested  that  the  ground  be  sold  or  traded  for 
a  new  one.     The   Society's  resources  were  exhausted,  and  no^more 
fairs  were  held  until  1878,  when  the  Board  made  overtures  to  the 
Driving   Park   Association  to    take  charge  of  the  fairs.     The   first 
movement  was  to  secure  the  use  of  the  gromids  for  the  ])urposes  of 
a  fair,  but  it  eventually  took  the  other  shape.     Under  this  jirninge- 
ment,  the  Board  assioncd  to  the  Association  their  State  Aid  Fund  of 
$100,  the  old  Floral  Hall  building,  and    loose   lumber,  and  in  this 
fall  the  sixteenth  exhibition  was  held.     In  187ii,  the  Board  sold  their 
ground  to  the  Park  Association  for   twenty-Hve  paid-up  shares  iu 
the  latter  organization,  and  fairs  were  held  regularly  untler  this  joint 
arrangement  until  1S81.     The  drouth  of  this  year,  which  destroyed 
the  entire  agricultmnl  protluct  of  the  county,  made  the  failure  of  the 


IIIiSTOHY    OK    KICllLANI)    COUNTY-  601 

tair  a  toregoiio  conoliision  and  none  was  hold.  Since  then  the  fairs 
have  been  rei^-uhirly  held  nnder  the  auspices  of  the  Driving  Park  As- 
sociation. In  1883,  the  Twenty-Sixth  exhibition  of  the  Agricultural 
Board  was  held.  This  number  includes  the  years  from  1872  to  1878, 
when  no  fairs  were  held  and  omits  the  year  of  1881,  and  was  tlie 
Twentieth  actual  exhibition.  The  season  Avas  in  some  respects  un- 
tavorable  to  a  successful  exhibition.  The  long  continuance  of  dry 
weather  made  the  dust  a  great  barrier  to  comfort,  and  kept  away  a 
large  number  who  would  pro])ably  have  been  in  attendance.  The  show 
of  stock  was  o-ood,  and  other  features  were  attractive,  but  the  organ- 
ization  did  not  realize  any  margin  of  profit. 

The  Olney  Driving  Park  Association  was  incorporated  as  a  stock 
company  on  May  16,  1878,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $.5,000  in 
shares  of  $25  each.  Some  two  hundred  and  twelve  shares 
were  subscribed  when  the  books  were  opened,  and  in  April  the  stock 
was  assessed  20  per  cent.,  and  the  work  on  the  grounds  begun. 
Thirty  acres  in  the  western  part  of  Olney  were  rented  of  M.  M.  St. 
John,  an  amphitheater,  100  feet  long  and  thirteen  seats  high,  a  Floral 
Hall,  100x24  feet  and  16  feet  high,  with  30  box  stalls,  100  open  stalls 
and  50  pens  constructed,  ])esidc  judges'  stand,  ticket  office,  fencing, 
etc.  All  this  was  accomplished  at  an  expense  of  some  $5,000,  and  the 
Association  is  now  in  possession  of  one  of  the  finest  grounds  for  the 
purpose  in  the  State.  The  ground  is  about  eciually  divided  between 
ffrove  and  clearinsf.  The  track  is  well  formed  and  fenced  on  both 
inside  and  outside.  There  is  but  one  display  had  at  present,  a  tent 
being  used  for  fioral  exhibits  this  year.  A  July  meeting  is  held 
each  year  and  the  fair  in  the  latter  part  of  September. 

STATISTICS. 

The  assessor  reports  for  1883,  show  that  there  is  no  one  in  the 
county  owning  any  bonds  or  stocks,  gold  or  silver  plated  ware;  that 
there  is  only  $50  worth  of  diamonds,  and  they  were  accidentally 
found  in  Olney  Township;  that  there  is  not  a  piano  in  German,  Den- 
rer,  Decker  or  Bonpas  townships;  that  there  are  ten  billiard  tables 
in  the  county,  and  they  are  in  Olney;  that  1,522  dogs  were  discov- 
ered by  the  assessors,  and  that  the  total  value  of  all  property  as 
assessed  is  $2,098,277. 

The  summary  of  personal  property  is  as  follows: 

No.     Av.  Val.  Ass'd  Val. 

Horses  of  all  ages 3,664     $  24  28       $88,983 

Cattle  of  all  ages 7,190  7  72         55,537 


602 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 


Mules  and  asses  of  all  asfcs />74        27  70 

Sheep  of  all  asfes 10,5i»l  9i> 

Hogs  of  all  ages ^,1183  1  60 

Steam  engines  and  boilers 38      154  26 

Fire  or   burglar  proof  safes 50        32  14 

Billiard,  pigeon  hole,  bagatelle  or  other 

similar  tables   10         47  50 

Carriages  and  wagons  of  whatever  kind    1,742        14  05 

Watch'es  and  clocks 2,350  1  10 

Sewing  or  knitting  machines 1,251  6  16 

Piano   fortes 72        48  50 

Mclodeons  and  organs 174        23  75 

Merchandise  on  hand 

Material  and  manufactured  articles  on  hand 

Manufacturers'  tools,  implements  and  machinery  (other 
than  enofines  and  boilers  which  are  to  be  listed  as 

such) 

Agricultural  tools,  implements  and  machinery 

Diamonds  and  jewelry 

Moneys  of  bank,  banker,  broker  or  stock-jobber 

Moneys  of  other  than  bank,  banker,  broker  or  stockjobber. 
Credits  of  other  than  bank,  banker,  broker  or  stock-jobber. 
Property  of  companies  and  corporations  other  than  here- 
inbefore enumerated 

Property  of  saloons  and  eating  houses 

Household  or  office  fin-niture  and    property   

Grain  on  hand 

All  other  personal  property  required  to  be  listed 

Shares  of  stock  of  State  or  National  banks 


16,009 

10,585 

14,329 

5,862 

1,607 

475 

24,491 

2,557 

7,709 

3,495 

4,127 

45,530 

950 


3,963 

18,278 

50 

4,540 
12,102 
45,084 

1,961 
2,250 

42,995 
4,409 
1,743 

31,000 


Total  value  of  personal    property $450,(501 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  real  estate  values  of  the  county: 


TOWNS. 

Improved 

Unimproved   Total  lands. 

Improved 
lots. 

Unimpr'ed 

Total    loU. 

lands. 

lands. 

lots. 

Acres 

Value 

Ac's 

Value 

Acres 

Value 

loU 

Value 

lots 

Value 

lots 

Value 

German 

17715 

•101982 

5.588 

8  1S113 

2;W03 

$  120095 

Preston 

17416 

94100 

8470 

32340 

2.5886 

126440 

65 

{    3770 

35 

$    498 

100 

$     4268 

Denver 

17210 

93965 

51.53 

1.582;3 

22563 

109788 

Noble 

19322 

105989 

65  i  9 

24657 

25901 

130640 

1.50 

15214 

150 

1425 

.300 

16639 

Decker 

13515 

67388 

8765 

.30026 

22280 

97414 

Madison 

17397 

104859 

8224 

22786 

25621 

129645 

120 

5245 

68 

a32 

188 

5577 

Bonpas 

um:^ 

62772 

104.57 

354.59 

23.350 

98231 

Clarcinont      ... 

18817 
22(58 

105201 
181263 

7868 
7!)57 

08861 

28224 
27021 

26685 
30015 

133425 
208884 

5lI.'.2.-)08 

57 

892 

1284 

5442 
219047 

159 
902 

1314 

782 
16090 

216 
1794 

2598 

6234 

Olncy 

235737 

Total 

156743 

$917519 

823r>ai9 

225604 

$248718 

$19727 

$  2(58445 

■».     .<« 


^<^^^^^a^^(lL^Zu;^ytt- 


HISTOHY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  ()()3 

The  following  is  a  I nio  and  correct  statement  of  the  auricult- 
nral  statirstics  lierejifter  named,  in  the  county  of  Richland,  for  the 
year  ending  December  81,  1882,  and  the  acreasre  for  1883,  as  appears 
from  the  Assessors'  returns  filed  in  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk: 

No.  Acres     No.  bu.  pro- 
1883        duced  1882. 

Corn 2."),102         5f^r),{)2.i 

Winter  wheat 41,948         ,57(;,()()1 

Oats 10,013        307,.")82 

Apple   orchard 2,493         124,812 

Peach  orchard 17  1,220 

Pear  orchard 1  12 

Vineyards (i  258   sral 

Timothy  meadow l."),179  10,596  ton 

Clover  meadow 1,(562  830  ton 

Prairie  meadow 1,172  867  ton 

Hungarian  and  millet 85  92  ton 

Rye 698  5,719   bu. 

Buckwheat 30  126   bu. 

Beans 4  152   bu. 

Peas 6  47    bu. 

Irish  potatoes 575  36,322   bu. 

Sweet  potatoes 8  1,486   bu. 

Tobacco 3  3,548  lbs. 

Broom  corn 19  2,000  lbs. 

Cotton  (lint) 10  lbs. 

Flax  ( tihre) 15  155  lbs. 

Sorgo 317  11,412   gal 

Turnip  and  other  root  crops 7        $120,656 

Other  fruits  and  berries 1  65 

Other  crops  not  named  above 611 

Pasture .    19,689 

Woodland 39,544 

Uncultivated  land 15,322 

Total  number  acres  in  county 174,839 

Number  of  horses  and  colts,  1883 3,935 

Number  of  colts  foaled  in  1882 253 

Number  of  horses  and  colts  died  in  1882 1 70 

Total  value  of  horses  and  colts  died  in  1882 $9,460 

Numl)er  cattle,  all    ages,  1883 8,487 

Number  fat  cattle   sold,  1882 990 

37 


604  HISTOUY    OF    RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

Total  gross  weiirht  tat  cattle  sold,  1882,  lbs 7(i  1,778 

Number  cattle,  any  age,  died  of  disease,  1882 104 

Total  value  cattle  died  of  disease,  1882 $2,872 

Cows,  number  kept,  1883 73,o71 

Pounds  butter  sold,  1882 72,()Oi» 

Pounds  of  cheese  sold,  1882 2,11"> 

Gallons  cream  sold,  1882 100 

Gallons  milk  sold,  1882 3,775 

Number  sheep  and  lambs,   1883 13,854 

Number  sheep,  any  aire,  killed  b}'  dogs,  1882 285 

Total  value  sheep  killed  by  dogs,  1882 $908 

Number  of  sheep,  any  age,  died  of  disease,  1882 337 

Total  value  sheep  died  of  disease,  1882 §1,094 

Number  pounds  wool  shorn,  1882 36,018 

Number  fat  sheep  sold,  1882 920 

Totiil  gross  weight  fat  sheep   sold,  1882 80,670 

Number  hogs  and  pigs,  1883 12,227 

Number   fat  hogs   sold,  1882 2,024 

Total  gross  weight  ftit  hogs  sold,  1882,  lbs 432,493 

Number  of  hogs  and  pigs  died  of  cholera,  1882 902 

Total  gross  Aveight  swine  died  of  cholera,  1882 67,050 

Number  of  hogs  died  of  disease  other   than  cholera,  1882. . .  310 
Total  gross  weight  hogs  died   of  disease  other  than  cholera, 

1882,  lbs . 22,805 

Number  of  hives  of  bees,  1883, 1,244 

Number  pounds  honey  produced,  1882 10,403 

Number  bushels  timothy  seed  produced,  1882 6,987 

Number  bushels  clover  seed   produced,  1882 375 

Number  bushels  hungarian  and  millet  seed  produced,  1882.  .  307 

Number  bushels  flax  seed  i)roduced,  1882 l,61(i 

Number  pounds  grapes  produced,  1882 4,38(> 

Number  feet  drain    tile  laid,  1882 1,900 

THE   EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

The  immigration  of  southeastern  Illinois  pressed  close  upon  the 
retreating  savages.  Under  the  treaty  by  which  this  region  was  ceded 
to  the  whites,  the  Indians  held  it  as  their  hunting  grounds  until  it 
was  opened  for  settlement  by  the  general  government.  Before  this 
could  be  done  the  land  must  be  surveyed,  and  although  this  was  l)egun 
as  (>arly  as  1814,  it  was  four  years  later  before  the  territory  of  Rich- 
land County  was  staked  out.     The  natives  had  no  villages  within  the 


niSTOKY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  ()05 

territory  under  consideration,  but  the  game  that  found  food  and  shel- 
ter here  for  3''ears,  attracted  the  native  huntei-s.  The  Winnebagos, 
the  Mianiis,  the  Poitawatomios,  and  the  Siiawnees,  were  represented 
by  roaming  bands  initil  the  early  part  of  181JS,  when  they  departed 
never  to  retiu'n  in  any  considerable  numbers.  The  country  within 
the  present  boundaries  of  Richland  County,  was  well  calculated  to 
attract  a  people  accustomed  to  frontier  life,  and  no  sooner  was  it  open 
for  pre-emption,  than  considerable  numbers  gathered  here  from  the 
surrounding  country.  In  the  absence  of  well-established  lines  o^ 
travel,  the  rivers  formed  the  easiest  means  of  transportation,  and  it 
was  along  these,  that  the  early  population  gathered.  The  "  Wabash 
country,"  which  included  the  margin  of  that  stream  both  in  Indiana 
and  Illinois,  was  noted  far  and  near.  The  volunteers  who  had  taken 
part  in  Clarke's  campaigns,  spread  the  rei)orts  of  its  fertility  and 
bejiuty  far  and  near,  and  caused  a  large  inflow  of  jjopulation  from 
the  south,  as  rapidly  as  the  Indian  title  could  be  extinguished.  The 
war  of  1812  checked  this  flow  of  immigration  for  a  short  time,  but 
even  the  dangers  to  which  pioneei*s  at  that  time  were  exposed,  did  not 
prevent  their  coming  on  to  this  debatable  ground.  Thus  it  was,  that 
in  1814,  the  Lower  Wabash  Avas  found  so  generally  in  possession  of 
the  whites,  that  the  counties  of  White  and  Edwards  were  formed  and 
organized.  In  the  same'year.  Palmyra  was  laid  out,  and  the  seat  of 
justice  for  all  this  region  of  the  State  extending  to  the  Lake,  estab- 
lished there.  The  projectors  of  this  village  were  enterprising  men, 
and  so  stimulated  and  attracted  immigration,  that  the  town  took  on  a 
rapid  gi'owth.  In  1820,  the  town  was  one  of  the  most  noted  places 
in  the  West.  It  had  stores,  shops,  a  bank,  and  a  jail,  beside  a  niun- 
ber  of  professional  men.  All  these  evidences  of  thrift  attracted  set- 
tlers to  this  region  of  country.  Up  to  about  1816  the  principal  set- 
tlements in  Edwards  County  were  the  Compton  settlement,  composed 
of  six  or  eight  families,  located  in  the  heavy  timber  about  three  miles 
al)ove  Palmyra,  the  French  settlement  at  Saint  Francisville,  on  the 
Wabash,  some  families  at  Bowman's  Hill,  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Wabash,  opposite  to  Vincennes,  some  seventy-five  persons  on  La 
Motte  Prairie,  a  half  dozen  families  near  York,  a  few  at  McAuley's  on 
the  Little  Wabash,  fourteen  miles  west  of  Olney,  and  others  at 
Mount  Carmel,  Fort  Barney,  Decker's  Prairie,  Round  Prairie,  at  Mc- 
Clary's  Blufl'and  Cottee  Island.  These  settlements,  it  will  be  observed, 
were  in  the  territory  now  embraced  by  the  limits  of  Wabash,  Law- 
rence, Crawford,  Clark,  Clay  and  Edwards  counties,  and  along  the 
Wabash  River,  princi})ally,  or  on  some  stream  then  navigable  for  flat- 


606  HI8TOKY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

boats,  or  hoped  to  be  so.  Richlanrl  Coiiuty  was  thus  left  untouched, 
because  it  presented  less  attractions,  rather  than  any  respect  for  the 
rights  the  Indians  miirht  claim  under  their  treaties.  Many  of  these 
settlements  were  made  as  early  as  1810  or  lsl2,  Imt  there  was  no 
disposition  to  venture  into  the  interior  until  the  pacification  of  the 
Indians  after  the  war  of  1812-14. 

The  Pioneers  of  MwMand  County. — With  all  this  vigorous  devel- 
opment to  the  south  and  east  of  the  territory  of  Richland  County,  it 
was  not  to  be  expected  that  the  tide  of  immisfration  settinir  towar.l 
the  West,  would  long  be  restricted  to  such  narrow  bounds.  ]\Iany 
of  the  first  comers  Avere  already  feeling  crowded,  and  the  hunters 
were  beginning  to  make  longer  and  longer  excursions  to  the  interior, 
and  the  reports  of  the  numerous  streams,  the  fine  timber,  the  small 
prairies  and  rolling  character  of  the  land,  began  to  create  a  desire  to 
take  possession  of  the  land.  This  territory  Avas  pleasantly  divided 
between  prairie  and  timber  land  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  the 
larger  part,  perhaps,  being  in  timber.  The  prairies  Avere  generally 
small,  the  timber  skirting  the  streams  sent  out  spurs  in  such  a  Avay 
as  to  completely  encircle  them,  and  afforded  the  most  desirable  loca- 
tion for  a  home  that  could  be  imagined  in  the  mind  of  a  pioneer. 
Fox  Prairie,  extending  through  the  county  betAveen  the  Big  ]\Iuddy 
and  the  Fox  River  timbers,  Avas  the  largest  one  in  the  county,  and  was 
circumscribed  on  either  end  in  adjoining  counties.  In  the  northeast 
corner  of  Preston  ToAvnship,  was  a  spur  of  the  Grand  Prairie,  from 
Avhich  a  line  of  open  country  extended  to  the  Lake.  Stringtown  Prai- 
rie Avas  found  in  the  northeast  corner  of  German  Township  and  the 
adjoining  county  of  LaAvrence,  and  had  an  area  of  some  thirt}-  square 
miles.  In  Claremont  ToAvnship  a  strip  of  prairie  is  formed  by  the 
Bugaboo  Creek,  the  head  Avaters  of  the  Boni)as  and  Fox  rivers,  Avhich 
extends  in  an  irregular  direction  southwesterly  through  Claremont 
and  Madison  townshii)s,  and  is  essentially  one,  though  sufficiently 
divided  by  sparse  timber  to  acquire  three  names,  Christy,  Calhoun 
and  Sugar  Creek,  beginning  Avith  its  northern  terminus.  It  Avas 
on  the  edge  of  these  several  i)rairies  that  the  first  settlements  gathered. 

It  is  difficult  to  learn  Avho  Avas  the  first  pci-manent  settler  in  Rich- 
land County.  It  is  tiie  belief  of  some,  that  Thaddcus  ]Morehouse 
<-ame  in  Islo,  and  William  Duminet  about  181(5,  and  they  may  have 
been  the  first,  but  it  is  i)robable  that  if  the  date  of  each  family's  com- 
ing WJLS  accurately  knoAvn,  so  closely  did  they  come  in  about  this  time, 
that  several  Avould  be  in  the  front  rank.  Llovd  Riwlino's  came  Avheii 
a  lad  of  thirteen  to  LaAvrence  County,  in  1815,  but  his  residence  in 


HISTORY   or   KKHLAM)   COUNTY.  ti()7 

what  is  now  Richland,  does  not  date  earlier  than  1JS28.  He  n\  a.s  longer 
in  this  region  than  any  man  now  living  in  the  county,  but  at  this 
writing  he  has  just  passed  away,  and  it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to 
add  a  short  sketch  of  his  career  as  it  appears  in  the  papers. 

]\Ir.  Kawlings  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  in  Geauga  County, 
in  the  year  1802.  He  emigrated  to  Lawrence  County,  111.,  which  at 
that  time  comprehended  the  eastern  half  of  Richland  County.  He 
was  married  to  ]\Iatilda  Ruark,  in  1828.  In  April,  1849,  he,  with 
ele\'en  others  from  Riclihind  County,  went  the  overland  route  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  there,  whilst  with  one  O.  Hayes,  deer  hunting,  was  attacked 
by  a  grizzly  bear.  He  and  Hayes  had  separated  at  the  head  of  a  small 
ehai)peral,  to  meet  at  the  other  extremity.  The  bear  retreating  from 
Hayes  encountered  Mr.  Rawlings.  So  close  were  they,  that  before  Mr. 
Rawlings  could  bring  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  to  fire,  the  bear,  rear- 
insf  on  his  hind  feet,  struck  Mr.  Rawlinirs'  jrun  from  his  shoulder  with 
a  blow  of  his  paw,  at  the  same  time  prostrating  Mr.  Rawlings,  who 
only  had  time  to  say,  "  Oh  I  Hayes!"  Avhen  the  bear,  placing  one  foot 
on  his  breast,  took  his  whole  face  within  his  extended  jaws,  the  upper 
teeth  closing  on  the  top  of  the  skull,  and  the  lower  teeth  beneath 
the  lower  jaw,  but  being  old  and  the  teeth  blunt,  whilst  Mr.  Raw- 
lings' lower  jaw  and  cheek  bone  were  broken,  the  blunt  upper  tusks 
slipi)ed  over  the  skull  down  his  forehead  and  face,  scraping  the  bone. 
Hayes  had  heard  the  cry,  and  rushing  up,  the  noise  of  his  approach 
caused  the  bear  to  raise  his  head  and  turn  towards  Hayes,  who  fired 
on  the  bear,  shooting  him  through  the  neck.  The  bear  fell,  as  Hayes 
supposed,  dead.  Mr.  Rawlings  raised  his  gory  face,  with  one  pro- 
truding eyeball,  and  remarked  to  Hayes,  "You  have  killed  the  bear, 
but  the  bear  has  killed  me."  Hayes  placed  his  friend  on  one  of  their 
mules,  and  escorted  him  to  camp,  where,  after  careful  treatment,  he 
recovered,  to  outlivi?  by  twenty  years,  his  rescuer.  The  bear  was  an 
enormous  brute,  weighing  upwards  of  1,000  pounds.  He  bore  the 
marks  of  this  accident  to  the  day  of  his  death. 

While  a  few  may  have  reached  Richland  County  in  181G  or  1817, 
the  larger  number  of  the  earlier  families  came  in  1818.  It  appeal's 
that  the  Indian  right  to  this  territory  exi)ired  at  this  time,  though 
there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  it  was  any  consideration  of  this  sort 
that  restrained  the  pioneers  from  settling  here.  At  this  time  the 
Evans  family,  consisting  of  several  boys  and  a  widowed  mother,  set- 
tled on  the  east  side  of  Fox  Prairie.  This  family  was  from  Kentucky 
originally,  and  had  located  on  Allison  Prairie  ojjposite  Vincennes, 
some  years  before.     Here  the  father  died,  and  the  family  consisting 


608  HISTORY   OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

of  several  boys  beiran  to  feel  that  they  must  have  more  room,  where 
each  could  make  a  farm  for  himself.  The  land  had  not  then  been 
sun'eyed,  but  they  chose  a  site  on  the  old  trace  near  Sugar  Creek,  a 
branch  of  the  Fox  Kiver,  and  began  their  imi)rovements.  A  striking 
incident  illustrative  of  the  close  succession  of  the  whites  to  the  rights 
of  the  savage,  was  the  first  home  of  the  Evans  tamily.  They  followed 
the  old  trail  from  Viucennes  to  Saint  Louis,  till  it  merged  in  the  old 
trace  from  Louisville,  with  no  clear  idea  of  where  they  would  per- 
manently locate,  but  at  this  point  they  found  an  Indian  wigwam  sa 
recently  abandoned  that  the  fire  had  not  yet  died  out,  and,  rekindling 
the  expiring  blaze,  they  took  possession  of  the  camp  and  prepared 
to  fix  a  pernument  home.  In  the  following  winter,  the  surveyors 
reached  this  point,  and  established  the  southwest  corner  of  Sec- 
tion 1,  Township  3,  Range  9,  east  of  the  third  meridian,  right  in 
the  midst  of  their  improvements.  The  lines  thus  established  did  not 
suit  their  plans,  and  in  the  following  year  the  boys  separated,  tidcing 
other  lands  within  the  limits  of  Noble  Township. 

The  general  survey  of  the  county  seems  to  have  been  the  signal 
for  a  considerable  inniiigration  of  the  unsettled  portions  of  surround- 
ing communities.  There  was  a  natural  hesitation  before,  to  begin 
improvements  which  cost  a  good  deal  of  labor,  when  there  was  a 
risk  that  the  survey  would  show  that  the  results  of  their  labor  could 
only  be  secured  by  a  larger  purchase  than  they  were  able  to  make, 
and  hence  when  this  doubt  Avas  removed  by  fixed  lines,  there  was  a 
general  movement  on  the  part  of  those  who  had  bc^cn  Avaiting  only 
for  this  consummation.  It  is  ditticult  to  definitely  fix  upon  the  dati' 
when  the  various  settlements  Avere  begun  atth(^  ditlerent  points,  but 
most  of  them  were  bcgim  in  1818  or  181i).  The  old  trace  road  Avas 
largely  instrumental  in  determining  the  location  of  many.  Money  Avas 
a  diflficult  thing  to  get,  and  the  i)ioneer  took  advantage  of  every  cir- 
cumstance that  i)romised  to  bring  it  Avitliin  his  reach.  To  the  ear- 
liest settlers,  the  entertainment  of  travelers  Avas  the  surest  resource, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  most  profital>le  method.  Coon  hmiting  and 
trai)ping  brought  reasonably  sure  returns,  but  invoh'cd  an  expendi- 
ture of  time  Avhich  AA^as  needed  upon  the  farm.  The  taA'crn  made 
demands  only  u])on  such  supplies  as  the  frontier  farm  abundantly  fur- 
nished, andAvas  conducted  at  anearlvdav  larirely  bv  the  avoukmi.  It 
Avas  such  considerations  that  brought  the  early  settlement  along  the 
trace  road.  Others  Avere  drnAvn  here  from  the  fact  that  land  thus 
]>laced  Avas  more  valuable  from  its  nearness  to  an  outlet  to  market. 
Among  the  earliest  to  settle  on  the  line  of  the  "  trace  road  "  Avas  Tiiad- 


HISTORY    or    IJTniT.AND    COUNTY.  G09 

(lens  Morehouse.  He  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  from  whence  he  emi- 
grated to  Oliio,  and  thence  to  JncUana,  finally  reachinfif  this  section 
ahout  1818,  and  settlini^  on  Section  3i),  in  Olney  Township,  where 
he  kept  tavern  for  a  number  of  years.  BenJMmin  Boirart  was  another 
early  settler;  a  native  of  East  Tennessee,  who  fixed  his  residence  Just 
west  of  Morehouse  about  the  same  time.  Bryant  Bullard,  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  settled  on  Section  (3,  in  Claremont,  on  this  road, 
with  John  and  Amos.  The  latter  was  the  second  blacksmith  in  the 
county,  purchasing  the  tools  of  Thomas  Gardner,  who  opened  the  first 
shop  in  the  county.  James  Elliot,  a  native  of  the  same  State,  settled 
east  of  Claremont  village,  butsubsecpiently  came  to  the  site  of  Olney, 
and  entered  land,  where  he  lived  and  died.  Lot  Basden  was  another 
pioneer  from  North  Carolina,  and  located  on  Section  2,  in  Claremont 
Township. 

On  Sugar  Creek  Prairie,  Sections  23,  24,  25  and  2^,  Robert  and 
Neal  Carpenter,  James  and  Charles  Hensley,  Daniel  Williams,  John 
Clark,  William  Hughs,  George  Cross,  John  Crawford  and  ^Marcus 
Wilson  settled  in  1818,  and  in  the  followin<>-  year  this  settlement  wtis 
increased  by  the  addition  of  James  Parker  and  Al)rahani  Morrell, 
and  in  1820  by  Thomas  Mason,  William  Nash  and  his  brother.  East  of 
this  settlement,  was  another  in  the  timber  of  Bonpas  Township,  about 
two  miles  and  a  half  southeast  of  Spencer's  old  mill.  This  consisted 
of  the  families  of  William  and  Georire  Hisrsfins,  of  New  Enirland, 
Reason  Ruark,  of  Ohio,  and  Spencer.  James  Richards,  of  Virginia, 
settled  on  Calhoun  Prairie.  When  a  lad  of  sixteen  years  he  ran  away 
from  home,  and  joined  General  Wayne's  army  in  1794.  A\'hile  wnth 
the  army,  he  cut  the  first  tree  for  the  block-house  built  on  the  site  of 
Cincinnati.  H,»  subserpiently  came  to  Edwards  County  and  settled 
here,  where  he  died  a  short  time  after  1840.  On  Calhoun  Prairie,  in 
the  southwest  corner  of  Claremont  Township,  a  settlement  was 
formed  about  1818  by  Hugh  Calhoun,  Sr.,  and  H.  Calhoun,  Jr., 
Thomas  Gardner,  George  Cunningham  and  Joshua  Johnson,  sons-in- 
law  of  Calhoun.  The  Calhouns  were  natives  of  South  Carolina,  and 
neighbors  and  relatives  of  the  famous  stjitesman,  John  C.  Calhoun. 
G.irdncr  was  a  native  of  G  'orgia,  and  the  first  blacksmith  in  the 
county.  rJohn  and  Richard  Philips,  from  Indiana,  were  in  the  set- 
tlement, and  some  years  later  the  infiuential  family  of  Reeds,  from 
Oliio,  were  residents  here.  Stringtown  Prairie  numbered  among  the 
early  settlements  of  this  county,  as  well  as  that  of  Jasper.  Here 
were  the  Cral)trees  and  Mattinglys,  Sanuiel  Butler  and  Charles  Stu- 
derville.     On   the   west  side  of  Fox   River,  in   Section  5  of  Olney 


610  HISTOUY    OF    KICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Towiisliii),  ^\'illiaIu  Duuiinct  was  an  early  settler,  and  in  l&H),  Elijah 
Nelson.     The  latter  was  a  native  of  Sonth  Carolina,  but  came  with 
his  father  to  Tenn&ssee,  and  thence  to  Indiana.     He  was  (luite  a  bee 
hunter,  and  made  one  or  two  trips  into  this  reijion  in  (jucst  of  his 
special  game.     In  the  fall  of  1811),  with  his  father  and  some  neigh- 
bors, he  made  a  trip  and  fixed  on  the  site  of  Sailor's  springs,  in  Clay 
County,  for  a  new  home.     In  the  following  year  the  family,  consist- 
ing of  Elijah,  his  sister,  and  father  and  mother,  started   for  the  site 
chosen,   but  the   river   l)eing   up    they   were  forced  to   stop  short 
of  their  destination,  and  with  that  adaptalulity  to  circumstances  so 
characteristic  of  the  pioneer,  he  decided  to  settle  near  the  old  "trace 
road''  on  Section  .5.     Here,  in  1S21,  he  built  his   home,  which    was 
one  of  the  most  pretentious  in  the  county  at  the  time.     He  found 
the  frame  standing;  this  he  covered  on   three  sides  with  split  clap- 
boards, jointed  an,d  smoothed  like  modern  siding;  on  the  remaining 
side  he  sawed  out  plank  with  a  whip  saw,  and  finished  it  in  the  high- 
est style  of  the  art.     Here  for  years  he  kept  a  tavern,  which,  with 
that  of  Morehouse,  did  a  thriving  business.     For  a  long  time  this 
was  the  end  of  a  division  of  the  stage  line  from  Vincennes  to  Saint 
Louis,  and  every  night,  save  two,  in  the  week,  two  stages  with  their 
passengers  found  lodging  here.     In  addition  to  these  names  should 
be  added  those  of  Cornelius   Delong,   James    Gilmore   and  Willis 
Blanchard,  who  settled  on   the  "trace   road,"  west  of  the  village  of 
(Jlarcmont;  John  Jeffers  and  John  Mathis,  early  settlers  near  the 
Watertown  settlement;  William  AValls,  John  Rogers  and  Matthew 
Duckery,  on  the  Sugar  Creek  Prairie. 

With  all  the  information  which  may  bt>  gathered  of  the  early 
settlement,  it  is  impossible  to  accurately  locate  the  place  and  time  of 
all  the  early  pioneers.  In  1820,  there  were  some  thirty  families  in 
the  territory  now  known  as  Richland  C-ounty,  all  of  whom,  with  few 
exceptions,  had  come  in  from  1818  to  1820.  But  with  all  these 
accessions,  the  coimtry  was  by  no  means  densely  settled.  From  the 
Sugar  Creek  Prairie  settlement  lo  Albion,  the  i)resent  county-seat  of 
Edwards  County,  there  was  in  1820  no  house  to  be  seen,  and  north- 
ward to  the  house  of  Willis  Blanchard,  there  were  only  the  cal)ins 
of  the  two  Calhouns  and  Johnson.  With  so  vigorous /i  beginning, 
however,  accessions  were  certain  and  rapid  for  a  new  country. 
James  Laws,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  was  an  early  accession.  He 
lived  sometime  in  Liwreiice  County,  on  or  near  the  county  line 
east  of  Claremont  village.  Lewis  and  William  Liws  lived  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  and  John  near  Bugaboo  Creek.  The  Stewarts, 
of  South  Carolina,  and  Chci'ks,  of  Georgia,  were  early  tiimilies  in 


msTOUV    OF    RlfllLAM)    COINTYA  ^  llll 

this  vicinity.  The  Siiydors,  of  Kentucky,  settled  at  llickoiy  P()int> 
ill  Claremoiit  Township,  about  l&2't,  and  the  Lowrys,  from  the  same 
place,  settled  here  about  the  same  time.  On  Grand  Prairie,  were 
/the  families  of  John  liush,  the  Glenns  and  Harrises,  and  in  1X21* 
I  Elijah  Utterback  and  Joshua  Cotterel,  both  natives  of  Kentucky. 
8hadrack  Kuark  was  one  of  the  advance  of  the  second  inmiiiiration. 
He  was  an  itinerant  Methoilist  minister  in  Ohio.  About  183(5  or  1^^37, 
he  made  a  visit  to  his  brother,  settled  in  Boni)as,  and  became  enam- 
ored with  the  country  here.  On  his  return  to  Ohio,  he  spread  the 
fame  of  this  tair  territory  far  and  near  as  he  traveled  his  circuit,  and 
many  were  induced  to  come  liere  about  1840.  About  this  time  also 
came  a  lar^e  number  of  German  families,  who  settled  principally  in 
the  northern  ranue  of  townships.  Among  them  were  the  Ginders, 
the  Schneiders,  the  Cletfers,  the  Kusters,  the  Spitts,  the  Weilers,  the 
Eyers,  the  Sterchies,  the  Swallens  and  the  Balmers,  most  of  whom 
were  from  Stark  County,  Ohio.  Up  to  this  second  immigration,  the 
larger  proportion  of  the  county  was  open  to  pre-emption,  and  even 
in  18.50  there  was  a  considerable  area  of  public  land.  From  this  date 
to  18.")3,  there  was  a  keen  demand  for  government  lands,  and  the  last 
acre  was  taken  in  this  latter  year.  The  final  location  of  the  Ohio 
&  Mississippi  Railroad  made  the  location  an  especially  desirable  one, 
and  a  large  number  of  actual  settlers  and  speculators  took  advantage 
of  the  opportunity  ortered.  There  has  been  little  change  in  the 
character  of  the  population  since.  It  has  grown  denser,  and  since 
18G0  a  large  portion  of  the  lands  held  by  speculators  has  piissed  into 
the  hands  of  actual  residents,  but  the  main  increase  is  made  up  of 
the  descendants  of  the  early  settlement,  and  few  family  names  famil- 
iar to  the  early  record,  are  lost  entirely  now. 

The  first  families  were  marked  by  an  unusual  amount  of  enter- 
prise and  culture.  There  were  two  good  frame  houses  in  the  county 
as  early  as  1821,  and  brick  houses  followed  with  scarcely  an  interval. 
James  Laws  and  Lot  Basden  united  and  put  up  a  brick-kiln,  and 
each  built  a  one-story  brick  house  from  it.  Laws  erected  his  soon- 
est, but  Basden's  still  remains  a  specimen  of  i)ioneer  luxury.  The 
great  mass  of  the  houses,  however,  were  the  usual  round  log  cabins, 
many  of  them  giving  u[)  the  whole  side  to  the  fire-place.  The  earliest 
stores  were  at  Vincennes,  though  the  settlers  of  Richland  found 
trading  places  at  Lawrencevillc  and  Evansville.  The  latter  point 
was  the  great  trading  point  for  the  early  merchant,  from  whence 
the  goods  were  brought  over  tedious  roads  by  wagon.  The  ejirliest 
store  in  this  county   was  one  opened  by  Jacob  May  at  Stringtown 


612  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTi'. 

about  1825.  Somewhat  later,  Alfred  Gross  and  Willis  Snyder  had 
a  small  store  on  the  "trace  road,"  about  a  mile  west  of  the  villaire  of 
Claremont.  Some  g-oods  were  kei)t  also  at  Pniirieton,  just  over  the 
line  in  Lawrence  County.  These  stores  were  simnlv  lo2r  cabins, 
Avhere  the  owner,  with  a  view  to  makinsf  an  odd  shillins;',  bouofht  a 
few  pieces  of  dry  goods,  a  small  stock  of  groceries  and  whisky,  and 
otiered  them  for  sale.  Their  custom  was  chiefly  derived  from  the 
community  in  which  they  were  situated.  Most  of  the  settlers  had 
no  money  to  buy  with,  and  these  storekeepers  could  profitably  handle 
nothing-  but  coon  skins  in  exchansfe  for  their  wares.  Saint  Louis 
was  the  great  market  for  the  surplas  product  of  this  region,  and 
hundreds  of  teams  were  to  be  seen  on  the  ''trace  road,"  bound  for 
tlie  western  terminus  of  the  road.  These,  with  the  regular  emigrants 
and  travelers,  fm-nished  the  patronage  of  the  taverns  that  were  found 
about  every  ten  miles  alonsf  the  road.  This  aft'orded  also  a  sroodsale 
for  the  surplus  corn  along  the  thoroughfiire.  The  chief  export  of 
this  county  in  the  early  day  was  stock  and  skins.  The  country 
abounded  in  game,  and  wagon  loads  of  venison  hams  were  liiiuled  to 
Saint  Louis  or  Vincennes,  and  disposed  of  at  2.5  cents  apiece.  Deer 
skins,  well  cured,  brought  no  more.  Hogs,  fatted  on  mast,  and  some- 
times fed  a  little  corn,  w^ere  slaughtered  and  sold  at  Vincennes  for 
$1.50  per  hundred.  Live  hogs  were  driven  to  York  and  Darwin,  in 
Clark  County,  or  Vincennes,  and  were  there  slaughtered  for  the  New 
Orleans  market.  Grain  was  not  shipped  much.  The  aggregate 
growth  was  not  large,  and  it  was  found  more  profitable  to  soil  it  to 
new  settlers  and  travelers,  or  feed  it.  The  usual  substitutes  for 
mills  were  found  here  as  elsewhere.  The  first  mill  was  Beadle's  mill, 
on  the  Wabash,  about  three  miles  above  Palmyra.  This  was  too  far 
for  many  to  go,  and  if  this  had  not  been  true  its  capacity  would  not 
have  accommodated  one-third  of  its  patrons.  The  hominy  block 
was  found  at  every  cabin,  while  a  few  had  a  hand  mill  or  a  large  cotlce 
mill,  which  was  pressed  into  the  service.  The  first  mill  Avithin  the 
limits  of  the  county  was  a  "horse  mill,"  established  by  Wm.  Walls 
on  the  edge  of  Sugar  Creek  })rairie,  eight  miles  south  of  Olney. 
This  was  sfcirted  as  early  as  1824.  Ten  years  later,  Jarvis  Dale  started 
another  "  horse  mill"  on  the  "trace  road,"  near  the  "Antioch"  Church, 
east  of  Olney.  This  subsequently  passed  into  the  hands  of  Samuel 
Lowry,  and  then  to  Malono,  who  run  it  on  his  farm  south  of  Olney. 
The  first  water-mill  was  built  on  the  Bonpas  River,  a  little  ])elow 
Kinunel's  mill  in  that  townshii).  A  second  was  built  by  Matthews 
at  Fransonia,  on  the  Fox   Itiver.     The  Ilirman  mill   was  another 


HISTOHY    OF    IMC'IILAND    COUNTY.  <)13 

early  mill,  built  on  the  same  river,  but  further  up  its  course,  near 
the  site  of  old  Waterton.  After  'the  or<ranization  of  the  county, 
the  records  show  frecjuent  juries  to  assess  ad  quod  damnum  the  dams 
of  various  millino-  enterprises  could  be  carried  on.  The  substitutes 
for  the  saw-mills  involved  more  labor,  and  were  generally  unused, 
as  the  comfort  of  the  hardy  pioneer  did  not  demand  them.  Punch- 
eons, shakes  and  clapboards  were  riven  or  hewed  out  of  the  timl)8r. 
A  few,  as  in  the  case  of  Elijah  Nelson  and  Thaddeus  ^Morehouse, 
were  willinsr  to  give  the  neccssar}'  exertion  to  secure  a  fiiieapi)Ciiriug 
as  well  as  comfortable  home.  Tliis  was  accomplished  with  the  whip 
saw.  The  timber  was  s(juared  with  an  ax,  and  dr.iwn  near  a  shallow 
pit  dug  in  the  ground.  The  timber  was  then  placed  upon  forked 
stakes,  which  extended  it  over  the  pit,  and  after  lining  it  on  both 
sides,  the  sawyers  went  to  work.  The  under  sawyer,  with  his  eyes 
protected  from  the  dust  by  a  veil,  took  his  place  in  the  pit,  and  with 
his  companion  on  the  timber  they  plied  the  saw  somewhat  after  the 
laborious  fashion  of  the  modern  "cross-cnit."  In  this  way  two  men 
would  saw  out  some  200  feet  in  a  day,  and  there  were  some  who  did 
not  count  the  superior  elegance  of  their  homes  expensive  even  at  this 
cost  of  labor.  The  fii-st  water  mill  combined  both  saw  and  grist 
machinery,  and  were  both  in  demand. 

i  The  first  cabins  were  all  built  in  the  edge  of  the  timber,  and  it  is 
l)robable  that  Lemuel  Triiitt  was  the  first  to  venture  out  into  the 
open  prairie  near  the  site  of  the  village  of  Noble.     At  first  thought, 
this  clinging  to  the  timber  where  the  labor  of  securing  a  crop  would 
seem  greatly  increased  in  comparison  with  the  open  country,  was  a 
great  mistake  on  the  part  of  the  early  settler,  but  there  are  consider- 
ations Avhich  are  overlooked  in  such  a  view  of  the  matter.     The 
farmers  generally  came  from  a  wooded  country  and  were  not  i)re- 
pared  for  the  i)roblem  presented  by  the  prairie,  while  the  open  coim- 
try  in  this  county  was  generally  rolling,  and  thus  free  from  the 
excessive  moisture  found  in  many  places;  the  sod.  when  dr}'  enough 
to  plow,  presented  a  solid  mass  of  tough  roots  which  defied  the  team 
power  i)ossessed  by  the  pioneers.     Beside  when  it  was  worked  it  was 
found  that   two   or   more  years  were  recpiii-ed  to  tame  it  and  ])ro- 
duce  all  crops.     The  timber  soil  was  found  much  easier  to  cultivate, 
and  one  team  with  a  Gary  plow  did  excellent  service.     It  so  hap- 
l)ened  that  the  smaller  prairies  were  surrounded  by  settlements,  the 
character  of  the  clearings  giving  the  expressive  name  of  Stringtown 
to  the  commimity  and  prairie  in  the  northeastern  corner  ot  the  comity. 
It  was  not  until   about    1840  that  the  prairie  Ix-gan  to  be  invade<l. 


<)14r  IIKSTOUV    OF    lUCHLAND   COUNTY. 

Ftiriiici-s  had  then  secured  a  farm  that  would  support  the  family, 
and  had  provided  themselves  with  teams  and  tocds  for  the  undertak- 
iiiff.  The  plow  used  was  a  heavy  machine  which  every  farmer  man- 
ufactured a  greater  or  less  portion  himself.  The  mold  board  was  so 
arranofed  that  a  laro-e  wooden  mold  ))oard  was  attached,  and  to  this 
fonnidable  eno-ine  of  aofriculture  from  two  to  eio-ht  voke  of  cattle 
were  attached.  The  furrow  was  cut  about  fourteen  inches  wide, 
and  the  unskillful  i)Iowman  occasionally  had  the  misfortune  to  have 
rods  of  this  leathery  sod  turn  back  to  its  original  position.  There 
was  no  other  wav  but  to  turn  it  back  bv  hand,  and  so  tenacious 
was  the  soil  that  it  was  a  laborious  undertaking.  When  once  sub- 
dued  the  prairie  became  the  favorite  resort  for  farming,  though  it 
has  not  l)een  until  recent  yeai-s  that  good  wheat  or  clover  could  be 
grown  here.  The  cultivation  of  the  prairie  was  productive  of  con- 
siderable sickness.     The  decavino-  of  so  much  vegetation  orave  rise 

I/O  O  O 

to  a  miasma,  that  showed  itself  in  the  general  prevalence  of  the 
ague.  It  was  a  common  phrase  to  indicate  an  early  settler  by 
saying  that  became  before  the  ''shakes."  Another  disease  preva- 
lent in  a  new  countrv  had  its  ragfe  here,  and  was  known  as  milk- 
sickness.  Its  characteristics  vary  in  ditierent  localities,  being  most 
prevalent  in  some  conmiunities  during  the  wet  seasons,  and  in  oth- 
ers quite  the  reverse.  Cattle,  and  even  game  are  aftected  by  the 
plague,  the  carcasses  of  animals  dying  with  it  spreading  the  infection. 
The  people  were  supposed  to  contract  the  disease  l)y  the  use  of  the 
milk  from  cows  in  the  early  stages  of  the  trouble.  It  is  not  alto- 
gether unknown  now  in  the  county,  and  is  especially  dreaded,  a.s 
there  seems  to  be  no  etlectual  remedy. 

*TIIK    EAKLY    SOCIAL   CUSTOMS. 

The  ejirly  settlements  were  made  in  the  Avoods  or  on  the  bor- 
ders of  the  i)rairie  "roves.  The  first  dwellinofs  were  the  log  cabins, 
constructed  of  small  trees  from  six  to  ten  inches  in  diameter,  the 
l)uilding  from  twelve  to  eighteen  feet  in  width  and  eighteen  or 
twenty-four  feet  in  length,  the  foundation  being  a  l)lock  of  Avood, 
or  big  stone  if  convenient,  on  which  Avere  laid  the  sills  lengthwise 
of  the  building,  flattened  with  the  chopi)ing  ax;  on  the  upper  side 
of  these  were  laid  the  sleepers,  also  leveled  on  top  to  receive  and 
support  the  punchecm  floor.  The  puncheons  were  si)lit  timber  five 
feet  in  leiiLrth,  a  foot  or  eijrhteen  inches  in  Avidtli  and  two  or  three 
inches  in  thickness,  one  side  hewed  as  smooth  as  })ossible  to  con- 
stitute the  floor.     These   were  laid  as  close  as  possible,  making  a 

♦Written  by  J.  M.  Wilson.  Esq. 


IllSTOUV    OF    IIICIILAM)    COUNTV.  (515 

very  uneven  and  open  Hoor.  The  raisini>-  of  a  cabin  was  a  o-ivat 
event.  For  a  dozen  miles  around  the  squatters  assembled,  selected 
four  experienced  men  to  carry  up  the  cornel's — that  is  to  cut  a  notch 
in  the  end  of  the  log"  to  put  on  the  slopinir  saddle  cut  on  the  lo"- 
beneath  it.  There  was  always  a  jui>-  of  whislvv  on  hand  to  cheer  the 
laborers.  At  al)out  six  and  one-half  feet  above  the  puncheon  floor 
joists  were  inserted,  beinir  simply  counterparts  of  the  sh^epers,  but 
of  liirhter  timl)er.  From  the  joists  the  end  log's  Avere  shortened  at 
each  end  to  form  the  roof,  the  poles  or  ribs  supportinir  the  roof 
bt^ing  al)out  two  feet  apart.  The  roof  was  composed  of  claijboards 
made  of  a  large  three  or  four  feet  in  diameter  white  or  black  oak 
tree.  The  boards  were  made  by  sawing  the  log  into  four  foot  lengths 
then  splitting  into  blocks  and  riving  them  into  clap1)oards  six  or 
seven  inches  wide  and  one-half  or  three-fourths  inch  thick.  The 
top  log  of  each  end  of  the  ])uilding  projected  eighteen  inches  on  each 
side  to  support  the  butting  pole — a  piece  of  hewed  timber  ao^inst 
which  the  first  course  of  l)oards  placed  on  the  ribs  butted  or  rested 
to  prevent  their  slipping  otf.  The  boards  were  laid  close  tog-ether 
on  the  ribs,  and  the  joints  broken  by  another  board,  makino-  a 
double  roof.  After  the  first  course  was  laid,  a  weight  jiolc  was  used 
to  koe\)  the  boards  in  proper  place,  sustained  in  its  place  by  a  i)iece 
of  timber  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  boards  at  each  end,  this 
weight  pole  serving  as  a  butting  pole  to  the  next  course  of  boards. 
The  chimney  was  made  by  cutting  out  of  the  middle  of  one  end  of 
the  house  a  part  of  the  end  logs,  about  six  feet  in  length  and  four  or 
five  feet  in  height,  and  building  a  projection  about  four  feet  in 
depth,  notched  into  the  sawed  ends  of  the  Iniikling  logs.  The  sides 
and  ends  of  the  chimney  were  built  up  with  clay  or  stone  a  foot  in 
thickness.  This  was  the  fireplace.  The  chimney  was  built  of  cat 
and  clay,  or  split  timber,  filled  in  between  and  covered  inside  and 
out  with  clay  mortar,  tapering  from  the  fireplace  uj^ward  until 
it  WAS  reduced  to  a  diameter  of  about  eighteen  inches,  Avhen  it  was 
run  straight  up  until  about  two  feet  above  the  roof,  and  beino-  built 
straight  on  the  outer  side  it  left  a  space  of  two  feet  between  the  roof 
and  the  chimney  as  a  safeguard  from  fire.  Clapboards  were  laid  on 
the  joists  to  form  the  loft  floor,  reached  by  a  ladder.  Chn)boards 
formed  the  door;  they  were  pinned  to  long  wooden  hinges  and  huno- 
on  wooden  supports,  and  this  door  was  the  only  opening  inlet  or 
outlet  to  the  building.  There  were  no  windows;  all  the  light  came 
doAvn  the  wide  chinuieys  or  through  the  door,  which  was  generally 
open  winter  or  summer.     A  big-  fire  of  log-s   kept  one  from  freezing- 


(510  HISTORY    or    KICHLANI)    COUNTY. 

in  the  winter.  The  interstices  between  the  loirs  of  the  buihlinii-  were 
tilled  with  pieces  of  split  timber  and  cltiy  mortar.  The  furniture 
consisted  generally  of  a  bedstead  for  the  heads  of  the  family,  made 
by  two  pieces  of  asai)liug  sharpened  at  one  end  and  driven  in  between 
the  lo^s  of  the  wall,  the  other  end  supported  l)y  forks  driven  into 
the  oTound  between  the  puncheons.  On  this  frame  were  laid  clap- 
boards, covered  with  deer  or  bear  skins,  on  which  was  placed  the 
beddino*.  Wooden  stools  and  benches  were  used  to  sit  on,  and  the 
table  was  fashioned  like  the  bed.  At  night  the  young  folk  spread 
skins  on  the  floor  before  the  fire  and  placed  their  l)edding  on  them. 
Such  an  house  would  be  put  up  in  one  day  In'  a  dozen  men,  and  the 
familv  tidve  possession  the  next.  The  cooking  utensils  were  gener- 
ally an  iron  oven  or  a  skillet  with  a  long  handle  and  a  coffee-pot. 
Corn  meal  pounded  in  a  wooden  mortar  made  the  bread.  Venison, 
bear  meat,  pork  and  turkeys  constituted  the  eatables.  To  get  a 
meal,  first  some  corn  meal  was  browned  or  scorched  in  the  skillet  to 
make  the  cotfee.  Then  the  meal  was  mixed  into  dough  in  a  wooden 
tray  and  placed  into  the  oven  or  skillet,  on  which  an  iron  lid  was  put 
and  covered  with  coals.  In  half  an  hour  the  corn  pone  or  dodgers 
were  cooked,  taken  out  and  set  before  the  fire,  and  the  pork  or  veni- 
son cooked  in  the  skillet.  This,  when  cooked,  with  generally  a  plen- 
tiful supply  of  milk,  and  often  wild  honey,  constituted  the  eatables; 
and  in  one  of  those  cabins  a  family  of  half  a  dozen  children  or  more 
and  their  parents  lived  and  slept,  with  room  besides  for  sometimes 
two  or  three  strangers,  always  welcome. 

The  settlements  were  made  in  the  timber  for  several  reiisons. 
Backwoodsmen  seldom  had  more  than  one  horse.  He  neither  had 
team  nor  plows  qualified  to  break  the  thick  i)rairie  sod.  By  cutting 
and  grul)bing  out  the  brush  and  deadening  the  bigger  timber  he 
could,  in  a  short  time,  prepare  four  or  five  acres  for  corn.  An  iron 
shear  or  point,  with  a  wooden  mold  board,  with  one  horse,  would 
enable  him  to  so  scratch  the  surface  of  the  earth  as  to  produce 
plenty  of  corn  for  bread;  whilst  the  hogs  fattened  and  wintered  on 
the  a])undant  mast,  i.  e.,  acorns,  hickory  nuts,  etc.,  whilst  the  corn 
fodder  kept  his  horse  and  two  or  tlu^  cows  with  the  grazing  in  the 
woods.  When  a  winter  was  unusually  hard  he  could  cut  down  in  the 
early  spring  majilc  and  other  trees  for  browse.  The  man's  work 
was  comparatively  easy.  His  corn  patch  did  not  rc(]uire  more  than 
three  months'  attention.  He  raised  but  few  or  no  vegetables;  hunt- 
ing was  his  principal  vocation  and  amusement.  Deer  and  turkeys 
by  hundreds  filled  the  woods;  deer  hams  and  skins  and  coon  skins 


IHSTOHV    OF    inCIILAXI)    COUNTY.  (>!  7 

lornied  his  source  of  income  to  buy  his  ammunition  and,  when  to  be 
hud,  the  indispensable  coffee.  The  susfar  maple  furnished  sugar  and 
molasses,  and  the  spice  brush  and  sassafras  the  tea.  Dressed  buck- 
skin made  him  crackers  and  hunting  shirt,  a  substitute  for  pantaloons 
and  coat,  whilst  his  cap  or  hat  was  made  of  coon  skin;  this,  with  a 
cotton  shirt  raised,  picked,  spun  and  wove  by  his  wife  and  daughtei-s, 
clothed  him.  After  the  little  farmimj-  was  done  and  the  corn  crop 
laid  bv,  the  horse  was  used  to  bring  in  the  game  and  carry  his  owner 
to  log  rollings,  house  raisings  and  to  the  county-seat  wdiere  whisky 
drinking  (plenty  at  twenty-five  cents  a  gallon;  every  store  kept  it), 
carousing  and  fiuhting,  were  his  amusements. 

The  women  led  hard  lives.  Their  clothing  was  made  of  the 
cotton  raised  on  their  little  clearing.  At  night,  after  gathering,  it 
was  spread  before  the  fire,  heated,  and  the  seed  picked  out  by  hand, 
then  carded  in  a  pair  of  cards,  spun  on  a  big  wheel,  colored  with 
copperas,  or  indigo,  or  walnut  bark,  and  woven  on  an  home-made 
loom,  and  cut  and  made  up  l)y  her  into  clothing  for  herself  and  chil- 
dren. She  did  all  the  cooking  and  washing,  and  for  weeks,  and  often 
months,  would  see  the  face  of  no  living  soul  except  the  members  of 
her  own  family.  A  log  rolling  or  quilting  lirought  the  boys  and 
girls  together,  where,  after  the  logs  were  all  piled  up  and  the  quilt 
finished,  supper  over  and  the  floor  cleared,  the  young  folk  would 
dance  or  play  at  different  games.  Fifty  years  ago  common  calico, 
coarse  prints,  sold  for  thirty  and  forty  cents  a  yard;  six  yards  of 
three-fourths  wide  made  a  dress,  and  the  owner  was  as  proud  of  it  as 
a  fashionable  lady  now  is  of  her  silks  and  satins.  The  every-day 
garb  of  females  Avas  striped  cotton;  feet  shod  in  buckskin  mocca- 
sins. And  yet  it  was  a  joyous  life;  no  jealousies,  no  striving  for 
wealth,  generous  and  liberal.  The  traveler  was  always  Avelcome, 
and  no  one  thought  of  charginof  for  food  or  lodging.  I<rnorant 
and  coarse  as  many  were,  there  was  less  licentiousness  than  now. 
Preaching  was  rare;  now  and  then,  about  once  in  two  months,  au 
itinerant  would  preach,  when  all  the  settlement  would  assemble.  A 
baptizing  was  a  great  event;  for  twenty  miles  the  people  assembled, 
when  the  old  preacher,  clad  in  homespun  and  leather,  with  panta- 
loons rolled  above  his  knees  and  a  long  stick  in  hand,  waded  and  felt 
about  in  the  pond  or  creek  until  he  found  sufficient  depth  of  water 
to  immerse  the  neophyte,  or  generally  two  or  three  of  them. 
These  old  preachers  of  the  Baptist  persuasion  were  generally  tarmers, 
and  received  no  pay  or  compensation  for  their  services.  Frequently 
illiterate,  thev  were  earnest  and  sincere. 


o 


618  iiTSTOHV  or  lurnLANT)  rorxTV 


rOLITICAL  ORGANIZATION. 


T 


*I1E  formation  of  the  county,  as  noted  elsewhere,  was  accom- 
|)lishetl  without  much  efl'ort,  the  interests  of  the  three  counties 
conspiring  to  aid  in  the  division.  This  l)einof  fixed,  tlie  or<ranizino:  act 
of  the  Legislature  provided  th:it  on  the  third  Monday  in  June,  just 
two  weeks  later,  the  people  should  meet  at  their  various  polling 
places  and  vote  for  a  site  for  the  county-seat.  On  this  subject  there 
was  a  wide  diversity  of  opinion,  and  the  two  weeks  intervening  be- 
tween the  elections  were  spent  by  a  considerable  number  of  the  citi- 
zens of  the  new  county  in  electioneering  for  the  various  sites  proposed. 
Matthews'  Mill,  or  Fransonia,  was  proposed  by  T.  J.  Decker,  an  influ- 
ential citizen  and  first  collector  of  the  county.  Fairview  was  pre- 
sented by  James  Ruark;  the  old  village  of  Watertown,  by  Amos  Bnl- 
lard;  Olney,  just  west  of  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  that  name, 
by  Judge  Aaron  Shaw,  and  a  site  by  Benjamin  Bogart,  just  east  of 
the  present  county-seat.  Tlie  places  thus  offered  in  competition  had 
little  to  offer  save  a  fair  plat  of  ground,  and  the  influence  of  the 
friends  of  the  situation.  It  was  not  long  before  the  general  senti- 
ment found  expression  in  favor  of  a  central  locality,  and  Fairview 
and  Fransonia  never  stood  equal  with  the  others  in  the  race.  In 
pushing  the  interests  of  his  site  on  the  east  side  of  the  Fox  River, 
Judge  Shaw  was  indefatigable.  He  had  large  posters  printed,  the 
town  named  Olney,  and  the  advantages  of  the  location  concisely 
placed  before  the  public.  Watertown,  while  making  less  of  a  figure 
in  the  canvass,  was  really  the  strongest  candidate  for  the  coveted 
honor.  It  had  been  platted  early,  and  lots  disposed  of  to  various  indi- 
viduals all  over  the  county.  In  this  contest,  every  lot  owner  was  an 
active  partisan  for  the  selection  of  this  village,  and  in  the  end  only 
tell  short  of  victory  by  a  narrow  vote.  All  this  became  apparent  to 
many  citizens  before  the  vote  occurred,  and  considerable  effort  was 
put  forth  to  avert  the  location  of  the  county-seat  so  tar  to  the  west 
of  the  center,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river  where  it  was  thought 
the  village  might  prove  unhcalthful.  Bogart,  in  the  meanwhile, 
desiring  to  limit  the  number  of  places  to  be  voted  on,  lest  by  some 
accident  one  of  the  more  remote  points  should  be  select<>d,  agreed  to 
submit  the  advantages  of  his  site,  with  those  of  Olnej^  and  Water- 
town,  and  withdraw,  if  a  committee  of  three  should  so  decide.  After 
an  examination,  a  majority  of  the  committee  selected,  decided  against 


l-J:r 


J^  O^Ay>^      <^U^z^7l^^^^ 


lIISTOia     or    ItK'llLAM)    col  NTV.  619 

Bogart's  place,  and  the  latter  was  withdrawn,  though  much  to  the 
dissatisfaction  ofa  large  number  of  the  voters,  and  it  was  freely  hinted 
that  it  was  not  an  unbiased  judgment.  Determined  not  to  be  thwarted 
in  that  way,  certain  of  the  people  of  the  county  approached  AVilliam 
Elliott  to  ort'cr  a  site,  and  to  Barney  and  Lilly.  The  latter  })ersons 
made  up  their  minds  very  soon,  and  thirteen  acres  Avere  oli'ered  as  a 
donation  to  the  county  in  case  the  seat  of  justice  was  placed  here — 
the  present  site  of  OIney.  Just  before  the  day  of  election,  Judge 
Shaw,  observing  that  the  real  contest  was  between  Watertown  and 
the  Barney-Lilly  donation,  withdrew  his  site,  and  these  two,  with 
Fairview  and  Fransonia,  entered  the  final  contest.  There  were  but 
three  polling  places  for  this  election,  the  west  precinct  voting  at  John 
Jefford's,  near  Watertown,  the  south  precinct  at  Fairview,  and  the 
north  precinct  at  lirinkly's,  in  the  i)rcsent  township  of  Claremont. 
It  was  decided  very  early  in  the  day,  that  Fairview  and  Fransonia 
Avere  out  of  the  race,  and  a  good  deal  of  interest  was  manifested  by 
certii  n  of  the  citizens.  ]\Iessengers  were  sent  on  fleet  horses  to  ascertain 
the  vote  of  the  various  polling  jilaces,  and  in  the  afternoon  it  was  dis- 
covered that  Watertown  Avas  develo[)ing  unexpected  strength.  John 
Wolf  was  one  of  the  active  ones  in  this  election,  and  riding  to  Fair- 
view^  he  explained  the  situation,  and  secured  the  votes  of  the  clerks 
and  judges  for  the  Barney-Lilly  donation.  This,  with  other  votes 
secured  at  the  last  moment,  defeated  AYatertoAvn  by  barely  nineteen 
votes.  The  next  important  question  to  decide,  Avas  the  name  of  the 
new  county -seat.  ^Messrs.  Samuel  II.  Lo  wry,  James  LaAvs,  and  Joshua 
L.  Johnston,  the  temporary  County  Commissioners  aj^pointed  by  the 
organizing  act,  Avere  confused  b}'  the  number  of  names  presented  and 
pushed  for  recognition.  The  decision  finally  lay  betAveen  Farmiu"-- 
ton  and  Olney,  the  name  adopted  by  Judge  ShaAV  for  his  site.  The 
Commissioners,  unAvilling  to  decide,  left  it  to  the  croAvd  that  had 
assembled,  and  Olney  Avas  fixed  upon,  and  became  the  name  of  the 
ncAV  county-seat. 

Minor  Divifiionsi. — Until  the  folloAving  regular  August  election, 
the  aflairs  of  the  county  remained  in  Matu  quo,  the  temporary  Board 
of  Commissioners  having  authority  only  in  canvassing  and  providino- 
for  the  vote  on  the  county-seat  and  the  election  of  county  oflicers. 
In  August,  however,  the  folloAving  list  of  county  officers  was  chosen: 
County  Commissioners,  Lot  Jiasden,  Amos  P>ullard,  and  Hugh  Cal- 
houn, Jr.;  Recorder,  M.  B.  Snyder,  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace,  R. 
B.  Marney;  Treasurer,  ^Y.  H.  Reed;  A.  F.  David,  Surveyor,  and  J. 
F.  Reed,  School  Commissioner.     The  first  records  appear  as  foUoAvs: 

38 


G20  HISTORY  OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

"At  a  County  Commissioners'  Court,  begun  and  held  at  the  house  of 
Benjamin  Bogard,  county  of  Richland,  and  State  of  Illinois,  on  Mon- 
day, the  23d  of  August,  A.  D.,  1841,  were  present  Lot  Basden,  Amos 
Bullanl,  and  Hugh  Calhoun,  Jr., Esquires,  County  Commissioners, who 
after  having  been  duly  (jualified,  proceeded  to  business.  Ordered,  there 
beiuifno  Sheriif,  that  Lewis  Sawyer,  a  Constable  of  said  county,  act 
as  Sheriff  to  this  court.  Ordered,  that  Morris  B.  Snj'der  be  appointed 
Clevkpro  tern  to  this  court.  It  being  determined  by  lot.  Lot  Basden 
is  to  serve  three  years,  Amos  Bullard,  two  years,  and  Hugh  Calhoun, 
Jr.,  one  year,  as  County  Commissioner.  Morris  B.  Sn^'der,  who  had 
been  elected  Clerk  (probably  Recorder)  of  this  court,  now  here  pre- 
sented his  bond  for  the  acceptance  of  the  court,  which  was  ordered 
to  be  received  and  spread  upon  the  records  of  this  court,  and  in  open 
court  he  was  qualified  as  the  law  directs,  etc.  (Here  follows  his 
bond  in  the  sum  of  $100,  with  S.  R.  Lowry  and  John  Snyder,  Jr.,  as 
securities).  Ordered,  that  the  lots  in  the  town  of  Olney,  Richland 
County,  be  sold  on  the  2()th  of  September  next,  and  that  the  Clerk 
give  notice  that  the  said  lots  on  that  day  will  be  offered  for  sale,  and 
sold  on  the  following  terms,  to  wit:  purchasers  will  be  required  to 
give  bonds  with  approved  security,  payable,  one-third  in  six  months, 
one-third  in  twelve  months,  and  one-third  in  eighteen  months. 
Adjourned  to  court  in  course. 

"  September  term, 1841.  At  a  County  Commissioners'  Court  began 
and  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Bogard,  in  Richland  County,  on 
Monday,  the  fJth  day  of  September,  A.  D.,  1841,  when  present  Lot 
Basden  and  Hugh  Calhoun,  Jr.,  Esquires,  County  Commissioners. 
Ordered,  that  Lewis  Sawyer  act  as  Sheriff  to  this  court.  Ordered, 
that  the  county  of  Richland  be  laid  off  into  Justices  Precincts  as  fol- 
lows, to  wit:  First,  to  begin  at  Fox  River,  two  miles  north  of  town 
line  between  Townships  3  and  4,  thence  north  to  Fox  River;  thence 
with  Fox  River  north  to  the  county  line;  thence  east  with  said 
county  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county;  thence  south 
with  said  county  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  24,  Town- 
ship 4  north,  of  Range  14  west;  thence  Avest  with  said  section  line 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  to  be  called  Troy  Precinct.  Second,  to 
begin  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  25,  Township  4  north,  of 
Range  14  west,  thence  running  south  with  the  county  line  to  the 
southeast  corner  of  said  section;  thence  due  west  with  said  section 
line  to  Fox  River;  thence  up  Fox  River  to  the  southwest  corner  of 
Troy  Precinct,  to  be  called  Olney  Precinct.  Third,  beginning  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Section   25,  in  Township  3  north,  of  Range 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  621 

14  west,  thence  with  the  county  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
county;  thence  with  the  county  line  to  Fox  liiver;  thence  up  said 
river  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Oluey  Precinct,  to  be  called  Parker 
Precinct.  Fourth,  to  bei^in  at  Watertown,  on  Fox  River,  thence 
west  with  the  State  road  to  the  county  line;  thence  north  with  the 
county  lino  to  the  northwest  corner  thereof;  thence  east  to  Fox 
River;  thence  with  Fox  River  to  the  place  of  beginning,  to  be  called 
North  Precinct.  Fifth,  beginning  at  Fox  River  on  the  State  road, 
thence  west  with  the  State  road  to  the  county  line;  thence  south 
with  the  county  line  to  the  southwest  corner  thereof  ;  thence  east 
with  said  county  line  to  the  Fox  River;  thence  north  up  Fox  River 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  to  be  called  South  Precinct.  Ordered, 
that  the  above  precincts  be  general  election  precincts.  Ordered,  that 
all  elections  for  Troy  Precinct  be  held  at  the  house  of  John  Allen; 
for  Olney  Precinct,  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Bogard;  for  Parker's 
Precinct,  at  Fairview;  for  North  Precinct,  at  the  house  of  Wrio-ht 
Mash;  for  Sonth  Precinct,  at  the  house  of  William  Holbrook. 
Ordered,  that  the  judges  of  election  shall  be  for  North  Precinct, 
James  Nelson,  James  Coghill  and  Arvin  Webster.  For  South  Pre- 
cinct, James  Elliott,  J.  R.  Lewis  and  Henry  Taylor.  For  Troy 
Precinct,  John  Allen,  John  Lamb  and  Mclntyre  Ryan.  For  Olney 
Precinct,  Joseph  Bunch,  William  Tarbox  and  William  Elliott.  For 
Parker  Precinct,  George  Higgins,  J.  H.  Reed  and  George  Mason. 
Ordered,  that  the  following  trustees  of  school  lands  be  appointed: 
For  Township  4  north.  Range  9  east,  xVrvin  Webster,  James  Coo-- 
hill  and  John  Graham.  For  Township  4  north,  Range  14  west, 
Thomas  Utterback,  John  Allen  and  Charles  Stuterville.  For  Town- 
ship 4  north,  Range  10  east,  Richard  Phillips,  Joseph  Bunch  and 
George  McWilliams.  For  ToAvnship  3  north.  Range  14  west,  J.  H. 
Reed,  Canada  Clubb  and  Stephen  Gardner.  For  Townshij)  3  north, 
Range  10  east,  J.  L.  Johnson,  John  Nelson  and  Erastus  Ruark. 
For  Township  2  north,  Range  10  east,  Elcana  Richards,  John 
Walker  and  James  Parker,  Jr.  For  Township  2  nortli,  Rmo-e  14 
west,  William  Higgins,  Thomas  Spencer  and  Daniel  David.  For 
Township  3  north.  Range  11  east,  Henry  Calhoun,  James  Thrapp,  Sr., 
and  William  Perry.  Ordered,  that  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  in  the 
various  precincts  shall  be  as  follows:  Troy  Precinct,  John  Cot^ 
terell;  Oluey  Precinct,  Bryant  Bullard;  Parker  Precinct,  James 
Parker;  North  Precinct,  James  Nelson;  South  Precinct,  Joseph 
Gardner,  Sr.  Ordered,  that  a  scrawl  be  adopted  as  the  seal  of  this 
court.     Ordered,  that  the  town  of  Olney  be  laid  oft"  into  lots,  accord- 


622  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

ng  to  the  plat  of  Lot  Basdcn.  [The  first  money  order  was  made 
ill  this  term  in  favor  of  the  judges  and  clerks  of  the  previous  election. 
Then  followed  the  selection  of  grand  and  petit  jurors  and  provision 
for  the  first  jail,  and  besides  the  location  of  a  road  and  the  o-rantinsr 
of  a  few  licenses,  this  covers  the  business  of  the  first  year  of  the 
County  Commissioners'  Court  of  the  new  county.] 

The  precincts  of  Richland  County  have  been  subject  to  com- 
paratively few  changes.  In  March,  1844,  the  original  precinct  of 
Olney  was  extended  to  a  north  and  south  line,  three  miles  west  of 
Fox  River,  beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  17,  thence 
west  with  said  line  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  13;  thence 
north  six  miles;  thence  east  to  the  Fox  River.  In  December,  1852, 
Claremont  Precinct  was  formed  with  the  following  boundaries: 
Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  30,  Township  4  north, 
of  Range  14  west,  thence  east  to  the  county  line  between  Richland 
and  Lawrence  counties;  thence  south  six  miles;  thence  west  six 
miles  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  19,  Townshi})  3  north, 
Rtmge  14  west;  thence  north  to  the  place  of  beginning.  In  June  of 
the  following  year,  a  mile  otf  the  west  side  of  this  precinct  Avas 
added  to  Olney,  and  in  September  a  mile  Avas  added  otf  the  south 
side  of  Troy  Precinct.  In  September,  1853,  on  petition  of  Lemuel 
Truitt,  Noble  Precinct  was  formed,  besfinninor  on  the  section  line  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  Section  30,  Township  4  north.  Range  9  east, 
thence  on  said  line  east  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  2(j,  Town- 
ship 4  north.  Range  9  east;  thence  south  to  the  southeast  corner  of 
Section  14,  Township  3  north,  Range  9  east;  thence  west  to  the 
county  line;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  place  of  beginning. 
There  were  thus  seven  precincts  when  Jacob  May  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  other  citizens  of  the  comity  petitioned  that  the  matter  of 
township  organization  be  submitted  to  the  people.  The  matter  came 
up  at  the  election  of  November,  1858,  and  Avas  adopted  by  a  vote  of 
838  to  376,  out  of  a  total  of  1,280  votes.  According  to  the  provis- 
ions of  the  general  law,  Messrs.  John  M.  Wilson,  O.  P.  Heisland 
and  Sylvester  Utterlmck  were  appointed  commissioners  to  divide  the 
county  i)ito  toAvnships.  The  county  embraces  about  ten  sections  in 
Range  8  east,  and  the  entire  Rmges  9,  10  and  11  east,  the  latter  con- 
sisting of  l)ut  a  single  fractional  section  in  Avidth,  and  Range  14 
west.  Of  these  ranges,  Townships  3  and  4  are  found  entire,  Avith 
five  tiers  of  sections  in  ToAvnship  2,  and  tAVO  tiers  of  sections  in 
ToAvnship  5.  Township  2,  in  Ranges  8  and  9  east,  has  but  three 
tiers  of  sections.     The  Avidth  of  the  county  coA^ers  nineteen  sections. 


IIISTUUV    OF    niCIILANI)    COUNTY.  (523 

and  in  the  division  into  townships  the  committee,  with  the  design  of 
making  the  outlines  of  each  township  as  refruhir  as  possible,  ran 
north  and  south  lines  on  the  line  between  Rtmges  1)  and  10  east,  and 
between  Ranoes  11  east  an<l  14  west.  Of  the  east  and  west  lines, 
the  upper  one  goes  due  west  through  the  count}^  six  miles  from  the 
northern  boundary.  The  second  one  forms  the  southern  boundary 
of  Olncy  and  Claremont  townships,  seven  miles  south  of  the  upper 
line.  The  division  line  between  Noble  and  Decker  townships  was 
^  placed  a  mile  further  north.  The  county  was  thus  divided  into  nine 
townships,  and  were  first  named  as  the  precincts  had  been,  beginning 
in  the  northwest  corner  and  proceeding  from  north  to  south,  as  fol- 
lows: Boone,  Xoble,  Jackson,  Douglas,  Olney,  Madison,  Troy,  Clare- 
mont and  Bon  pas.  Parker  Precinct  had  been  changed  in  1848  to 
Fairview,  and  South  or  Brown's  Precinct  to  Southwest,  and  North 
to  Northwest  Precinct.  Under  the  new  nomenclature,  Parker 
appears  as  ^Madison,  the  South  as  Jackson,  and  the  North  as  Boone, 
while  Douglas  and  Bonpas  were  new.  This  list  was  further  modi- 
fied by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  by  changing  the  name  of  Boone 
to  Denver,  Jackson  to  Decker,  Douglas  to  Preston,  and  Troy  to 
German,  which  leaves  the  townships  as  they  are  now  found.  In 
1878,there  was  manifested  a  strong  dissatisfaction  with  the  way  county 
aflairs  had  been  managed,  and  on  petition  the  question  of  returning 
to  the  old  form  of  organization  was  submitted  to  the  people,  and 
township  organization  was  annulled.  The  County  Commissioners 
elected,  divided  the  county  into  six  assessment  districts,  but  left  the 
voting  precincts  unchanged  save  the  Olney  was  divided  into  two, 
East  and  West  precincts.  In  1880,  however,  a  return  to  township 
organization  was  made,  and  the  old  arrangement  was  maintained. 

Denver  Township  contains  just  the  area  of  a  Congressional 
township,  thirty-six  sections,  but  made  up  from  Townships  4  and  5, 
in  R.inge  U  east.  This  township  forms  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
county,  and  was  originally  princi|)ally  i)rairie  land,  with  some  open 
timber  skirting  Sugar  and  Harrison  creeks.  Since  prairie  fires  have 
ceased  to  run,  the  young  growth  has  rapidly  sprung  up,  and  this 
township  is  now  well  wooded.  Onion  Hill,  in  this  township,  is  the 
highest  point  in  the  county,  and  a  land-mark  for  some  distance  about. 
The  upper  end  of  Fox  Prairie  and  Ten  Mile  Prairie  are  the  names  of 
the  open  lands,  the  latter  bein«-  lari>-ely  settled  bv  Germans.  The 
settlement  of  this  region  was  not  early,  Harrison  Graham,  m  1842, 
being  about  the  first  in  the  township.  During  the  succeeding  ten 
years  others  gathered  in,  among  whom  were  Jesse  Toliver,  Peter 


624  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

Wachtel,  Joseph  Spencer,  Wesley  Nelson  and  William  McCarty. 
It  is  a  good  agricultural  section,  and  is  not  subject  to  overflow,  the 
streams  being  very  small.  Wakefield,  in  the  northwest  corner,  and 
Wilsonbursf,  close  to  the  southern  border,  are  small  hamlets. 

Noble  Township,  next  south  of  Denver,  in  the  western  tier  of 
townships,  contains  about  forty-two  sections,  six  of  which  are  in 
Township  3,  Range  8.  The  surface  of  the  township  was  originally 
high,  rolling  prairie,  with  timbered  bottoms  along  the  Fox  and  Big 
Muddy  rivers.  The  Evans  family  were  the  earliest  settlers,  who 
came  here  in  1818.  L.  L.  AUender,  who  had  a  ferry  across  the  Muddy 
on  the  old  "trace  road,"  was  an  early  settler,  and  Gilmore,  the  Sheriff 
of  Clay  County  in  1841,  was  another.  Lemuel  Truitt,  James 
Branghton,  Alvin  Webster,  William  Elliott  and  Owen  Coats  were 
among  the  early  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  township.  Wheat 
and  corn,  upon  the  prairie  and  bottom  lands  respectively,  are  sure 
and  profitable  crops.  Noble  village  is  the  second  village  in  the 
county.  Glenwood  is  the  name  of  a  village  that  once  caused  some 
excitement,  but  was  never  more  than  a  paper  town. 

Decker  Township  forms  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county, 
and  is  composed  of  some  thirty-five  sections.  Five  sections  are  in 
Township  2,  Range  8,  and  form  the  irregular  western  boundary  along 
the  Little  Wabash  and  Big  Muddy.  The  Fox  Prairie  covers  about 
ten  sections  in  the  central  part  of  the  township,  the  rest  of  which 
is  covered  with  heavy  timber.  The  bottom  lands  are  extensive  and 
subject  to  overflow,  some  of  them  being  comparatively  worthless. 
Among  the  earliest  settlers  were  Eli  Craft,  David  Bates,  Taylor, 
George  Poft*,  Hughs,  Jordan,  and  Thomas  J.  Decker,  after  whom 
the  township  was  named.  The  latter  was  the  first  Collector  of 
taxes,  and  an  influential  citizen.  An  early  grist  mill  was  built  near 
Fransonia  by  John  Matthews,  and  gave  name  to  an  early  polling 
place,  and  a  competitor  for  the  location  of  the  seat  of  justice  for  the 
coimty.  Jeremiah  Lewis,  a  local  preacher,  introduced  the  experi- 
ment of  silk  raising  in  this  township,  but  the  worms  did  not  thrive, 
and  the  ett'ort  finally  failed.  Fransonia  is  a  hamlet  on  the  Fox 
River,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township. 

Preston  ToNvnship  embraces  the  area  of  a  Congressional  town- 
ship in  Range  10  east  and  six  sections  of  R:inge  11  east.  It  is  six  miles 
north  and  south  by  nearly  seven  miles  east  and  west.  It  is  bounded 
by  Denver  on  the  west,  by  Jasper  County  on  the  north,  German  on 
the  east  and  Olney  on  the  south.  Fox  River  flows  southward  through 
the  central  part,  and  the  timber  skirting  its  banks  and  those  of  its 


HISTORY    OF    KICIILAXD    COUNTY.  ()25 

tributaries,  covers  tlio  larger  part  of  the  township.  The  Grand 
Prairie  extends  into  the  township  on  tlie  eastern  side,  and  has  an 
area  here  of  some  fifteen  scpuire  miles.  It  is  a  well  improved  and 
well-to-do  farming  region,  and  produces  the  usual  cereals  equal  to 
any  other  township.  Among  the  early  families  were  those  of  James 
Quales,  Wheeler,  John  Underhill,  George  Mc Williams,  Henry  8 wal- 
len  and  John  Phillips.  These  families  were  principally  from  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee.  In  1838,  a  considerable  emigration  from  Ohio 
settled  here,  and  occupy  the  eiistern  side.  Dundas  is  the  name  of 
the  railroad  station  and  post-office  in  the  northern  central  part. 

Olney  is  located  in  the  center  of  the  county  and  has  the  largest 
area  of  any  township  in  the  county.  Fox  River  runs  from  north  to 
south  along  the  western  part,  while  its  branches  cross  the  township 
from  the  eastern  side.  The  timber  which  skirts  these  streams  divides 
the  surface  of  this  part  of  the  county  into  little  prairies  of  a  few  miles 
square.  The  country  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  all  im- 
provements are  in  an  advanced  state.  The  interest  of  the  township, 
however,  centers  in  the  city,  which  occupies  a  position  a  little  north 
of  the  center.  Among  the  earliest  settlers  were  Morehouse,  Bogard, 
Elliott,  Nelson,  and  others  already  mentioned  elsewhere. 

]Madison  Township  occupies  a  place  in  the  central  tier  of  town- 
ships, south  of  01ne3^  The  central  part  of  this  precinct  was  occu- 
pied by  the  Sugar  Creek  Prairie,  some  twenty  square  miles  in  extent, 
while  the  rest  is  covered  with  the  timbered  bottoms  of  Fox  River 
and  Sugar  Creek.  Gaorge  Ward  and  William  Richards  were  early 
settlers.  James  Parker,  Sr.,  a  comrade  of  Daniel  Boone,  and  an  old 
Indian  fighter,  was  also  one  of  the  early  settlers.  Among  others 
were  William  Nash,  Daniel  Williams,  John  Rogers,  Matthew  Duck- 
ery,  James  Sharp,  James  Enson,  Curtis  Rose,  Abraham  Morrell, 
Thomas  Mason,  Lloyd  Rawlings,  John  Wolf,  and  others.  Shadrack 
Ruark  first  projected  the  village  of  Fairview.  He  was  the  pioneer 
of  Ohio  emigration  to  this  county,  and  a  man  of  considerable  influ- 
ence. Parkcrsburg  is  a  small  village  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
the  township,  and  Fairview  is  another  on  the  northeastern  corner. 

German  Township  forms  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county, 
and  eml)races  an  area  of  thirty-six  square  miles.  Gi-and  Prairie  ex- 
tends into  the  western  side,  and  Stringtown  Prairie  into  the  eastern 
side  of  the  township.  The  central  part  of  the  township  is  high  and 
was  originally  covered  with  timl)er,  but  much  of  this  has  been 
cleared  off  and  replaced  by  good  farms.  Among  the  first  settlers 
were  Samuel  Butler,  John  Cotterell,  J.  H.  Jones,  Thomas  Utterback, 


626  IIISTOKV    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Josopli  TajiuCj  William  Cnibtrce,  and  John  May.  The  latter  was 
a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812.  John  Bush  and  J.  L.  Allen  were  a 
little  later  in  the  settlement.  About  1S4(),  the  German  emigration 
from  Stark  Count}^,  Ohio,  began  to  fill  up  this  township.  Among 
this  inflow  of  poi)ulation  were  the  families  Clepper,  Hans,  Spitz, 
Snider,  Stirehi,  Jaggis  and  Eyer.  This  nationality  has  increased 
mitil  it  is  the  largely  predominating  element  there  and  gave  name 
to  the  township.  This  township  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  agri- 
ricnltural  townships  in  the  county. 

Claremont  is  next  south  in  the  eastern  tier  of  townshii)s.  It  is 
one  of  the  later  precincts  formed,  but  Avas  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tled. William  Laws,  Willis  Hlauchard,  Bryant  liullard,  Richard 
Brinkley,  Lot  Basden,  Canada  Clubb,  Jacob  and  AVilliam  Coanour, 
and  the  C'alhouns  Avere  among  the  early  residents  of  this  part  of  the 
coimtv.  Cristv  Prairie  extends  into  the  northeastern  part  and  is 
divided  by  the  Bonpas  Creek  from  the  Calhoun  Prairie,  which  extends 
southward  along  the  western  side  of  the  township.  The  two  branches 
of  the  Bonpas  rise  here,  and  mark  the  site  of  the  timbered  portion. 
A  blue-limestone  quarry  is  found  in  the  township,  just  south  of  the 
•center.  The  village  of  Claremont  ranks  third  among  the  towns  of 
the  county,  and  is  situated  on  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad,  just 
north  of  the  center  of  the  townshi}). 

Bonpas  Township  forms  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  and 
was  orii;inally  heavilv  timl)ered.  It  is  watered  bv  the  river  from 
which  it  takes  its  name,  and  the  surface,  somewhat  broken  in  places, 
is  generally  rolling,  and  is  especially  adapted  to  growing  wheat  and 
olover.  It  is  now  generally  well  settled,  and  cut  into  small  farms, 
which  are  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  It  was  the  site  of  one  of  the 
earliest  settlements,  but  when  the  prairies  became  better  understood, 
the  more  open  townships  attracted  the  immigration,  and  Bonpas  suf- 
fered considerable  neglect.  During  recent  years  this  has  somewhat 
<'hanged,  and  this  township  is  well  settled  and  is  rajMdly  being  cleared 
up.  The  first  settlers  were  William  and  Georm*  lliciiius.  Reason 
Ruark,  Josei)h  Si)encer,  Medad,  Simmons,  Beard,  Benjamin  Bunn 
and  others.  The  first  Avater  mill  in  the  county  Avas  built  here,  and 
before  the  building  of  the  Ohio  c'c  Mississi[)i)i  Railroad,  this  toAVn- 
ship  furnished  the  coal  and  stone  for  the  county  principall}'. 

PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 

The  duty  of  providing  a  i)lace  for  the  County  and  Circuit  Courts 
to  do  business  in,  Avas  an  early  and   pressing  one.     Although  it  Avas 


HISTORY    or    KICHLAM)    COUNTY.  627 

providod  by  the  oriraniziuir  act  that  the  proportion  of  the  current 
tax  levy  devivetl  from  Kirhlaiid  County  shouhl  l)e  paid  into  the  treas- 
ury of  the  new  county,  the  amount  thus  made  available  was 
very  small,  not  reaching-  over  $200,  a  sum  wholly  inadeipiate 
for  the  biiildinii-  of  such  modest  structures  as  satisfied  the 
tastes  and  business  of  even  that  day.  'Plie  money  to  be  derived 
from  the  sale  of  the  property  donated  was  subject  to  an  indefinite 
delay,  and  the  amount  was  in  a  still  more  perplexin<^-  doubt.  The 
first  Commissioners  met  in  the  nearest  available  cabin,  that  of  Benja- 
min Boo-ard,  located  just  east  of  the  present  villa2:e  ofOlney,  on  the 
"  trace  road."  Here  the  reiifular  Commissioners  held  forth  until  the 
latter  part  of  1842.  The  west  room  of  Bogard's  cabin  was  obtained 
for  the  use  of  all  ( ■ounty  and  Circuit  Courts,  for  a  rental  of  $1 
per  month,  the  county  furnishin.o'  the  stove  for  heating- purposes. 
In  Scptemljer,  1842,  the  Board  of  Commissioners  and  the  leaders  of 
the  ^Methodist  Church  just  formed  here,  i»ot  together  and  agreed 
upon  another  substitute  for  a  court  house."  It  M-as  agreed  upon  and 
recorded  that  "  lot  Xo.  4,  in  Lilley's  donation  in  the  town  of  Olney, 
be  granted  to  the  Methodist  Church  on  condition  that  the  superin- 
tendent appointed,  or  who  undertakes  for  said  church,  shall  have 
erected  on  said  lot  a  meeting  house,  to  be  of  hewed  logs,  20x24  feet 
square,  nine  rounds  high,  to  be  finished  by  the  third  day  of  November 
next,  for  the  use  of  the  comity  to  hold  all  the  courts  of  the  county 
in  until  the  county  builds  a  court  house,  for  which  use  the  county  will 
make  a  deed  for  said  lot  to  said  church,  and  it  is  expressly  under- 
stood that  the  said  church  is  to  keep  the  said  house  in  good  repair, 
and  the  county  is  to  repair  all  damages  that  may  be  done  in  holding 
courts  in  said  house."  This  caliin  was  constructed  and  served  the 
various  needs  of  the  community,  as  meeting  house,  court  house  and 
schoolhouse,  and  still  stands  neglected  and  going  to  ruin  opposite 
the  depot  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  ct  Evansville  Rtiilroad  Company. 
The  church  seems  to  have  fulfilled  its  part  of  the  contract,  save 
perhaps  in  the  "rounds  high,"  which  now  appear  to  be  only  eight, 
instead  of  the  nine  stipulated.  Two  small  windows  on  either  side, 
admit  the  light,  while  a  single  door  in  the  end  admitted  the  people 
who  were  wont  to  gather  here  for  business  or  worship.  It  is  yet  in 
condition  to  last  for  many  years  Avith  some  judicious  care,  and  it 
would  seem  no  more  fitting  tribute  could  be  paid  to  the  memory  of 
the  pioneer  and  his  times  ^than  to  preserve  so  long  as  possible  this 
iincient  landmark. 

In  December,    1843,  a   new  court    house  was  projected  by  the 


628  HISTORY    OF    Rinil.AND    COUNTY. 

Board  to  he  forty  feet  square  and  two-stories  high.  The  eontractr 
which  is  very  explicit  and  covers  several  pages  of  the  record,  stipu- 
lates that  the  building  shall  be  a  frame  building,  the  first  story  twelve 
feet  high  and  the  second  the  same;  "the  foundation  to  be  well  laid 
with  solid  rock,  one  foot  under  ground  and  half  a  foot  above  the 
ground,  making  a  wall  eighteen  inches  high  and  one  foot  thick;"  ta 
be  weather-boarded  with  poplar  plank,  seven  inches  wide,  and  one- 
half  inch  thich;  to  have  three  outside  doors  and  thirty-two  windows 
of  twenty-four  lights,  10x12  inches;  for  which  the  contractors  were 
to  receive  orders  on  the  county  treasury,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  "donation  lots,  monevs  from  Lawrence  Countv,  or  else- 
where."  Asa  H.  Beard  and  W.  H.  Reed  were  the  contractors,  and 
the  sum  agreed  upon  for  the  work  was  $3,025.  This  structure  was 
erected  on  the  public  square,  but'it  was  the  middle  of  1847,  before  it 
was  finished.  The  first  contractors  failed  and  a  new  contract  wa& 
made  with  Beard  and  Henry  Spring  to  finish  it.  When  finished  the 
building  was  of  the  pattern  very  common  at  that  time,  a  sample  of 
which  may  still  be  seen  in  the  court  house  at  Toledo,  Cumberland 
Co.,  111.  The  lower  story  was  devoted  to  the  court  room,  which  was- 
entered  at  doorways  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  building.  The 
Judge's  seat  and  desk  was  in  the  centerof  the  south  side,  with  benches 
at  right  angles  on  either  hand,  and  seats  parallel  with  the  judicial 
bench  in  front,  for  the  bar.  A  row  of  posts  supported  the  upper 
story,  and  a  balustrade  to  divide  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  court 
from  the  audience.  The  separation  between  these  two  parties  was 
further  marked  by  broad  aisle  leading  from  one  door  to  the  other. 
A  doorway  in  the  north  side  led  to  an  enclosed  entrance  from  which 
the  upper  story  was  reached  by  a  flight  of  sfciirs.  The  upper  story 
was  divided  on  the  east  side  into  three  equal  rooms,  and  the  west 
side  into  two  equal  rooms,  with  a  hall  ten  feet  wide  between  thetwa 
sides,  running  north  and  south.  These  were  occupied  by  the  county 
oflicials.  A  cupola,  twelve  feet  square,  and  twelve  feet  high  sur- 
mouiit«d  the  structure.  Two  windows  on  a  side  lighted  the  court- 
room and  twenty-four  were  disposed  above,  all  of  which  were  sup- 
plied with  green  "  Venetian  shutters."  The  building  was  painted 
white  and  when  first  constructed  was  an  ornament  to  the  town  which 
early  gained  a  wide  reputation  for  its  neat  appearance.  In  18r)4,  a 
bell  was  added  to  the  court  house  fixtures,  at  a  cost  of  $70.  In  the 
following  year  the  public  square  was  enclosed  by  a  "  paling  fence," 
in  style,  strength  and  finish  similar  to  some  citizen's  fence  which  had 
attracted   the   Commissioners'    eye.      The    court   house  thus    pro- 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND   COU>fTY.  029 

videcl  served  the  county  over  thirty  years.  It  was  repaired  at  a  cost 
of  something  over  $1,000,  during  this  time,  and  in  185i)  was  sup- 
plemented hy  a  fire-proof  buikhng  for  the  offices  of  record  and  the 
Treasurer.  By  this  time  the  records  of  the  county  had  grown  to  a 
large  bulk,  and  that  such  important  papers  should  be  left  to  the  un- 
certainties of  a  frame  building  was  considered  too  hazardous.  The 
Board  accordingly  let  the  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  fire- 
proof building  to  Quartennan  and  Jobs  for  $1,535.  This  was  a  one 
story  brick  building,  about  15x40  feet,  provided  with  iron  shutters 
and  doors,  and  was  situated  on  the  public  square,  a  little  north  of 
the  present  east  gate.  This  building  is  still  serving  for  office  pur- 
poses on  the  corner  of  the  square  immediately  south  of  its  original 
position.  With  this  addition,  the  old  court  house  served  with  gen- 
eral acceptance  until  1873.  In  this  year  a  new  building  was  pro- 
jected and  the  whole  cost  fixed  at  a  sum  not  to  exceed  $4:0,000,  but 
this  sum  was  subsequently  reduced  to  $25,000. 

In  March,  1874,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  examined  the  plans 
of  various  architects,  seven  competing  plans  being  presented.  Con- 
siderable care  was  taken  to  select  a  plan  that  could  actually  be  car- 
ried out  with  the  proposed  outlay  of  money,  and  architects  were 
called  in  to  examine  the  specifications,  and  lawyei-s  to  examine  the 
arrangements  of  offices,  etc.  The  plan  of  J.  C  Cochrane,  of  Spring- 
field, was  adopted,  and  the  contract  subsequently  let  to  Barlow  and 
Gaddis.  On  the  18th  of  July,  1874,  the  corner  stone  was  laid  with 
impressive  ceremonies.  The  fire  department,  city  officials,  Masonic 
and  Odd  Fellows  Fraternities,  and  large  numbers  of  the  citizens 
united  in  a  procession,  and  on  reaching  the  site,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid,  according  to  the  ritual  of  the  Masonic  Order,  by  John  Gunn, 
Esq.,  assisted  by  AVilliam  Newell, chairman  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors of  the  county.  Addresses  were  made  by  Gen.  E.  Bowyer, 
Judge  Siiaw  and  Mayor  J.  M.  Wilson.  In  this  stone  a  variety  of 
documents  Avere  deposited.  A  remarkable  feature  of  the  structure 
is  the  foundation,  which  is  five  feet  thick  and  composed  of  short 
plank  laid  up  with  cement.  Upon  this  foundation,  at  the  surface  of 
the  orround  is  laid  the  brick  which  narrows  in  ten  courses  to  the 
thickness  of  the  walls.  The  general  style  of  architecture  is  Italian, 
and  that  of  the  details,  Tuscan.  The  material  is  brick,  with  stone 
trimmings,  the  roof  covered  with  slate  and  tin  and  the  cornice  of 
galvanized  iron.  The  form  of  the  building  is  that  of  the  Greek 
cross,  the  extreme  length,  east  and  west,  or  the  main  street  front,  is 
106  feet  and  (55  feet  in  the  north  and  south  direction.     A    portico 


630  HISTORY   OF   RICHLAXD   COUNTY. 

4()  fcot  lona",  finishes    the    north    front;  the  roof  of  which  is  sup- 
ported by  eight  stone  columns  in  couplets,  standinsf  on  solid  stone 
pedestals.     This  portico  stands   twenty-four  feet  high,  is  crowned 
Avith  a  classic  balustrade,  and  projects  fourteen  feet  from  the  wall- 
line.     At  each  of  the  corners  of  the  buildings  are  pilasters,  three 
feet  wide,  with  Tuscan  caps  supporting  the  main  cornice.     The  cor- 
nice of  the  main  part  of  the  building  is  descril)ed  as  [the  cantilever 
stylc'and  that  of  the  wings,  modillion.     The  building  is  surmounted 
by  a  dome  seventeen  feet  square,  with  massive  base,  and  on  each  of 
the    four  sides   are   projecting   porticos,  with   two  pilasters  of  the 
Corinthian    order.     Upon   the  summit    of  this  dome  is  a  flag-staff 
twent3'-two  feet  high.     The  height  of  the  walls  of  the  main  build- 
ing is  fifty-two  feet,  to  the  top  of  the  dome,  122  feet,  and  to  the  top 
of  the  flag-staff",  144   feet.     The   entrances  are  from   the   north  and 
south,  where  admittance  is  gained  by  double  doorways  to  large  cor 
ridor,  ten  feet  wide.     Another  corridor  of  the  same  width   crosses 
this  at  right  angles,  in  the  center  where  a  rotunda,  twenty-six  feet 
in  diameter,  is  formed.     From  the  east  and  west  corridor,  on  either 
side  of  the  building,  are  flights  of  stairs,  five  feet  wide,  leading  to 
the  second  story.     The  first  story  contains  the  offices  of  the  county 
officials.     The  west  wnng  affords  a  room  18x38  feet,  which  is  occu- 
pied by  the  County  Clerk.     This  is  supplied  with  a  fire-proof  vault, 
10x1.5  feet,  and  two  stories  high,  affording  a  floor  space  equal  to  20x30 
feet,  and  is  lighted  by  a  small  square  window.     This  is  off  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  office.     At  the  northeast  corner  of  the  room  is  a 
private  passage  way,  used  as  a  toilet  room,  and  affording  access   to 
the   Treasurer's  office,  a  room    eighteen  feet  square,  and  provided 
with  a  vault  and  the  common  furniture  of  a  bank.     On  the  south 
side  of  the  east  and  west   corridor,  an  office  corresponding  in   size 
and  general  location  to  the  Treasurer's  office,  is  a  room  assisfued  to  the 
County  Surveyor.     The  east  half  of  the  building  is  arranged  simi- 
larly.    Tlie  Circuit  Clerk  occupies  the  large  office  in  the  wing,  and 
the  smaller  offices  are  occupied  by  the  Sheriff'  and  County  Su[)erin- 
tendent  of  Schools.      Each  of  these  offices  is    supplied   with  fire- 
proof vaults,  the  smaller  offices  are  each  lighted  by  windows  from 
two  sides,  while  the  larger  offices  are  lighted  from  the  three  sides. 
The  court  room  'occupies  the   second   story  of  the  main    l)uilding, 
extending   north  and   south.     This  room  is   lighted  by  three  large 
windows  at  either  end,  and  is  entered  from  the  landing  at  the  head 
of  each  flight  of  staii-s,  by  double   doorways.     The   room  is  43x62 
feet,  and  is  twenty-six  feet  high,  furnishing  an  auditorium  capable  of 


IIISTOKY    OF   KICIILAND    COUNTY.  631 

seatini^  300  people.  The  Judge's  seat  and  bar  is  in  the  south  end, with 
ample  provision  for  jury, witnesses  and  professional  attendants  upon 
the  court,  r.ehind  the  Judije's  seat  is  a  screen,  ten  feet  high,  the 
center  of  which  is  a  large  panel  of  dark  wood,  while  the  wings  are 
paneled  with  figured  glass.  This  softens  the  glare  of  the  light 
admitted  by  the  three  windows  in  the  south  end.  The  upper  story 
of  the  west  Aving  is  occupied  by  rooms  for  the  grand  and  petit  juries 
and  Avitnesses.  The  three  rooms  over  the  Circuit  Clerk's  office  are 
assigned  to  the  Board  of  Supervisoi-s,  library  and  consultation  room 
and  the  Judge's  private  room.  This  division  is  only  theoretical, 
however.  The  Library  consists  of  a  few  volumes  of  State  reports, 
seldom  consulted,  if  the  dust  affords  any  criterion,  and  the  room  is 
chiefly  used  as  a  lumber  room  for  the  storage  of  sundry  political 
paraphernalia.  The  other  rooms  are  occupied  by  the  various  juries, 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  using  the  ample  quarters  of  the  County 
Clerk  for  its  sittings.  The  offices  are  neat,  convenient  and  attractive 
in  appearance,  and  the  com-t  room  and  retiring  rooms  might  be  so,  if 
the  same  care  and  taste  had  been  expended  upon  them.  The  walls 
of  the  first  story  rooms  are  neatly  calcimined,  while  the  upper 
rooms  are  left  in  their  original  state,  while  seamed  Avith  many  a 
crack  and  disfigured  in  places  by  the  vandal  Avork  of  the  imscrupulous 
scribbler.  The  retiring  rooms  are  scantily  furnished  and  the  floors 
uncovered.  The  cellar,  provided  AA'itli  furnace  and  piping,  at  a  cost 
of  $829,  is  left  in  the  unfinished  condition  the  builder  left  it.  In 
1878,  a  clock  was  placed  in  the  dome  at  a  cost  of  $500,  the  city  pay- 
ing one  half  of  the  expense.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  ex- 
clusive of  the  fixtures  last  mentioned,  Avas  something  over  $37,000, 
the  specifications  of  the  original  plan  calling  for  Avood  being  replaced 
by  stone,  Avhich  Avas  undoubtedly  a  valuable  modification.  The  pub- 
lic square  is  noAV  nicely  graded  and  sodded,  the  old  practice  of  rais- 
ing hay  having  given  Avay  to  the  more  enlightened  method  of  hnvn 
cultivation.  The  Avhole  is  surrounded  by  an  iron  fence,  upon  a 
stone  foundation,  presenting  a  tout  ensemhJe  ecpialed  by  the  public 
of  few  county-seats  in  southern  Illinois. 

A  jail  Av as  evidently  considered  a  necessity  much  earlier  than 
a  court  house,  or  a  substitute  Avas  much  less  easily  found.  Accord- 
ingly, in  September,  1JS41,  a  jail  Avas  projected  by  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners, to  be  located  on  the  lot  Avhich  is  noAV  occupied  in  part 
by  the  engine  house.  The  plan  Avas  unique  and  can  only  be  proi)erly 
given  in  the  language  of  the  record.  It  Avas  provided:  "  the  founda- 
tion  to  be  seventeen   feet  square,  bv  diijging  out  the  earth  eight 


632  HISTORY    or    RICIILAND   COtTNTY. 

inches  deep,  which  is  to  be  next  laid  with  solid  rock,  sixteen  inches 
deep,  eiirht  inches  above  the  surface  of  the  ground  ;  floor  to  be  laid 
on  the  rock,  the  full  size  of  the  jail,  of  hewn  timber  one  foot  thick  ; 
wall  to  be  composed,  first  story  of  three  thicknesses,  second  story  ot 
one  thickness,  of  hewn  timber  ;  to  be  two-story,  of  eight  feet  each 
story,  the  inner  thickness  to  be  of  hewn  timber  one  foot  square,  to 
be  eight  feet  long,  the  outside  wall  to  be  of  timber  of  the  same 
thickness,  and  three  walls  to  be  seventeen  feet  long,  and  two  walls 
to  be  twenty-five  feet  long,  the  vacancy  between  the  walls  to  be 
filled  Avith  square  timber  put  in  perpendicularly;  second  floor  to  be 
laid  with  square  timber  one  foot  thick,  and  dovetailed  in  half 
through  the  outer  wall;  third  floor  to  be  laid  with  timber 
eiffht  inches  thick,  all  the  timbers  to  be  of  good,  solid  white  oak,  the 
roof  to  be  put  on  with  joint  shingles  in  a  workmanlike  manner.  The 
intention  of  the  long  timbers  is  for  an  additional  jailor's  room,  all 
to  be  done  in  a  workmanlike  manner.  Two  doors  to  be  cut  as  the 
building  is  raised,  two  and  a  half  wide,  six  and  a  half  feet  long,  and 
to  be  cased;  the  windows  to  be  put  on  the  outside,  two  in  each  room  ; 
eifrht  bars  of  iron  for  the  windows,  two  in  each  window,  let  into  the 
center  of  each  log,  to  be  squared  equal  to  the  case  of  the  window  ; 
doors  to  be  cased  with  three  inch  timber  ;  the  size  of  windows  in 
lower  room  to  be  6x8  inches,  in  debtor's  room,  6x10  inches."  This 
description  without  the  aid  of  punctuation  or  capital  letters  was  the 
text  by  which  the  first  stronghold  of  the  count}'^  was  built.  The 
jailor's  room  Avas  never  built,  and  as  constructed  it  was  just  a  two- 
storied  box  with  an  ante-room  from  which  entrance  was  gained  to 
the  lower  room,  and  the  upper  story  reached  by  a  flight  of  stairs. 
Otherwise  the  specifications  were  followed,  and  a  reasonably  secure 
jail  built.  Wood,  however  thick,  does  not  seem  to  be  adapted  to  the 
retention  of  determined  prisoners  and  escapes  were  not  unheard  ot 
here.  Some  cut  their  way  through  to  the  debtor's  room  above  and 
thence  through  the  roof.  Others  tunneled  through  the  bottom,  and 
one,  less  fortunate,  attempted  to  get  through  the  small  opening  in 
the  door  used  to  pass  food  through,  and  only  failed  after  getting  his 
head  and  one  arm  through.  At  this  juncture  lie  lost  his  support, 
and  was  found  in  this  awkward  situation,  half  dead,  by  the  jailor  in 
the  morning.  In  March,  1856,  a  new  jail  was  projected,  to  be  of 
brick,  about  20x40  feet,  one-half  to  be  devoted  to  the  prison,  and 
the  other  as  a  jailor's  or  sheriff 's  residence.  This  still  remains  on 
the  corner  of  Market  and  ^Mulberry  streets.  The  cells  were  formed 
of  brick,  lined  with  wood,  and  this  sheathed  with  sheet  iron.     This 


III8TORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  633 

proved  a  very  insuffiriont  restraint  to  i)risoner.s,  and  criminals 
charged  with  heinous  crimes  were  chained  to  make  them  secure. 
Digging  out  througli  the  floor  was  fre(|uently  successful,  and  dig- 
ging a  hole  through  the  brick  wall  under  th(;  window  sills,  another 
easy  means  of  escape.  In  December,  18()8,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  correspond  in  regard  to  iron  cells,  and  in  the  following 
year,  two  of  these  improved  boxes  were  placed  in  the  upper  apart- 
ment, at  a  cost  of  $1,458.20.  The  bnilding  was  originally  con- 
structed by  Lutz  &  Cain,  a  firm  that  changed  to  Caiii  &  Hay  ward 
before  the  building  Avas  completed  at  a  cost  of  $3,790. 

The  care  of  the  poor  has  been  a  prominent  question  betore  the 
executive  board   of  the   county,  and  has  taken   on  all  the  various 
phases  common  to  the  smaller  counties.     Up  to   18.59,  sundry  indi- 
viduals cared  for  the  poor  persons  in  their  neigh])orhood  and  were 
paid  by  the  county  as  it  saw  fit.     This  was  carried  to  the  extent  in 
some  cases  that  a  man  was  occasionally  paid  for  the  care  of  his  poor 
relation.     On  the  change  of  organization,  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
passed  the  following  order  :  "That  the  keeping  and  taking  care  of 
the  poor  and  paupers  of  Richland  County,  111.,  be  let  to  the  lowest 
responsible  bidder,  for  the  term  of  one  year  commencing  on  the  first 
day  of  January,  18()0,  the  contracting  parties  to  have  the  sole  care 
and  attention  of  boarding,  clothing,  nursing,  medical  attention,  and, 
in  fact,  all  charges  of  every  description,  chargeable  to  the  county  for 
said  poor  or  paupers;  the  party  contracting  to   take  said  poor  or 
paupers'  property  or  effects,  the  poor  or  paupers  to  be  delivered  to 
the  contracting  parties  at  their  place  designated  in  the  contract,  and 
the  contracting  party  to  pay  the  expense  incurred  in  the  delivery  by 
any  overseer  of  the  poor  in  any  of  the  townships  in  the  county;  the 
contracting  party  to  receive  pay  by  the  year,  let  the  number  be  what- 
ever it  may,  more  or  less,  the  price  to  be  no  more  nor  less  than  the 
amount  agreed  upon  for  any  number  that  may  come  to  his  charo-e 
from  said  overseers  of  the  poor,  and   remain  in  said  charge  as  poor 
or  paupers,  and  shall  receive  quarterly  payments  as    per  said  con- 
tract."    It  was  further  provided  that  the  contracting  party  should 
give  a  bond  with  approved  securities  for  the  fiiithful  pc;rformance  of 
his  duties  under  the  contract,  and  that  one  bid  should  be   reserved 
for  the  county.     John    D.  Richards  was   the   first   purveyor  to  the 
poor  under  this  arrangement,  and  received  $.58t).50  for  his  services. 
The  price  paid  was  subsequently  reduced  as  low  as   $3(30  and  $397, 
but  this  was  the  lowest  point.     In  18()5,  the  price  i)aid  was  $750,  and 
$1,000  in  18G6,  $801  in  1808,  and  $1,200  in  1869.    In  1868,  after  the 


634  msTOiJV  of  rktiland  cointy. 

reofular  committee  had  examiiietl  the  couclition  of  the  poor,  they 
iiKluded  in  their  report  ;i  recommendation  that  a  farm  be  purchased 
for  the  care  of  the  poor.  The  prospect  seemed  to  be  that  the  num- 
ber M'ould  so  increase  that  the  phin  in  operation  would  prove- 
impracticable.  A  special  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the 
matter  and  the  result  was  that  in  March,  1869,  a  farm  was  purchased 
The  land  is  situated  four  miles  east  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of 
Olney  City,  and  consists  of  167  acres.  It  was  purchased  of  Nicholas 
Sterchi,  at  $27  per  acre.  The  farm  had  a  fair  story  and  a  half  frame 
house  on  it  and  out  buildini>-s,  and  these  have  served  the  purposes  of 
the  county  until  now.  A  keeper  is  appointed  each  j-ear  at  a  salary 
of  $1,200  per  annum,  and  the  product  of  the  farm  accrues  to  the 
benefit  of  the  county. 

COURTS  AND  CROIE. 

The  lack  of  anything  like  caste  in  the  early  days  robbed  the 
early  courts  of  much  of  the  moderate  dignity  that  noAv  attaches  to 
them.  The  surroundings  were  of  the  "  homespun  "  character  of  the 
whole  society  here,  and  the  easy  way  in  which  the  official  rank  was 
worn  made  everybod}^  "free  and  easy,"  save  when  within  the  actual 
clutches  of  the  law.     Of  this  Mr.  J.  M.  Wilson  writes  : 

"  Circuit  Court  week  was  the  great  holiday  for  the  men,  and  the 
court  and  bar  of  fifty  years  ago  had  vastly  more  of  consequence  in 
the  eyes  of  the  backwoodsman  than  it  has  to  their  successors.  Trav- 
eling on  horseback  over  a  wide,  extended  circuit,  extending  from 
Gallatin,  including  White  County,  on  the  south,  and  Danville  on 
the  north,  to  the  center  of  the  State  on  the  west,  their  progress  was 
somewhat  after  the  fashion  of  the  early  English  judges.  At  each 
county-seat,  judge  and  lawyers,  some  three  or  four,  put  up  at  the 
same  hotel  and  held  a  grand  reception  on  the  first  evening  of  tlieir 
arrival;  were  called  on  bv  all  the  leadiuo-  men  of  the  county,  and 
Averc  all  eminent  in  their  profession.  The  old  hnvyer  was  ever  a 
man  of  education  and  a  gentleman,  and  the  old  judges,  such  as  AVil- 
son  and  Breese,  have  no  superiors  since  their  day.  There  were  no 
pettyfogging  shysters  at  the  bar;  self-interest  never  swayed  them 
from  the  truth.  Bat.  Wcl)b  and  Gen.  John  Kobinson,  U.  F.  Linder 
and  O.  B.  Fickliii,  and  ('harles  Constable,  together  traveled  the  cir- 
cuit. Each  had  their  peculiarities,  but  all  "were  abh^  lawyers. 
There  were  but  few  cases  of  nun-der.  In  1<S38,  one  Ledbetter  was  hung 
in  Carmi  for  the  nun-der  of  his  brother  in  Gallatin  County,  wluMice 
a  chanire  of  vemie  Avas  taken  to  "White  CountA'.     An  immense  con- 


f 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  637 

course  from  all  the  adjacent  counties  witnessed  the  execution.  Most 
of  the  criminal  cases  were  for  counterfcitini;:  and  lio£>-  stealinof. 
There  were  some  peculiarities  in  the  old  judij^es  and  court  proceed- 
ings that,  to  say  the  lea^t,  would  bo  novel  now;  as  instance:  Once, 
in  1830,  during  the  progress  of  a  trial  at  old  Maysville,  a  chap  filled 
with  whisky  and  fun  galloped  on  all  fours  across  the  courtroom  in 
front  of  the  Judge,  Wilson,  kicking  and  neighing  like  a  horse.  The 
Judge  ordered  the  Shcritf  to  put  that  horse  in  the  stable.  The  Sheritf, 
after  a  struggle,  captured  the  would-be  ecpiine,  telling  the  Judge 
there  was  no  jail,  when  the  Judge  said  they  must  build  one.  The 
Sheriff  swore  he  would  not  hold  him  till  that  was  done,  and  turned 
the  fellow  loose.  On  one  occasion  during  the  progi'ess  of  a  trial, 
whilst  an  eminent  attorney  Avas  addressing  a  jury,  a  man  breathless 
with  haste,  rushed  into  the  court  house  and  ])roclaimed  aloud  that 
two  celebrated  bullies  were  going  to  fight,  and  were  then  stripping 
for  the  contest.  Oft'  helter  skelter  Avent  the  crowd,  jury,  witnesses 
and  lawyers,  followed  by  the  Judge,  calling,  '  Sheritt",  adjourn  the 
Court !'  The  Sherift"  yelled,  'Court  is  adjourned  !'  as  he  leaped 
out  the  court  house  door.  This  was  in  Hamilton  County;  Ellic  Grant 
was  the  Judge,  and  a  good  one,  too.  On  a  cerfciin  occasion  in  Rich- 
land, when  court  was  holden  in  the  little  old  log  house  nearly  oppo- 
site the  dei)ot  of  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  K.  li,  one  Wilson  Nash  pei-sisted  in 
wearing  his  coon-skin  cap  regardless  of  the  repeated  cry  of  '  Hats 
oft'  in  Court,'  whereupon  LcAvis  Saw^^er,  the  Sherift",  made  a  sweep- 
ing stroke  with  his  cane  to  knock  the  cap  oflf,  but  striking  too  low, 
knocked  Xash  heels  over  head. 

"There  have  been  but  few  executions  in  southern  Illinois  in  the 
last  fifty  years,  one  in  Wabash,  one  in  Lawrence;  and  one  man,  Jeft* 
White,  was  hung  by  a  band  of  lynchers,  in  Richland.  AVe,  as  a  rule, 
liave  always  had  a  law-abiding  people,  who  are  innocent  of  the 
blood-curdling  atrocities  we  read  of  in  other  parts  of  the  country.'^ 

It  should  be  added  that  Richland  County  has  not  been  free  of 
murders.  At  an  early  day  one  Gatewood  got  into  an  altercation 
Avith  one  lirimberry.  In  the  course  of  the  Avrangle,  Giitewood  threw 
up  his  gun  to  shoot  his  op])onent,  when  Brimberry  rushed  between 
the  men  and  received  the  fatal  shot.  Gatewood  Hed,  and  Avas  never 
brought  to  justice.  More  recently,  a  case  of  indefensible  homicide 
brought  out  the  only  manifestation  of  "lynch  justice  "  the  county 
has  ever  knoAvn.  Two  farmers  had  had  some  difficulty,  when  they 
met  on  the  farm  of  the  aggressive  party.  After  ordering  the  man 
oft"  the  premises,  Avherc  he  was  engaged  in  threshing,  the  i)roi)rietor 

39 


(j38  HISTORY   OF    KICHLAXD    COUNTY. 

of  the  farm  went  to  his  house  and  returned  with  a  gun,  and  without 
further  parley  killed  the  man.  The  murderer  was  arrested  and 
brought  to  the  jail,  where  he  remained  two  or  three  days.  In  the 
meanwhile  the  report  became  general  that  a  prominent  attorney 
had  taken  his  case  to  defend,  and  that  he  felt  confident  of  securing 
his  acquittal.  This  brought  out  a  mob  from  the  country,  neighbors 
tind  friends  of  the  murdered  man,  and  the  criminal  was  tjiken  to  a 
tree  in  the  court-yard  and  hung.  Others  charged  with  murder  have 
been  disposed  of  by  the  courts  in  the  county,  but  none  have  been 
judicially  hung.  The  early  crimes  were  principally  counterfeiting, 
horse  stealing,  hog  stealing,  and  assault  and  battery. 

The  machinery  of  justice  was  set  in  motion  in  the  fall  of  1841, 
the  first  grand  jury  being  composed  of  the  following  citizens:  John 
Cotterell,  Thomas   McCarty,  Daniel  Wheeler,  Samuel    R.  Lowry, 

Carnahan,  J.  F.  Reed,  George  Mc Williams,  Stephen  Gardner, 

Thomas  Lewis,  Thaddeus  Morehouse,  Joseph  Bryan,  George  Hig- 
gins,  Thomas  Parker,  Elcana  Richards,  Enoch  Stites,  John  Heep, 
John  Matthews,  John  Brown,  Henry  Taylor,  L.  L.  Allendar,  Elijah 
Nelson,  Arvin  Webster,  Orran  Coats.  The  first  petit  jury  was 
composed  of  Mclntyre  Ryan,  Samuel  Butler,  John  Allen,  Thomas 
Ellingsworth,  Daniel  Ripple,  T.  W.  Lilley,  Hiram  Barney,  Jr., 
AVilliam  Perry,  Matthew  Elston,  William  Coanour,  William  Leath- 
ers, William  Lampkin,  David  Walker,  John  Price,  Andrew  Britton, 
William  McWilliams,  James  Nelson,  John  Jefl:brds,  F-  B.  Parker, 
James  Cheek,  S-  W.  Graham,  George  Smith,  Wright  ]Mash  and 
James  B.  Shields. 

COUNTY   OFFICIALS. 

The  Connnissioners  elected  in  1841  were  Lot  Basden,  Amos 
Bullarcl  and  Hugh  Calhoun,  Jr.  By  lot  it  was  decided  that  the  length 
of  term  of  each  one's  office  should  be  in  the  order  named,  the  longest 
first.  In  1842,  Hugh  Calhoun,  Jr.,  was  re-elected;  1843,  Elijah  Nel- 
son; 1844,  Samuel  R.  Lowry;  1845,  Canada  Clubb  to  succeed  Lowry, 
resigned,  and  Elcana  Richards  for  regular  term;  184(5,  James  Cheek; 
1847,  Joseph  Harmon;  1848,  John  1).  Richards.  In  the  following 
year  the  new  constitution  was  framed  and  adopted,  the  election 
changed  trom  August  to  November,  and  the  County  Court  established. 
This  court  consisted  of  a  County  Judge  and  two  assistants,  who  were 
ex-officto  justices  of  the  peace.  Upon  this  court  was  conferred  all 
the  i)owers  of  the  county  commissioners,  and  ui)on  the  county  judge, 
the  probate  business  formerly  devolving  upon  the  probate  justice  of 


HISTORY   OF    RICHLAND    COUNT!'.  639 

the  peace.  The  uicmbors  of  the  court  hold  office  for  four  years,  and 
were  all  elected  at  the  same  time.  In  1849,  A.  Kitchell  was  elected-- 
County  Judge,  and  N.  D.  Jay  and  S.  R.  Lowry,  associates.  In  1851, 
Elcana  Richards  was  elected  to  succeed  Jay,  deceased.  In  1852,  J.. 
D.  Richards  was  elected  County  Judge  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  death  of  Kitchell.  In  1853,  the  following  members  were  elected 
for  the  regular  terra:  J.  D.  Richards,  County  Judge;  Miles  R.  Yocum 
and  D.  W.  Blain,  associates;  1857,  John  D.  Richards,  County  Judo-e; 
D.  W.  Blain  and  Henry  Peebles,  associates.  In  1857,  township 
organization  was  voted  by  the  people,  and  the  following  Board  of 
Supervisors  elected:  D.  W.  Blain,  from  Olney  Township;  James 
Adams,  from  Boone  (Denver);  11.  L.  Carson,  from  Jackson  (Decker); 
W.  R.  Williams,  from  Noble;  Jacob  May,  from  Claremont;  T.  S. 
Smith,  from  Bonpas;  Christian  Jaggi,  from  Troy  (German);  James 
Kinkade,  from  Douglas  (Preston);  Milton  Eckley,  from  Madison. 
The  records  of  the  county  are  not  sufficiently  explicit  to  add  to  the 
list  of  supervisors  of  the  county.  But  one  place  in  the  records  of 
twenty-five  years  does  the  name  of  the  supervisors  appear  with  the 
names  of  the  townships  which  they  represented,  and  the  task  of 
deciphering  this  relation  is  of  a  more  extended  nature  than  the  im- 
portance of  the  result  would  warrant. 

The  Treasurers  of  the  county  have  1)een,  W.  H.  Reed,  elected  in 
1841;  M.  C.  McLain,  in  1845;  Jonas  Notestine,  appointed  December 
10,  184(),  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  McLain; 
M.  Stautlej-,  elected  in  1847;  Joshua  Smalley,  in  1849;  William  T. 
Shelby,  appointed  March,  1852,  in  place  of  Smalley,  deceased;  T.  L. 
Stewart,  elected  in  1855;  R.  B.  Marney,  1857;  T.  T.  Smith,  1859;  D. 
D.  Marquis,  18G5;  John  Kuster,  1869;  George  D.  Morrison,  1873; 
John  Kuster,  appointed  in  1874  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Marney;  Frank  Gillaspie,  in  1877,  who  is  the  present 
incumbent. 

The  Circuit  Clerks  have  been,  J.  M.  Wilson,  appointed  in  1841; 
M.  B.Snyder,  elected  in  1849;  John  Wolf,  appointed  March,  1859, 
to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Snyder;  G.  W.  Mor- 
rison, elected  November,  1859,  to  serve  out  the  unexpired  term  of 
Snyder;  John  Wolf,  elected  in  1860;  C  W.  Cullen,  in  1864;  Aden 
Knoph,  in  1868;  Thomas  Tibbett,  in  1880,  and  is  the  present  Clerk. 

The  county  clerks  until  1849  were  elected  recorders  and  were 
appointed  clerk  to  the  County  Court  by  the  county  commissioners. 
M.  B.  Snyder  was  the  first  and  only  Recorder  of  the  county  and 
Clerk  of  the  County  Court  from  1841  to  1849;  Jacob  Ilofman,  from 


640  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

1849  until  18()1;  W.  T.  Shelby,  from  1861  until  18t)5;  J.  R.  John- 
son from  186')  until  1869;  W.  T.  Shelby,  from  1869  until  1882;  John 
Von  Gunten  from  1882,  and  is  the  present  County  Clerk. 

The  Sherilfs  of  the  county  have  been:  Lewis  Sawyer,  appointed 
m  1841,  and  subsequently  elected  until  1848;  J.  H.  Parker,  elected 
in  1848;  R.  B.  Marney,  in  1850;  J.  H.  Parker,  in  1852;  Mclntyre 
Ryan,  in  1854;  Horace  Hay  ward,  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  Ryan,  May,  1855;  J.  H.  Parker,  elected  in 
1856;  W.  T.  Shelby,  in  1858;  T.  L.  Stewart,  in  1860;  AYilliam  Cov- 
entry, in  1862;  T.  L  Stewart,  in  1864;  Archibald  Spring,  in  1866; 
M.  M.  St.  John,  in  1868;  Hiram  Sharp,  in  1872;  J.  J.  Richey,  in 
1878;  Archibald  Spring  in  1882,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

The  office  of  county  judge,  as  at  present  constituted,  dates  back 
to  1857  for  its  origin.  Previous  to  1849,  the  somewhat  similar  offi- 
cial was  the  probate  justice  of  the  peace,  and  from  1849  to  1857,  the 
county  judge  acted  also  as  county  commissioner,  and  has  been  classi- 
fied elsewhere.  R.  B.  Marney  was  the  first  and  only  Probate  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  Richland  County,  from  1841  until  1849.  In  1857, 
John  D.  Richards  was  elected  and  served  until  1865;  James  Wright, 
from  1865  to  1869;  John  D.  Richards,  from  1869  to  1873;  H.  Hay- 
ward,  from  1873  to  1882;  F.  D.  Preston,  from  1882,  and  is  now  the 
Presidino:  Judfje. 

The  Surveyors  of  the  county  have  been:  A.  F.  David,  elected  in 
1841;  John  Wolf,  in  1846;  A.  B.  Webster,  appointed  in  March,  1849, 
to  fill  vacancy  occasioned  by  resignation  of  Wolf;  John  Wolf,  elected 
in  1851;  John  Reasoner,  in  1853;  Isaac  Barnes,  in  1855;  A.  Jenkins, 
in  18(>5;  I.  Barnes,  in  1869;  Thomas  Humbert,  in  1875;  J.  H.  Clark, 
in  1879,  and  is  still  in  office. 

The  office  of  county  superintendent  of  schools  dates  its  origin 
to  1865.  Before  this,  the  corresponding  official,  with  somewhat  less 
duties,  was  the  School  Commissioner.  The  gentlemen  who  have 
filled  this  position  are:  J.  F.  Reed,  elected  in  1841;  A.  L.  Byers,  in 
1847;  Daniel  Cox,  in  1849;  A.  H.  Baird,  appointed  in  1850  to  fill 
vacancy;  J.  H.  Gunn,  elected  in  1853;  William  Warfield,  in  1861; 
Jacob  Hofman,  in  1864.  As  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  W- 
H.  Williams,  elected  in  1865;  J.  C.  Scott,  appointed  October  19, 
1867,  in  place  of  Williams,  removed;  W.  W.  Carncs,  appointed 
March  23,  1872,  in  place  of  Scott,  resigned;  J.  J.  Coons,  elected  in 
1873;  R.  N.  Stotler,  elected  in  1882,  and  is  the  present  official. 


IIISTOUV    OF    KICIILAM)    COUxNTV.  G41 

SOCIAL   DEVELOPMENT. 

The  social  development  of  a  comniiiuity  is  the  true  measure  of 
its  progress.  Individuals  may  actjuire  wealth  and  renown  without 
virtue,  but  the  community  has  a  longer  life,  and  success  in  the  end 
depends  upon  the  moral  sentiment,  and  the  culture  which  is  a  nec- 
essary outgrowth  of  such  sentiment.  The  relation  of  the  physical 
features  of  a  country  to  such  development  is  an  important  one,  and 
he  who  would  learn  the  hidden  causes  that  make  or  mar  a  nation 
must  seek  in  these  "  the  divinity  that  shapes  our  ends."  In  these 
physical  features  are  stored  those  potent  industrial  possibilities  that 
make  the  master  and  the  menial  in  races.  From  the  fertile  soil 
comes  fruit-ladened,  peace-loving  agricultiu'e;  from  the  rock-bound 
stores  of  mineral  wealth  springs  the  rude  civilization  of  the  early 
days  on  the  Pacific  slope,  or  the  half-savage  clashing  of  undisci- 
plined capital  and  labor  in  the  mining  regions;  from  the  rivers  rises, 
fairy-like,  the  commercial  metropolis,  which,  "crowned  with  the 
glory  of  the  mountains"  and  fed  with  the  bounty  of  the  plains, 
stands  the  chosen  arbiter  between  the  great  forces  that  join  to  make 
a  nation's  greatness.  The  influence  of  this  subtle  power  is  felt  every- 
where. Here  it  spreads  the  lotus  plant  of  ease  and  binds  the  nation 
in  chains  of  indolent  eff'eminacy;  here  among  the  bleak  peaks  of  a 
sterile  land, 

"The  heather  on  the  mountain  height 
Begins  to  bloom  in  purple  light," 

a  type  of  a  hardy  and  uncon(juered  race;  there  it  strews  the  sand  of 
desert  wilds,  and  man,  without  resource,  becomes  a  savage.  This 
factor  in  society  is  marked  even  in  the  smaller  divisions  of  society, 
and  stamps  the  mark  of  destiny  upon  the  single  community.  The 
early  people  of  Kichland  County  were  fortunate  in  two  respects. 
Here  were  brought  together  emigrants  from  all  sections  of  the 
nation.  The  native  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  the  States  further 
south  met  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers  of  Ohio,  New  York  and 
New  England.  The  social  customs  of  either  section  modified  the 
other,  and  while  the  amusements  and  incidents  of  public  occasions 
took  on  much  of  that  boisterous  cliaracter  common  to  southern  Illi- 
nois, they  lost  much  of  the  most  objectionable  features  earlier  than 
many  surrounding  comnuuiities. 

EARLY    IfOADS. 

Another  influence  in  this  direction  was  the  fact  that  through 
Richland  County  lay  the  great  thoroughfare  in  this  section  of  the 


642  HISTORY    OF   RICHLAND    COUNTi'. 

State  from  ea-st  to  west.  This  gave  facilities  for  coming  in  contact 
with  the  outside  world,  and  brought  the  habits  and  customs  preva- 
lent here  in  sharp  comparison  with  more  advanced  communities  else- 
where. In  this  way  roads  became  mighty  agencies  in  the  problem 
of  civilization,  and  railroads,  by  cheapening  the  cost  of  travel  and 
stimulating  the  industry  of  a  community,  foster  the  best  elements 
of  development. 

The  thorouo-hfare  referred  to  was  the  regular  successor  of  the 
old  Indian  trail  which  led  from  Bear  Grass,  now  the  site  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  to  Cahoki;i,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  near  Saint  Louis. 
Indian  trails  were  the  only  certain  guides  to  the  ciirliest  travelers  in 
this  country,  and  soon  1)ecame  marked  l)y  the  wagon  tracks   of  the 
whites.     This  trail  followed  the  most  direct  and  availa])le  route 
between  the  two  points,  so  that  there  was  little  inducement  for  the 
early  settlers  to  change  its  location,  and  for  some  time  it  was  made 
a  mail  route  for  the  settlements  that  gathered  near  it.     About  1835, 
however,  the  road  was  regularly  laid  out  and  worked  by  the  general 
government  between  Vincennes  and   Saint  Louis,  and  at  this  time 
was  varied  somewhat  to  enter  the  villages  or  nuclei  of  settlements 
that  were  growing  into  importance  a  little  off  the  old  line.     Through 
this  county  the  original  trail   passed  a  little  south  of  Olney  and 
Claremont,  and  the  government  survey  brought  it  north  so  as  to 
pass  through  these  towns.     Up  to  1824,  the  mail  was  carried  along 
this  route  on  horseback,  but  at  this  time  this  primitive  method  was 
superseded  by  two-horse  vehicles,  Messrs.  ]\Iills  and  Whetsel  being 
contractors.     In  182'S,  these  were  succeeded  by  the  regulation  four- 
horse  stages,  which  continued  to  ply  the  road  until  the  location  of 
the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad  in  1852,  marked  the  approach  of  a 
new  era  in  traveling.     These  stages  were  fitted  out  with  all  the  lux- 
uriance of  the  time.     The  winding  horn  announced  the  approach  of 
"the  mail,"  the  horses'  plumes  touched  the  romantic  hearts  of  the 
young,  while  the  dexterity  of  the  various  drivers  and  the  gossip  of 
the  travelers  afforded  the  issues  for  the  wordy  wars  which  took  place 
about  the  fire-place  of  the  tavern  or  elsewhere.     But  with  all  these 
accessories  "staging"  was  rather  a  prosaic  matter  to  both  driver  and 
passenger.     During  a  large  i)art  of  the  year  the  travel  was  slow  and 
laborious,  and  it  was  no  infreiiuent  thing  that  the  stage  was  fixed  in 
the  mud  and  al)andoned,  the  tri[)  being  completed  in  some  farmer's 
wagon  which  the  driver  secm-ed.     Hoi-ses  were  changed  every  ten 
miles,  and  one  stage  made  the  trip  from  Vincennes  to  this  county, 
where  it  was  met  by  another  vehicle,  whicii   made  another  third  of 


mSTOKV    OF    UICIILANI)    COUNTY.  ()43 

the  distance  botweou  the  two  terminal  points.  The  end  of  this  Vin- 
cennes  division  was  at  ditlerent  points  in  the  county  at  ditlerent 
tinK\s,  sometimes  at  the  Fox  River,  at  Olnev,  or  just  cast  of  town.  Tn 
addition  to  the  staofc  line,  there  wasalarofc  tratfic  on  this  road  which 
brought  considerable  revenue  to  the  county.  Saint  Louis  was  the 
great  market  for  all  this  region,  and  the  trace  road  was  crowded 
Avith  teams,  at  certain  seasons,  hauling  produce  to  market.  There 
were  certain  market  days  on  Avhich  teamsters  planned  to  reach  the 
city,  and  the  caravan  approaching  this  destination  would  stretch  out 
for  miles  on  the  road.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  tind  from  fif- 
teen to  fifty  teams  resting  at  some  of  tlie  early  tiiverns  along  the 
road,  and  subsequently  large  numbers  would  "  put  up  "  for  the  night. 
Tliis  gave  a  irood  market  for  all  the  suri)lus  corn  in  the  nei<rhl)or- 
liood,  and  a  sale  for  other  i)roducts,  for  many  of  these  teamsters  were 
hucksters  on  their  own  account. 

The  early  roads,  running  north  and  south,  were  a  road  extend- 
ing via  Palestine  to  Terre  Haute,  one  running  to  Carmi  and  one 
via  Newton  to  Cliarleston.  Local  roads,  some  laid  out  by  regidar 
process  and  others  by  general  use,  united  the  various  settlements  in 
the  county.  Road-making  was  a  large  part  of  the  business  of  the  early 
commissioners,  and  vacating  and  re-locating  roads  was  as  frequent 
as  the  establishment  of  new  ones.  Most  of  the  early  roads  ignored 
section  lines  and  ran  the  most  direct  route  that  was  available  from 
point  to  point.  When  the  country  became  more  thickly  settled  this 
plan  was  foimd  to  interfere  with  the  convenience  of  farniei"s  whose 
lands  were  purchased  according  to  the  lines  of  survey.  It  was  con- 
sequently easy  to  get  the  requisite  number  of  signers  to  a  petition 
for  a  change  of  road.  This  has  ])een  continued  until,  with  few 
exceptions,  the  roads  are  all  run  on  the  section  lines  and  are 
found  a  mile  apart,  running  each  way.  A  few  are  found  to  wind 
about  to  reach  the  most  avaihible  ground,  and  some  are  yet  but  lit- 
tle more  than  the  woodman's  trail  through  certain  timbered  por- 
tions of  the  county;  but  in  the  main  the  roads  are  regularly  on  sec- 
tion lines.  In  quality  tiie  roads  of  the  county  are  poor.  The  soil 
is  especially  adapted  to  the  retention  of  water,  and  mud  places  an 
embargo  on  traffic  for  several  months  in  the  year.  The  cost  of 
bridiiC's  in  the  countv  is  not  large  when  the  number  of  streams  is 
considered.  The  Fox  recjuires  four,  one  of  which  is  upwards  of  a 
hundred  feet  long-.  There  are  some  dozen  bridges,  over  thirty  feet 
long,  in  the  county,  and  all  are  constructed  of  wood  and  uncovered* 

The  settlement  of  the  country'  and  the  increased  amount  of  labor 


644  IIISTOIIY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

expended  on  the  highways  has  greatly  improved  them   over  wliat 
they  were  tliirty  years  ago,  but  the  scarcity  of  good,  road-niaking 
material  has  obliged  the   Road  Supervisors  to  resort  to  corduro}- 
plan.     Small  poles  are  cut  and  laid  closely  together  across  the  track. 
These  become  bedded  and  are  not  so  rough  as  a  stranger  to  them 
would  suppose,  and  they  have  the  merit  of  keeping  the  vehicle  on 
the  surface.     In  1850,  a  plank  road  was  talked  of,  and  the  County 
Court  passed  the  foUowing  resolution  on  the  subject:     "  ^yhereas, 
by  an  act  of  the  General  Assemby  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  entitled. 
'an  act  to  provide  for  the  construction  of  plank  roads',  by  general 
law,  approved  February  12,  1849,  it  is  provided  that  the  Comity 
Court  may  agree  to  the  use  of  any  public  highway  in  the  county  by 
any  plank  road  company  for  the  construction  of  a  plank  road;  and 
Whereas,  it  is  represented  to  this  court  that  steps  have  been  taken 
for  the  formation  of  a  plank  road  company  to  construct  such  roads 
in  this  county,  and  it  is  probable  that  such  companies  when  formed 
will  be  desirous  of  using  some  of  the  public  highways;  therefore. 
Resolved,  that  deeming  it  of  impoitance  to  the  county  to  encourage 
internal  improvements  by  private  enterprise  of  whatever  character, 
and  especially  the  con8truction  of  plank  roads,  and  that  every  aid 
should  be  extended  by  the  County  Court  within  its  jurisdiction,  and 
without  involving  the  county  in  debt  for  the  success  of  the  improve- 
ments whereby  the  property  of  the  county,  real  or  personal,  will  be 
greatly   enhanced    in   value,  and  the  county  revenue  consequently 
increased,  the  industry  and  enterprise  of  our  people  stimulated  to  new 
life,  their  condition  ])ettered    and   the    markets   and  goods'  prices 
brought  nearer  home  by  the  aid  of  these  roads,  emigration  to  the 
county  encouraged,  and  the  discontent  of  our  present    p()i)ulation 
allayed,   this  court,   therefore,   cheerfully  invites  the  enter[)rise  on 
foot,  and  hereby  cheerfully  tenders  to  them  the  use  of  any  public 
road  within  the  county,  over  which  this  court  has  any  jurisdiction, 
for  the  construction  of  plank  roads  in  accordance  with  the  act  above 
named."     It  was  further  provided,  that  M'ritten   i)ermission  would 
be  given  when  a  formal   re([uest  was  made.     This  action  was  jiub- 
lished  in   all  the  papers  near  at  hand,  and  the  county  assumed  the 
intense  attitude  of  "  Barkis  is    willin',"  but  no  one  ever  came  for- 
ward to  claim  any  rights  under  this  pro)mm;iainiento-     It  is  quite 
probable  that  something  might  have  been  accomplished  in  this  way 
had  not  the  subject  of  railroads  been  agitated  very  soon  after  this, 
and  a  road  actually  located  through  the  county. 


HISTORY    OF    RICilLAXD    COUNTY.  G45 

RAILKOADS. 

The  <reneral  improvcniciit  system  of  the  State  in  1837,  included 
the  building  of  sundry  railroads,  but  with  a  short  sighted  view  the 
system  contemplated  the  improvement  of  State  cities  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  foreign  towns.     The  natural  laws  of  trade,  however,  were 
not  to  be  trammeled  by  sucli  prejudices,  and  several  roads  were  pro- 
jected to  cross  the  State  from  East  to  West  and  to  terminate  in 
Saint    Louis.       Among   these    was    the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Rail- 
road.    The  application  of  this  company  for  a  charter  was  stoutly 
resisted  and  several  times  defeated.     In  June,  of  1849,  a  railroad 
convention  was  held  at  Salem,  to  take  into  consideration  the  griev- 
ances of  the  people  in  the  counties  to  be   benefited  by  its  construc- 
tion, and  at  least  four  thousand  earnest  men  assembled,  over  a  thou- 
sand of  whom  were  delegates.   Judge  Kitchell  and  othei-s  represented 
Richland    County.      An  address    was    adopted,    and   a  conunittee 
appointed  to  present  it  to  the  Governor.     A  special  session  of  the 
legislature  was  called,  and  after  strong  opposition,  a  charter  was 
granted,  in  1851.     The  larger  part  of  the  capital  invested  was  from 
the  East,  though  Page,  of  Saint  Louis,  was  an  important  member  of 
the  syndicate  and  a  heavy  loser  in  the  final  construction  of  it.     Li 
1852,  the  line  was  located  and  the  County  Court  proposed  to  submit 
to  the  voters  of  the  county  the  proposition  of  subscribing  $50,000  to 
the  capital  stock  of  the  company  on  several  conditions,  viz.:     "  1. 
No   bonds    to  l)e  issued   to   the   company   until   the   company    has 
expended  in  the  construction  of  the  road  in  the  county  an  amount 
of  money  equal  to  the  amount  of  bonds  asked  to  be  issued.     2.     The 
county  not  to  issue  more  than  one  third  of  the  amount  of  subscrip- 
tion each  year.     3.     The  railroad  company  to  issue  to  said  county 
stock  ecpial  in  amount  to  the  bonds  issued,  said  company  to  pay  to 
the  county  six  percent  interest  on  said  stock,  to  be  paid  half  yearly. 
4.     The  rate  of  fixation  for  county  purposes  is  not  to  be  increased 
for  the  purpose  of  paying  interest  on  said   bonds,  and  the  County 
Court  is  not  to  issue  any  bonds  to  said  company  if  any  higher  rate 
of  tax  than  is  now  assessed  for  county  puqjoses  should   be  required 
to  pay  the  interest  on   the  county  bonds.     5.     The  County  Court 
shall  have  authority  to  make  any  arrangements  they  may  think 
proper  and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  county  with  either  the  rail- 
road company  or  individuals,  for  the  payment  of  the  county  bonds, 
and  the  interest,  or  either,  without   using  any  funds  or  revenues  of 
the  county,  and  in  doing  so,  said  County  Court  may  dispose  of  the 
railroad  stock,  but   nevcn-  at  less  than  par  value,  and  only  so  as  to 


646  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

save  the  county  from  all  loss."     Such  "  ironclad  "  conditions   are 
rarely  accepted  by  railroad  corporations  and  these  were  promptly 
rejected  and  were  never  submitted  to  the  people  for  acceptance.     In 
October,  however,  a  proposition  was  made  to  subscribe  $50,000  of 
stock  to  the  road,  the  bonds  of  the  county  to  run  thirty  years  at 
seven  per  cent.,  to  be  expended  only  on  the  construction  of  the  road 
in  the  county,  and  the  company  to  pay  six  per  cent,   interest  upon, 
the  stock  or  such  other  rate  in  lieu  of  cash,  as  might  be  agreed  upon. 
This  was  ratified  bj^  the  people,  on   December  6,  1852.     The  road 
was  rapidly  ])ushed  through,  the  line  passing  just  south  of  Olney. 
Judge  Kitchell  was  a  director  of  the  road  at  that  time,  and  he  offered 
to  the  contractors  a  one-half  interest  in  his  first  and  second  additions 
to  the  city  and  $3,000  in  cash,  if  the  line  was  deflected  north  suffi- 
cient to  pass  through  this  'property.     This  arrangement  was  made 
and  the  variation  begins  at  Claremont  village  and  ends  just  west  of 
Noble.     The  road  was  completed  from  Vincennes  to  Saint  Louis,  in 
1855,  the  first  through  train   passing  through  Olney  on  the  -Ith  of 
July,  in  that  year.     This  road  was  a  valuable  acquisition,  but  the 
course  of  the  company's  practice  has  been  of  the  most  arl)itraryand 
tyrannical.    For  years  it  was  the  only  outlet  for  the  county's  product, 
and  the  company  did  not  hesitate  placing  a  tariff"  that  almost  shut 
the  business  men  in  from  the  markets  of  the  country.     After  rail- 
roads reached  Vincennes  from  other  points  the  dealers  were  in  the 
habit  of  using  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  to  that  point,  and  thence  east- 
ward on  other  lines.     At  first,  this  road  refused  to  deliver  freight  to 
competing  lines,  and  then  raised  the   local  tariff"  to  such   an   exorbi- 
tant rate  as  to  force  the  shipper  to  submit  to  the  high  through  rates, 
but  this  was  met  by  the  other  lines  by  a  reduction  of  their  rate  in 
proportion  to  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi's  raise.     The  people  became 
clamorous  for  another  road  to  compete  with  the  "O.  &  M.,"  and  car 
rates  to  New  York  dropi)ed  from  $80  to  $40  at  once.     The  manage- 
ment of  this  road  in  Richland  County  has  been  marked  by  a  grossly 
tyrannical  and  arbitrary  s[)irit,  and  its  whole  course  in  the    matter 
of  locating  its  line  and  doing  l)usiness  throughout  the  State  has  been 
such  as  to  justify  the  bitterest  opposition.     The  county  paid  nothing 
toward  its  construction,  however,  which  may  be  a  small  solace  to 
their  feelings.     There  was  such  a  demand  for  the  stock  that  the 
company  did  not  need  the  assistance  of  the  county  in  disposing  of 
it,  and  so  no  call  was  male  for  the  bonds  subscribed.     The  road 
passes  from  east  to  west  through  the  county,  crossing  the  townships 
of  Claremont,  Olney  and  Noble. 


IIISTOKY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  647 

Peoria,  Decatur  &  BuansvtUe  Railroad. — About  the  time  of  the 
completion  of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Rtiilroacl.  a  new  road  was  pro- 
jected from  ^lattoou  to  Grayvillo,  on  the  Wabash  River.  A  char- 
ter was  not  secm-ed,  however,  until  February  6,  1857,  and  up  to 
187G,  little  more  than  the  preliminary  surveys  had  been  accomplished. 
A  part  of  the  orio^inal  })lan  was  to  secure  an  outlet  through  Indiana,, 
and  the  Mount  Vernon  &  Grayville  Railroad  C(mipahy  was  the 
name  under  which  this  part  of  the  road  was  incorporated.  To  the 
construction  of  this  road  the  terminal  county  had  voted  a  large  sub- 
scription, which  was  subsequently  diverted  to  the  building  of  a  new 
court  house.  The  first  spike  had  been  driven  on  this  division  of  the 
road  in  the  early  part  of  1871,  and  some  five  miles  constructed  and 
ironed,  l)ut  the  action  of  the  people  with  regard  to  the  subscription 
caused  the  work  to  be  discontinued  there.  In  March,  1872,  the  two 
companies  Averc  consolidated  imder  the  name  of  the  Chicago  &  Illi- 
nois Southern  Railroad  Company,  and  about  the  same  time  this  new 
organization  was  consolidated  with  the  Decatur,  Sullivan  &  Mat- 
toon  Company,  Avhich  had  been  formed  under  a  charter  obbiined 
in  1871.  With  all  this  activity  in  the  transfer  of  franchises  and 
change  of  names  but  little  or  no  progress  was  made  toward  the 
realization  of  the  desire  of  the  people.  From  time  to  time  many 
flattering  sttitements  and  satisfactory  promises  were  made.  In 
1874,  finding  that  the  last  consolidation  had  so  involved  this  part  of 
the  road  with  the  other  [parties  to  the  consolidation  as  to  probably 
defeat  the  construction  of  the  line,  proceedings  were  brought  in  the 
Jasper  County  Court,  and  thence  to  the  Federal  Court,  to  annul  the 
consolidation,  and  on  May  5,  1876,  suoha  decree  was  granted.  Work 
was  at  once  begun  on  this  middle  section  of  the  Grayville  &  Mat- 
toon  Railroad,  and  thirty  of  the  ninety-three  miles  proposed  were 
jrraded  in  this  vear.  In  the  followin"-  year  the  road  reached  Mat- 
toon,  and  the  whole  line  completed  from  Grayville  to  the  proposed 
northern  terminus. 

The  people  of  Richland  County  were  very  much  interested  in 
the  building  of  this  road,  and  as  early  as  1857,  appropriated  $250 
to  pay  for  the  preliminary  survey  through  the  county,  but  this  not 
being  used,  $300  was  appropriated  in  May,  of  1866,  and  subsequently 
the  county  voted  $150,000  to  aid  its  construction.  In  1868,  $50,000 
more  was  voted  fortius  purpose,  making  a  total  sum  of  $200,000  which 
thecounty  proposed  to  invest  in  the  cai)ital  stock  of  the  company.  It 
IS  not  necessar}^  to  rehearse  the  record  on  this  point;  the  conditions  were 
much  easier  than  those  proposed  to  the  "O.  &  M."road,  as  the  people 


648  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

having-  kid  experience  with  "  Kinf^  Stork,"  desired  a  quick  relief.  It 
was  provided,  however,  that  the  subscription  shoukl  be  paid  only  as  the 
road  was  built  through  the  county.  The  distance  through  the  county 
was  divided  into  four  parts,  and  when  one  part  was  finished  and  laid 
with  iron  of  a  certain  Aveight,  then  the  proportional  part  of  the 
subscription  was  to  be  paid  in  bonds  of  the  county  as  agreed  ui)on. 
One  of  the  prime  considerations  in  the  minds  of  the  people  in  voting 
for  the  subscription,  and  especially  so  large  an  amount,  was  to  secure 
its  early  completion  and  thus  free  them  from  the  grasp  of  the  rail- 
road monopoly  which  existed.  In  1871,  tired  of  the  delays,  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  the 
whole  matter  and  report  to  the  Board.  In  November,  this  commit- 
tee reported  as  follows:  "  It  is  no  discourtesy  to  those  gentlemen  to 
say  that  their  information  was  meagre  and  unsatisfactory  in  the 
extreme  to  both  them  and  us,  and  the  conduct  of  the  contract- 
ors compelled  your  committee  to  the  conviction  that  the  Board  of 
your  county  had  been  pledged  to  parties  whose  responsibility  was 
wholly  uncertain,  from  whom  no  sufficient  guarantees  have  been 
received  and  upon  whose  pleasure  alone  depended  the  timely  com- 
l^letion  of  the  road."  It  was  further  estimated  that  owing  to  the 
decline  in  prices  the  subscription  of  the  county  was  sufficient  to  build 
twice  the  distance  required,  and  it  was  recommended  that  action 
be  taken  in  reference  to  the  prevention  of  issuing  and  paying  any 
bonds  to  the  road.  The  Board  took  prompt  action  upon  this  report 
and  formally  voted  to  rescind  the  subscription. 

It  is  iin})ossible  to  scrutinize  the  action  of  the  county's  executive 
Board  in  this  matter  without  indulging  in  the  suspicion  that  there 
was  a  lamentable  lack  of  wisdom.  The  Board  was  constantly  in 
that  attitude  of  "vowing  they  would  ne'er  consent,  consented." 
As  early  as  1868,  committees  had  been  appointed  to  inspect  the 
road,  and  another  to  sisfu  and  issue  bonds,  and  in  1870,  an  agent 
had  been  ap[)ointed  to  vote  with  the  directors  of  the  road.  After 
rescinding  the  subscription  these  officials  would  of  course  be  voted 
out  of  being,  but  in  June,  1872,  the  Board  is  found  formally  assent- 
ing to  the  consolidation.  In  April,  of  1875,  the  nuittcr  of  with- 
drawing from  the  subscription  to  the  road,  was  submitted  to  the 
people,  and  aid  to  the  road  ,was  witlidrawn  by  700  majority.  In 
June,  1875,  the  Board,  with  strange  inconsistency,  ordered  blank 
bonds  prepared,  as  one  division  of  the  road  was  nearing  com})letion, 
though  it  was  provided  that  they  should  not  be  issued  until  the 
committee  of  inspection  should  report.     In  the  following  January 


HISTORY    OF    HIGHLAND   COUNTY.  649 

the  Boartl  gave  notice  that  the  county  wouhl  issue  no  bonds  to  the 
road  until  obliged  to  do  so  by  the  court  of  last  resort,  whereupon 
they  were  sued  in  the  Lawrence  County  C'ourt,  defeated,  and  refused 
to  appeal  it.  The  second  division  was  tinished  September,  187G,  the 
third  division  in  the  spring  of  1877,  and  the  fourth  in  the  following 
June.  For  the  first  three  divisions  after  the  decision  of  the  court, 
the  bonds  were  issued  without  ]n-otest.  On  receipt  of  notice  of  the 
completion  of  the  fourth  and  last  division  of  the  road  in  the  county, 
the  Board  examined  the  road  and  passed  the  following  order:  "  The 
Board  of  Supervisors,  as  a  committee,  having  inspected  the  fourth  and 
last  division, through  the  county,  of  the  Grayville  &  Mattoon  Riilroad 
report  the  same  constructed  as  per  contract  and  provisions  of  the  vote 
tor  stock  subscribed  and  recommend  the  issuing  and  delivery  to  the 
Grayville  &  Mattoon  Railroad  Company  the  $50,000  worth  of  county 
bonds  as  provided  heretofore  in  said  vote,"  etc.  This  report  swept 
away  the  last  leg  that  resittance  had  to  stand  on,  and  yet  at  the  next 
meeting,  September  11, 1877,  the  Board  declared,  "  AVhereas,  the  $50,- 
000  of  Richland  County  bonds  issued  for  capital  stock  of  the  Grayville 
&  Mattoon  Railroad  were  illegally  procured,  the  same  being  obtained 
through  fraud  and  misrepresentation,"  therefore,  the  vote  taken  at 
the  last  meeting  be  rescinded,  etc.  Lithe  following  January,  fearing, 
doubtless,  that  this  last  named  action  did  not  cover  the  Avhole 
ground,  the  Board  attempted  to  wash  their  hands  of  the  whole  mat- 
ter by  another  sweeping  fulmination,  as  follows:  "Be  it  ordered 
by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Richland  County,  that  this  Board 
rescind  all  orders  heretofore  made  authorizing  the  issuing  of  bonds 
to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  Grayville  &  Mattoon  Railroad,  if 
any  such  order  has  heretofore  been  made;  and  they  hereby  repu- 
diate any  action  of  any  officer  of  said  county  who  has  received  the 
stock  of  said  railroad  in  payment  for  said  bonds,  if  any  such  stock 
has  been  heretofore  issued  l)ysaid  railroad  to  said  county,  and  it  was 
further  declared  that  the  county  disowned  all  stock  and  disclaimed 
all  privileges  under  any  of  these  repudiated  transactions.  An  agree- 
ment was  at  once  entered  into  by  the  Board  with  Messrs.  Wilson  and 
Hutchinson,  attorneys,  to  fight  the  payment  of  the  bonds  issued,  prin- 
cipal and  interest.  It  should  be  said  in  this  connection,  that  from 
first  to  last  there  has  been  great  changes  in  the  membershi])  of  the 
Board,  and  that  the  presumption  of  dishonest  dealing  on  the  part 
of  certain  of  those  who  have  been  members,  is  so  strong  that 
expatriation  has  been  deemed  necessary.  Every  device  has  been 
resorted  to  in  order  to  avoid  the  payment  of  the  bonis,  and  the  matter 


<550  HISTORY   OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

has  finally  been  adjudicated  in  the  United  States  Supreme  Court.  In 
October,  1883,  the  committee  appointed  to  take  this  matter  in 
charge,  report  the  result  of  the  contest  through  the  papers  as  fol- 
lows: 

« In  view  of  the  tact  that  the  people  of  Richland  County  will 
sooner  or  later  be  compelled  to  make  arrangements  to  pay  oflf  some 
of  the  railroad  bonds,  and  are  now  on  the  point  of  being  compelled 
by  the  courts  to  pay  certain  judgments  rendered  for  accrued  inter- 
est on  these  bonds,  we  take  this  method  of  addressing  our  people, 
and  impressing  upon  them  the  necessity  of  using  their  best  judgment 
as  to  what  is  best  to  bo  done  in  the  premises.  AVe  will  state  as 
briefly  as  possible  the  history  of  the  litigation  of  these  bonds. 

"  George  W.  Ballon  &  Co.,  after  about  three  years  of  litigation, 
obtained  a  judgment  against  the  county,  which  was  finally  affirmed 
in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  There  were  three  other 
suits  against  our  county  in  court  at  the  same  time.  These  were 
brought  by  J.  I.  Case,  Joseph  Curtis  and  the  Bank  of  jSIontreal.  To 
save  the  costs  of  taking  all  of  these  cases  to  the  court  of  last  resort, 
it  was  agreed  by  our  attorneys  (Wilson  &  Hutchinson)  that  the  Bal- 
lon case  alone  should  be  taken  up,  and  that  the  others  should  abide 
the  decision  in  that  case.  The  consequence  is,  that  final  judgments 
Avere  rendered  against  us  in  these  four  cases,  amounting  to  about 
$19,200.  These  are  absolutely  final,  and  further  litigation  concern- 
ing these  cannot  be  had.  Since  that  time  other  interest  coupons 
have  become  due,  and  within  the  last  month  final  judgments  have 
been  rendered  against  us  in  the  Circuit  Court,  in  favor  of  George  W. 
Ballou,  for  about  $29,000,  and  six  other  cases  in  fiivor  of  J.  L  Case, 
James  Curtis,  John  F.  Zebley,  Thomas  B.  Slaughter  and  the  Bank  of 
Montreal.  These  judgments  aggregate,  including  Ballou's  new  judg- 
ment, about  $60,000.  The  interest  now  due  on  all  these  bonds  amounts 
to  a  little  over  $11 7,000.  And  these  judgments  are  all  for  portions  of 
that  interest.  All  the  coupons  are  for  $35  each,  and  bear  six  per 
cent,  interest  after  due. 

"In  July  last,  a  suit  was  commenced  against  the  county  in  the 
name  of  the  United  States  of  America,  on  complaint  of  Ballou,  to 
compel  the  levy  and  collection  of  a  tax  to  pay  Ballou's  first  judg- 
ment, and  a  i)eremptory  writ  of  mandmmis  was  awarded  in  that  case. 
Three  other  mandamus  suits  were  commenced  on  petition  of  the 
other  creditors,  with  the  same  result.  They  did  not  get  service  on 
these  writs  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  And  now  a  new  mayida- 
mus  case  has  just  been  commenced  to  compel  the  Board  to  meet  and 


HISTORY   OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY.  651 

extend  a  tax  to  pay  Ballou's  new  judoment  of  $29,000,  and  a  writ  of 
injunction  has  been  issued  and  served  on  the  County  Clerk,  restrain 
inof  him  from  turnin2:  over  the  tax  books  till  the  further  order  of  the 
court.     This  means  that  he  must  hold  the  tax  books  until  this  tax  is 
extended  on  the  books. 

"  From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  affairs  of  the  county 
are  becomini^  very  complicated.  And  the  Board  of  Supervisors  left 
it  with  the  Judiciary  Committee  to  appoint  an  ao-ent  to  go  in  person 
and  consult  as  many  of  the  bondholders  as  could  be  found,  and  ascer- 
tain upon  what  basis,  if  any,  a  compromise  could  be  effected;  and 
after  a  few  weeks  of  neo-otiation,  most  of  the  bondholders  aofreed  to 
meet  a  connnittee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  confer  as  to  the 
matter.  The  Board  appointed  the  undersii^fned  for  that  purpose, 
and  on  the  4th  inst.,  that  meetinii^  took  place  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

"D.  T.  Littler  and  J.  C  Robinson,  who  represent  about  $177,800 
of  the  bonds  in  question,  were  present,  and  after  ascertaining-  the  very 
lowest  figures  that  would  be  accepted,  the  committee  agreed  to  it,  on 
behalf  ot  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  subject  to  a  vote  of  the  people 
of  the  county.  These  first  judgments  for  accrued  interest  amounts 
to  about  $19,000. 

"  The  $19,000  of  Supreme  Court  judgments  must  be  paid  in  full, 
as  no  concession  could  be  obtained  as  to  them.  As  to  the  balance  of 
the  debt,  they  agreed  to  accept  refunded  six  percent,  coupon  bonds, 
for  the  face  of  the  old  bonds,  which  they  now  hold,  payable  in 
twenty  years,  or  all  or  any  part  of  them  after  a  lapse  of  five  years; 
the  new  bonds  to  bear  interest  after  January  1, 1884.  The  interest 
to  be  payable  July  1st  of  each  year,  commencing  July  1,  1885.  This 
will  saveto  the  county  nearly  $100,000,  and  stop  the  accumulation  of 
costs,  the  payment  of  ^vhich  would  otherwise  be  a  large  Jimount. 

"  The  Board  has  been  called  together  for  next  Monday,  October 
15,  and  will,  no  doubt,  order  an  election  to  vote  on  refunding  the 
bonds  upon  the  above  terms." 

The  action  of  the  Board  has  the  endorsement  of  the  majority 
of  the  people,  and  the  opinion  of  the  leading  men  is  that  Richland 
County  can  afford  to  pay  these  bonds  for  the  benefit  that  has  been 
derived  from  the  railroad.  The  present  title  of  the  company  is 
derived  through  a  purchase  of  the  road.  The  Pekin,  Lincoln  and 
Decatur  Raihva}^  Company,  was  organized  under  a  charter  granted 
in  1870,  and  the  road  opened  from  Pekin  to  Decatur,  67.9  miles  in 
November,  1871,  by  its  original  ownere.  Li  the  following  year  it 
was   leased   to  the  Toledo,  Wabash  and   Western,  by  which  it  was 


052  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAXD    COUNTi'. 

operated  until  August,  187G,when  it  was  sold  under  foreclosure  side- 
The  road  Avas  subsequently  extended  from  Pekin  to  Peoria,  a  dis- 
tance of  9.2  miles,  and  opened  for  traffic,  March,  1878.  This  com- 
pany then  purchased  the  Decatur,  Sullivan  and  Mattoon,  and  the 
Grayville  and  Mattoon  railroads,  and  in  1880,  reorganized  with  an 
Indiana  organization  under  the  name  of  Peoria,  Decatur  and  Evans- 
ville  Railroad.  The  southern  terminus  was  changed  from  Mount 
•  Vernon  to  Evansville,  and  that  division  pushed  to  completion  in 
June  of  the  following  year.  The  road  from  Mattoon  to  Grayville 
was  in  poor  condition  when  sold,  and  so  much  poor  work  had  been 
done,  that  the  line  needed  and  gradually  received  almost  an  entire 
reconstruction. 

DanviUe,  Olney  and  Ohio  River  llailroad. — This  road  was  pro- 
jected as  a  narrow  gauge  railroad,  and  the  company  was  organized 
under  a  charter  obtained  March  10,  18G9.  The  route  proposed  for 
this  road,  proceeded  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio  River  in  Mas- 
sac County,  III.,  "  thence  northwardly  to  the  city  of  Chicago,  or 
such  place  from  which  an  entrance  may  be  effected  by  construc- 
tion or  connection,  and  the  line  of  railway  to  be  located  on  such  sur- 
vey as  may  come  within  the  range  and  purview  of  the  charter  of 
the  company,  about  340  miles."  Work  was  l^egun  on  the  northern 
end  of  the  road  and  pushed  south  from  Kansas  toward  Olney.  The 
work  met  with  a  good  deal  of  delay.  In  1876,  there  was  but  eight 
miles  of  road  from  Westfield  to  Kansas,  and  in  1878,  this  section  of 
the  road  was  put  in  operation.  The  further  construction  of  the  road 
made  slow  progress,  reaching  only  some  thirteen  miles  in  the  fol- 
lowing year.  In  1881,  there  was  a  revival  of  the  work  and  some 
fifty-seven  miles  completed.  In  the  following  year  the  gauge  was 
changed  to  the  standard  width,  and  the  road  completed  to  Olney. 
This  road  passes  through  the  townships  of  Preston  and  Olney,  and 
runs  parallel  a  few  yards  distant  from  the  P.,  D.  &  E.  Railroad  in 
this  county.  Af  Sidell,  in  Edgar  County,  this  road  roaches  and  uses 
the  Grai)e  Creek  Railroad  to  Danville,  where  it  forms  close  con- 
nections with  the  Chicago  and  Eastern  Illinois  Railroad.  Ricldand 
County  was^hardly  in  a  mood  to  give  much  aid  to  railroads  at  this 
time,  but  the  city  gave  the  right  of  way  through  the  corporation 
and  by  private  subscription  fifteen  acres  were  purchased  and  given 
for  its  use.  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  thc^  road  will  soon 
be  further  extended  north  and  south  of  the  present  termini,  l)ut 
there  is  at'prescnt  little  activity  in  this  direction. 

The  three  railroads  now  possessed  by  the  county  does  not  so  far 


I 

I 


* 


HISTOin'    OF    IirCHLyVND   COUN'n'.  655 

satisfy  tho  people  as  to  pvetlude  their  taking-  interest  in  new  rail- 
road enterprises.     It  is  rather  the  city  of  Olney  which   takes   the 
lead   in    new   enterprises  of  this  character,  and  in  a  way  that  in- 
volves as  limited  an  outlay  of  money  as  possible.     At  this  writing, 
October,  1883,  the  projected  railroad  from  Terre  Haute  t^)the  south- 
west, is  before  the  public.     The  termini  of  this  road  will  be  at  Terre 
Haute  and   either  Chester  or  Grand  Tower.     It  there  connects  with 
the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad,  which  runs  throui^h  Pilot  Knob  and 
Iron    Mountain.     Terre  Haute  has  a  number  of  foundries,  rollins: 
mills,  and  machine  shops;  also  has  access  to  those  valuable  Brazil 
coal  fields,  situated  about  thirteen  miles  from  that  city.     This  road, 
with  either  Chester  or  Grand  Tower  as  a  southern  terminus,  will  put 
Terre    Haute   in   direct   communication    with   those  immense   iron 
resources  of  southeastern  Missouri,  besides  traversing-  one  of  the  finest 
agricultural    regions   in   southern    Illinois.     A  hasty  survey  of  the 
route  on  a  map,  it  appears  that  by  crossing  the  Wabash  River  at  Dar- 
win, and  passing  through  Oblong  and  Embarrassville,  and  there 
crossing  the  Embarrass   River,  that  not  only  would  the  road  avoid 
crossing  a  creek,   ver}^  appropriately  named  Crooked  Creek,  many 
times,  but  a  much  better  crossing  could  here  be  obtained  than  at  any 
other  point,  thus  making  a  cheaper  and  more  convenient  route  than 
an}'  other  line  would  afford.     From  this  point  it  would   enter  the 
wealthy  and  prosperous  county  of  Richland,  passing  through  Olney, 
our  beautiful  and  flourishing  county-seat,  thence  southwest  toward 
the  Mississippi  River  at  Grand  Tower.     Should  the  city  be  so  fortu- 
nate  as   to   secure   this   road,  it  would  receive  a  fresh  impetus,  be 
greatly  l^enefited,  and  its  future  as  a  railroad  center  assured.     As 
this  road  can  hope  for  no  voted  subsidies  under  the  present  law,  its 
demands  must  be  limited  to,  and,  if   met  at  all,  met  by  private  sub- 
scription. 

A  short  time  since  the  Vice  President  of  the  Terre  Haute  & 
Southwestern  Railway  Company  addressed  a  letter  to  Judge  F.  D. 
Preston  stating  that  there  Avould  be  a  meeting  held  by  the  Board  of 
Directors  at  Xewton,  on  the  17th  inst.,  at  which  time  the  location  of 
the  Southern  Division  of  that  road  would  be  determined.  A  cordial 
invitation  was  extended  to  citizens  to  be  present  and  to  express  their 
wishes  and  advocate  the  interests  of  Richland  Ccmnty.  In  response 
to  this  invitation  a  delegation  of  citizens,  consisting  of  Mayor  David 
Scott,  Hon.  E.  S.  Wilson,  S.  D.  Burns,  John  Wolfe,  Hon.  Dr.  E. 
Rowland,  Hon.  Henry  Studer,  F.  T.  Phillips,  J.  M.  Wilson,  city 
attorney;  James  I.  Richey,  ex-sheriff;  F.  P.  Gillespie,  coimty  treas- 

40 


656  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

urer;  G.  D.  Slauker,  ex-mayor,  T.  A.  Fritchey,  and  lion.  Aaron 
Shaw,  member  of  Congress,  went  to  Newton  to  attend  this  meet- 
ing, fortified  by  the  following  petition,  which  was  signed  by  nearly 
a  hundred  prominent  business  men  and  tax  payers  of  the  city: 

"  That  whereas,  there  will  be  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors of  the  Terre  Haute  and  Southwestern  Railway  Company  held 
at  Newton,  Illinois,  on  the  17th  day  of  October,  A.  D.,  ]8<So,  at  which 
meeting  the  question  of  the  location  of  the  Southern  Division  will 
be  settled.  And  whereas,  the  Vice-President  of  said  T.  H.  &  S.  W. 
R.  R.  Company  have  extended  an  invitation  to  the  citizens  of  Olney 
to  be  present,  and  give  expression  as  to  whether  they  are  interested 
in  this  enterprise,  and  are  desirous  of  securing  the  location  of  the 
road  through  Olney.  We,  therefore,. the  undersigned  citizens,  tax- 
payers, and  business  men,  of  the  city  of  Olney,  Illinois,  authorize 
and  instruct  those  representing  us  at  said  meeting  to  express  our 
feelings  of  interest  in  the  proposed  project,  and  to  encourage  and 
use  all  reasonable  means  to  secure  the  building  of  said  railroad 
through  the  city  of  Olney." 

Press  and  Politics. — The  educating  influence  of  the  newspaper 
was  not  added  until  1849.  There  was  very  little  call  for  one,  before 
or  even  then,  so  far  as  the  business  demand  was  concerned,  but  it  is 
the  mission  of  the  journalist  to  create  a  demand  where  none  exists, 
and  it  was  in  the  fulfillment  of  this  part  of  the  mission  that  the 
first  newspaper  was  brought  to  Olney.  Politics,  while,  perhaps,  a 
less  importtmt  element  in  society  than  now,  was  still  one  that  forced 
itself  upon  the  consideration  of  the  adventuring  newspaper  man,  and 
it  is  significant  of  the  chtiracter  of  the  community  that  this  i)ioneer 
journal  was  an  "  Independent  "  paper.  The  early  political  sentiment 
in  Richland,  was  not  as  unanimous  as  in  many  sections  of  southern 
Illinois.  With  the  Southern  Whig  and  Democratic  elements  which 
came  from  the  Southern  States,  came  also  an  element  of  Whigs 
from  the  Eistcrn  States,  and  the  early  sentiment  was  probably  pretty 
well  balanced.  After  the  introduction  of  the  newspaper,  however, 
it  was  not  long  before  it  took  a  strong  Democratic  tone,  and  l);'eamo 
bitterly  partisan.  About  18')2,  the  question  of  securing  a  railroad 
seemed  to  absorb  all  the  interests,  and  politics  was  in  a  dormant  state 
until  about  the  presidential  campaign  of  185!).  The  Republican  party 
had  been  making  its  way  here,  though  some  of  its  strength  came 
from  unexpecte  1  (|uart;;rs.  A  p:ip3r  was  started  to  represent  its 
principles  and  the  war  of  words  grew  bitter  between  the  rival  organs. 
In  the  Senatorial  c.impaign,  1858,  the  Republican  paper  found  a  new 


HISTORY    OF   UICIILAND   COUNTY.  657 

competitor  in  the  field,  in  behalf  of  the  Democratic  principles,  and 
the  okl  war  of  words  was  revived.  The  events  of  1800  wroucrht 
some  marvelons  chanires.  Earnest  Whigs  became  bitterly  opposed 
to  the  administration  in  power,  while  prominent  Democrats  became 
earnest  support(!rs  of  the  war  measures.  Dnriiii^  tlie  war,  however, 
the  "  Union  "  sentiment  was  in  the  ascendancy,  thonoi-h  political  lines 
were  strictly  maintaini'd  and  the  Democratic  [)arty  was  successful  in 
the  election  of  county  officials.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  the  opposi- 
tion has  gradually  gained  strength  so  that  at  this  period,  and  up  to 
the  present,  popular  men  of  Republican  politics  have  been  repeat- 
edly elected  to  various  offices.  Rc^gularly,  however,  the  county  of 
Richland  is  considered  as  Democratic  by  a  small  majority. 

THE    PRESS. 

The  first  newspaper  was  established  here  in  1849,  by  Daniel  Cox. 
This  was  called  the  Olney  News,  and  was  edited  by  Judge  Kitchell.^, 
Though  nominally  an  Independent  paper,  the  editor  was  always  in 
sympathy  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  the  paper  from  the  first 
had  a  tendency  in  that  way.     In  the  following  year,  John  M.  Wil- 
son br^came  part  owner,  the  name  of  the  paper  changed  to  the  Olney 
Ii(-publican,  and  its  support  given  boldly  to  the  Democratic  princi- 
ples in  politics.     Soon  after,  Mr.  Wilson   became  sole  proprietor, 
and  continued  it  until  about  18")2,  when  he  removed  the  office  and 
material  to  Salem  ;  its  [jublication  was  continued  under  the  name  of 
Salem  Gazette.     Disap[)ointed  in  his  expectation  of  seeing  the   two 
great  lines,  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois  Central  cross  in 
that  town,  he  sold  his  paper  and  returned  to  Olney.     In  the  mesin- 
time,  John  Buntin   had  brought  a  paper  here  from  Lawrenceville, 
and  published  it  as  the  Olney  Banner,  in  the  interest  of  the  Whigs. 
This  Avas  but  a  few  weeks  after  the  removal  of  the  Itf'pnblican.     Mr- 
Wilson  returned  about  1852  or  185H,  revived  the  nameof  the  7]?'"^?/6- 
lican,  and  in  a  short  time  bought  the  Banner.     The  consolidated 
papers  were  then  published  for  several  years  as  a  Democratic  organ. 
This  was   the   only  paper  in  the  county  until  the  spring  of  185(5, 
when  William  M.  Beck  established  the  Olney  Journal.     This  was  in 
the  beginning  of  the  Buchanan  campaign,  and  the  Journal  repre- 
sented the  R  'publican  principles.     Mr.  Beck  subsccjuently  purchased 
the  Rppuhlican  of  Mr.  Wilson,  and  thus  combine  1,  his  paper  repre- 
sented  all    the  journiilistic   ventures    in    the  county.     Until    1858 
this   was   the  only   paper   in    the   county.     At    the  death  of  Mr. 
Beck,   his   son,  James,  assumed  control  in   company  with  Dr.  Eli 


H58  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Bowver.  A  number  of  chansres  occurred  in  the  business  manage- 
ment  of  this  paper,  until  in  1872  it  was  sold  to  H,  H.  Lusk,  and  the 
name  changed  to  Ohie^^  Ledger.  Under  this  regime  the  paper 
assumed  the  proportions  of  a  laroe  sized  quarto,  and  continued  three 
or  four  years  when  I.  A.  Powell  bought  it,  changed  the  name  to 
Olney  Neivs,  and  in  1881,  sold  it  to]  the  firm  of  T.  A.  Fritchey  & 
Co.  This  change  brought  the  name  back  to  the  Olney  Repuhlican, 
the  second  step  in  the  round  of  old  names.  This  Olney  Repuhlican 
is  thus  the  legitimate  successor  of  the  original  iiapci-  published  in 
Richland  County.  It  is  an  eight-column  folio,  with  co-operative 
inside  pages,  and  is  a  lively  Republican  paper  with  a  constituency 
that  numbers  more  tlian  one-half  of  the  newspaper  subscribers  in 
the  count}'.  In  August,' 1858,  James  Wright  established  the  Olney 
WeeMy  Presn,  and  supported  the  i^rinciples  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  conducted  the  paper  until  June  1,  1860,  when  he  sold  it  to  R.  F. 
Steiger  and  J.  H.  Graham.  The  paper  soon  passed  into  the  hands 
of  y^.  D.  Mumford  who  added  a  part  ot  the  material  of  a  confis- 
cated office  in  Arkansas.  In  1864,  the  office  was  broken  up  by  a  mob 
of  soldiers,  Avhose  enmity  the  paper  had  gained  by  some  radical 
language,  when  its  publication  was  discontinued.  Soon  after, 
F.  C  Carel  began  the  publication  of  the  Olney  Democrat,  which 
was  sold  to  E.  B.  Barnard,  and  the  name  changed  to  the  Olnej^ 
Weekly  Times.  The  Times,  on  the  death  of  Barnard,  was  sold  by 
his  executors  to  W.  F.  Beck,  in  April,  1882,  and  is  still  published 
under  the  same  title  by  Mr.  Beck.  This  paper  is  the  organ  of  the 
dominant  party  in  politics'  There  are  but  these  two  papers  in  the 
county,  and  political  interests  are  so  di\ided  tliat  each  has  a  good, 
living  patronage,  and  can  do  itself  and  the  ])ublic  justice. 

THE  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  taught  in  Richland  County  was  taught  in  an 
old  log  building  erected  for  a  tavern,  on  the  old  "  trace  road,"  two 
miles  west  of  Olne}^,  in  what  is  now  Olney  Township,  in  1822 
and  1823,  by  John  I.  Chauncey.  The  schoolroom  was  partitioned 
ofl*  from  one  end  of  the  tavern,  and  was  furnished  with  shili  seats, 
and  board  desks.  Uncle  Elijah  Nelson  attended  that  sciiool  for  four 
days.  This  first  teacher  of  Richland  County,  John  L_Cliauncey, 
died  at  the  home  of  Elijah  Nelson,  in  the  spring  of  1824;  his  was  the 
first  death  within  the  limits  of  what  is  now  OUiey  Township.  After 
his  death  the  question  arose  as  to  M'hat  they  siiould  do  for  a  casket : 
at  that  time  there  were  no  saw-mills  in  the  conntrv.     John  Evins 


HISTOKY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  »)5y 

had  just  erected  a  cabin  in  what  is  now  Noble  Township,  of  Richland 
County,  in  which  he  had  laid  a  very  nice  puncheon  floor.  It  was 
projiosod  to  take  sonic  puncheons  out  of  the  floor  of  this  cabin  with 
which  to  construct  the  cortin.  The  suo^aei^tion  was  acted  ui)on,  and 
John  E\  ins,  John  Jeffries,  John  Mathews,  John  Nelson,  and  Elijah 
Nelson  constructed  the  coffin.  Thus,  in  a  rude  casket  made  of  slabs, 
was  one  of  the  first  teachers  ot  Kicliland  County,  III.,  consigned  to 
his  last  home.  In  1841,  there  were  four  schools  held  in  the  county — 
one  at  Fairview,  one  in  the  Baptist  Church  near  old  Claremont,  one 
in  the  Richard  Phili[)s  neighborhood,  four  miles  north  of  Olney,  and 
the  other  at  the  Morehouse  Schoolhouse,  two  miles  east  of  Olney. 
These  were  all  subscription  schools,  the  State  fund  being  so  meagre 
that  the  people  refused  to  organize  luider  the  school  law.  On  the 
[)latting  of  Olney,  Mrs.  Powers  became  a  resident  of  the  village  and 
opened  her  house  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  school.  It  would  be 
diflBcult  in  any  case  to  trace  the  growth  of  the  common  schools  from 
this  small  beginning  to  the  present  advancement.  In  1S()(),  Judge 
Kitchell  having  donated  the  groimd,  a  public  school  ])uil(ling  was 
erected  in  Olney,  and  occupied  the  tollowing  year.  This  structure 
is  an  object  of  pride  to  every  citizen  and  is  well  worthy  of  their 
admiration.  It  originally  contained  twelve  rooms,  and  with  the 
furnitin*e  cost  over  $33,000.  It  has  since  been  enlarged  by  the 
addition  of  two  rooms,  and  the  number  ot  children  to  be  accommo- 
dated is  rapidly  outgrowing  its  capacity.  The  average  of  the  county 
schools  is  not  of  the  highest.  The  county  has  been  unfortunate  in 
some  of  its  County  Superintendents,  aivd  the  policy  of  the  P>oard  of 
Supervisors  has  never  been*of  the  most  progressive  character.  No 
time  is  allowed  for  visiting  schools,  but  when  it  becomes  necessary 
to  adjudicate  some  difficulty,  then  the  Superintendent  is  allowed  for 
this  extra  service.  There  are  no  reports  preserved  in  the  office,  save 
for  1883,  which  renders  it  impossible  to  compile  the  statistics  set- 
ting forth  the  development  of  the  school  interests.  For  the  last 
school  year  the  report  places  the  numl>er  of  persons  of  school  age 
in  the  county,  at  5,455;  the  whole  number  enrolled,  4,574;  the  num- 
ber of  graded  schools  are  four,  one  each  at  Olney,  Noble,  Clare- 
mont, and  Parkersburg  ;  there  are  in  addition,  seventy-eight 
ungraded  schools.  Of  the  eighty-two  schoolhouses  in  use,  five  are 
brick,  seventy-five  are  frame,  and  two  are  log  structures.  Four  dis- 
tricts have  libraries  valued  at  an  aggregjite  value  of  $483.  The  total 
value  of  school  property  in  the  county  is  $84,935;  the  Olney  prop- 
erty alone  being  estimated  at  S40,000.     The  entire  apparatus  of  the 


660  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

county  is  put  down  at  Sl,5")9.  The  average  monthly  wages  of  male 
teachers  is  $35.95;  of  female  teachers,  ^24.49.  The  amount  of  dis- 
trict tax  to  support  schools  is  §21,30().50;  $G,40l)  of  this  l^eing  raised 
in  Ohiey.  There  is  a  bonded  school  debt  of  $4,102.  The  total 
receipts  for  the  year  were  $47,0^3-79;  total  expenditures,  $33,025.54, 
of  which  $21,975.34  was  paid  to  teachei*s. 

THE    CHURCHEiS. 

It  is  characteristic  of  the  settlement  of  Richland  County  that 
the  church  influences  early  made  their  way  here.  The  earliest 
denomination  was  the  Ba])tist,  of  what  is  popularly  termed  the 
"Hard-shell"  variety.  They  built  the  first  place  of  worship  in 
the  count}^  as  early  as  1822.  This  was  a  log  structure  called 
"Antioch"  and  situated  five  miles  east  of  Olney  on  the  "trace 
road."  This  served  for  school  purposes  as  well  as  a  place  for 
worship  and  attracted  the  devout  for  miles  about  on  preaching  days. 
William  Martin,  of  Kentucky,  was  the  preacher  usually  in  attend- 
ance here.  The  second  church  building  was  erected  soon  after  the 
first  by  the  same  denomination.  Its  site  was  on  the  J^ox  Prairie, 
two  miles  southwest  of  the  present  village  of  Fransonia.  This  was 
known  as  the  "  Union  "  Church  and  was  served  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Rob- 
erts. A  few  years  later,  "Shiloh"  Church  was  erected  five  miles 
west  of  Olney  on  Andrew  Evans'  property  on  the  "  trace  road." 
This  was  a  log  structure  and  was  built  by  the  Baptists,  Champion 
Maden  being  the  earliest  minister  here.  During  the  early  histoiy 
of  the  church  inHuence,  the  Baptists  were  the  largely  predominating 
denomination,  and  some  of  the  leading  early  preachers  were  fre- 
quently here.  Among  these  may  be  noted  such  men  as  Richard  M. 
Newport,  Richard  Gardner,  Benjamin  Coates,  Joel  Humes,  Jerry  Hol- 
combc,  and  Charles  Whiting.  The  Methodists  were  but  little  later 
m  the  field.  The  first  church  edifice  of  this  denomination  was  not 
erected  imtil  1842,  but  their  itinerants  were  found  throughout  the 
countv  much  earlier.  Amon<i-  them  was  the  famous  Lorenzo  Dow, 
who  was  here  in  1820,  and  again  in  1830.  He  was  remarkable  for 
the  force  and  rude  eUxjuence  of  his  sermons  and  the  eccentricity  of 
his  manners.  Elijah  Nelson  relates  an  incident  of  his  [)reaching  at 
"Antioch"  Church,  September  2,  1830.  A  large  number  had  gath- 
ered to  hear  him.  Arriving  at  the  spot,  he  gravely  went  to  the 
door  of  the  buihling,  and  giving  several  distinct  raps,  repeated  in  a 
solemn  tone  the  passage  of  Scripture:  "Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  ()()! 

and  knock,  if  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come 
in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me."  Seating  himself 
a  moment  after  in  the  door,  he  boj^an  an  affecting  and  powerful  dis- 
course from  the  text:  "  Jacob  have  I  loved,  but  Esau  have  I  hated." 
The  Christian  Church,  then  known  popularly  as  *'  New  Lights," 
were  somewhat  numerous,  though  at  an  early  date  there  were  no 
houses  of  worship  erected  by  this  sect  nearer  than  Spring  Hill,  in 
Lawrence  County. 

The  first  house  of  worship  built  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  the  log  structure  in  Oluey,  used  for  awhile  in  a  triple 
capacity — as  schoolhouse,  court  house,  and  place  of  worship.  The 
first  society  was  organized  in  November,  1841,  by  William  Cummins, 
of  Mount  Carmel  circuit,  Illinois  Conference.  The  persons  composing 
this  primitive  church  Avere:  W.  PI.  Roed  and  wife,  B.  S.  Tlirapp  and 
wife,  Mrs.  E.  Jay,  and  J.  Notestine.  Judge.  R.  B.  Marney  and  wife 
joined  soon  after  the  organization.  Of  these  original  members,  only 
Mr.  Notestine  survives.  The  society  has  been  prosperous,  and  now 
occupies  a  fine  brick  structure  erected  in  1854  and  1855,  at  a  cost  of 
$2,800.  This  denomination  is  the  most  numerous  in  the  county, 
having  some  sixteen  places  of  worship,  and  several  appointments  not 
provided  with  church  edifices.  At  Olney,  there  are  representative 
churches  of  ten  denominations,  nine  baside  the  Methodist,  all  of 
which  have  sister  churches  in  the  country  about.  These  are  the 
Baptist,  Moravian,  Lutheran,  Congregational;  Presbyterian,  Ger- 
man Evangelical,  Roman  Catholic,  German  R-iformed,  and  Christian. 
The  first  does  not  have  the  large  numbers  in  the  county  that  it  once 
had,  but  it  is  represented  by  several  organizations.  The  same  is 
true  of  the  present  status  of  the  Moravians,  Lutheran,  and  German 
Evangelical  churches.  The  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  churches 
were  origin-ally  together,  but  divided  on  doctrinal  questions.  They 
represent  the  greater  strength  of  their  respective  denominations'  in 
the  county.  The  Catholic  Church  has  a  sister  organization  on  Grand 
Prairie,  where  a  church  edifice  was  built  in  1844.  The  Christian 
denomination,  though  latest  represented  in  the  county-seat,  has  a 
growing  strength  in  the  county,  and  is  represented  b}""  several  vigor- 
ous congregations.  In  the  county-seat  of  the  ten  organizations, 
but  one  has  a  regular  pastor  and  services,  at  the  present  writing. 
With  several,  this  is  accidental,  but  too  many  seem  to  have  efiected 
an  organization  without  countins:  the  cost. 

The  German  population  gave  rise  to  a  number  of  church  organ- 
izations peculiar  to  this  nationality-     Of  these  the  earliest  was  the 


QQ2  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Evaufrelk'al  Association,  for  a  sketch  of  wliich  this  vohniie  is  m- 
debted  to  the  kindness  of  liev.  Schleuehev,  as  follows: 

Evangelical  Association.— In  the  year  of  1842,  this  part  of  the 
country  was  for  the  first  time  visited  by  a  preacher  of  the  Evangelical 
Association,  in  the  person  of  Christoph  Augenstein,  sent  by  the  Ohio 
Conference.  He  preached  in  the  houses,  but  the  outlook  was  not  very 
encouraging.  In  the  year  1843,  the  Illinois  Conference  took  up  a  mis- 
sion, embracing  the  counties  of  Wabash,  Clark,  Owen  and  Richland. 
Christ  Lindner  and  Nickolai  were  sent  as  missionaries.  This  year  Mr. 
Henry  Zwahlen  was  converted  and  joined  the  church.  In  1844,  A. 
Nickolai  and  G.  G.  Platz  were  sent  by  the  Conference,  and  their  effort 
was  crowned  with  success.  In  1845,  the  above  Mission  was  divided' 
in  Dubois  and  ]\Iount  Carmel.  Philip  Prech,  was  sent  to  Mount 
Carmel,  to  Avhich  Ricldand  County  belongs,  where  he  had  good  suc- 
cess on  the  Grand  Prairie,  six  miles  north  of  Olney;  a  few  families 
were  converted  who  organized  themselves  into  a  class  and  chose  H. 
Zwahlen  as  their  class-leader.  The  names  of  the  original  members 
were:  H.  Zwahlen  and  wife,  P.  P.  Bauer,  George  Yelch  and  wife, 
W.  Ameter  and  wife,  Fred.  Launer,  A.  Bushany,  G.  P.  Zimmerly 
and  wife,  J.  Staely.  In  1846,  G.  Mueller  and  J.  Trometer  were 
sent  pastors  to  work  on  the  Mission.  In  1847,  1848, 1849  and  18.50, 
Christ  Glaus,  Samuel  Dickover  and  H.  Ragaty  were  the  missiona- 
ries sent  by  the  Conference,  during  these  years,  in  which  the  mem- 
bership  was  steadily  grownig. 

In  the  year  1850,  the  first  church  was  built,  six  miles  northeast 
of  Olney,  and  called  the  Grand  Prairie  Church.  In  1853,  the  Indi- 
ana Conference  was  organized,  which  Conference  took  Grand  Prairie 
up  as  a  Mission,  andsent  Rev.  P.  Burgner  as  missionary.  This  year 
there  w^as  another  class  organized  in  the  town  of  Olney,  with  P.  P. 
Bauer  as  its  leader.  There  was  also  a  church  built  in  the  town  of 
Olney,  32x45— cost  $700.  From  1854  to  1873,  the  Revs.  B. 
Ruh,  Joseph  Fisher,  J.  Fuchs,  J.  M.  Kronmueller,  Charles  Wess- 
ling,  C.  C.  Kohlmeier,  W.  Wesseler,  G.  Shmall,  H.  L.  Fisher, 
Job  Berger,  Christ  Glaus,  J.  M.  Kronmueller  and  J.  Kaufman, 
were  pastors.  Rev.  J.  Kaufman  being  three  years  on  the  Mission,, 
and  in  his  three  years  Olney  was  made  a  Station.  In  1873-75,  Rev. 
C.  Tramer  was  sent  by  the  Conference  to  Olney  Station,  and  labored 
with  good  success;  1875-78,  W.  G.  Braeckly  was  sent  ])y  the  Con- 
ference to  Olney  Station,  who  also  worked  with  good  success,  and' 
under  his  charge  the  new  church  was  built — a  fine  In-ick  building 
45x7.5— cost    $9,000;   1878-79,   Rev.  M.    Speck,   was  sent  on    the 


HISTORY    OF    KICIILAND    COUNTY.  665 

Station;  1879-81,  Rev.  A.  C-  Youu,i>'  was  pastor  in  charge  of  the 
Olney  Station;  1881-84,  Rev.  H.  Schlencher  was  sent  by  the  Confer- 
ence. The  present  membership  numbers  190.  The  Grand  Prairie  class 
is  still  served  from  the  pastor  of  the  Olney  Station  and  the  local 
preacher;  its  membership  being  twenty-five.  Olney  Station  has  a 
Smiday-school  scholarshii)  enrolled  of  about  2()()  scholars. 

Church  of  Christ. — There  are  ten  congregations  of  this  denom- 
ination in  Richland  County.  Two  are  in  Madison  Township,  at 
Parkersburg  and  Fairview,  each  of  which  has  a  membership  of 
about  seventy-five  persons.  In  Decker  Township  there  are  congrega- 
tions at  Fransonia  and  Green  Hill,  Avith  a  membership  of  about  fifty 
each.  In  Noble  Township  there  is  one,  at  "  Brushville,"  with  a 
membership  of  about  100  members  under  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Rev.  H.  ]M.  Sanderson.  In  Denver  Township  there  are  two,  with  a 
membershi[)  of  about  100.  There  is  also  one  in  German  Town- 
ship, "  Prairie  Hall,"  which  Lhas  a  i  membership  of  upwards  of 
100;  one  in  Claremont  Township,  "Eureka,"  witli  110  mem- 
bers, and  one  in  Bonpas  Township,  "  Shiloh,"  having  a  membership 
of  100,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  F.  M.  Sheik.  The  church 
at  Olney  was  organized  in  the  year  1867,  by  W.  B.  F.  Treat,  with 
thirty  members.  The  congregation  met  in  the  court  house  as  they 
had  no  place  of  worship  of  their  own,  until  a])out  1874,  when  they 
secured  a  hall.  In  1878,  the  church  purchased  a  small  frame  build- 
ing and  fitted  it  up  at  a  total  cost  of  about  $1,200.  The  pastors  succeed- 
ing Mr.  Treat  have  been  Revs.  Erastus  Lathrop,  G.  W.  Morrell,  J. 
F.  James,  and  John  ^Mavity.  The  church  has  been  Avithout  a  regular 
pastor  occasionally,  and  has  enjoyed  the  services  of  a  large  number 
of  ministers  who  were  not  reguUirly  employed.  The  membership 
now  reaches  to  the  number  of  125  persons.  Of  the  other  churches 
no  reliable  data  can  be  given.  The  Baptist  denomination  number 
some  seven  or  eight  congregations  in  the  county,  and  the  ]Moravian, 
two  oroanizations. 

St.  PauVs  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — As  tar  as  is  known^ 
Rev.  Seacrist  was  the  first  Lutheran  minister  who  preached  the  gos- 
pel to  the  scattered  Lutherans  in  Richhmd  County,  111.  Rev.  Daniel 
Scherer  succeeded  Rev.  Seacrist,  and  labored  faithfully  among  the 
people,  preaching  the  gospel  and]  administering  the  sacraments, 
his  field,  however,  being  so  large,  he  called  his  son  Jacob  from  Get- 
tysburg to  his  assistance.  He  preached  several  years  in  the  log 
church,  in  the  Schlichenmyer  neighborhood,  and  various  other  places 
Rev.    C.    Kuhl    succeeded  the   Scherers,    and    organized  the  Saint 


f 


664  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Paul's  in  1851-52,  two  miles  southwest  of  Oluey;  he  labored  but  a 
few  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Hunderdasse,  who  remained 
but  six  months  or  a  year.  Rsv.  Swaney  was  the  next  Lutheran  min- 
ister who  supplied  the  Saint  Paul's  with  the  preaching  of  the  gos- 
pel for  a  year  or  two.  Rev.  George  H.  Schnur  became  his  successor 
in  1861-62,  and  continued  pastor  for  several  years,  when  he  resigned. 
The  congregation  next  invited  Rev.  J.  M.  Hurkey,  from  Mount  Car- 
mel,  to  preach  for  them  as  a  supply  until  they  could  obtain  a  regu- 
lar pastor.  In  the  month  of  October,  1869,  in  obedience  to  a  regu- 
lar call,  Rev.  J.  M.  Hurkey  became  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
remained  so  until  the  fall  of  1874.  During  the  pastorship  of  J.  M. 
Hurkey,  the  Saint  Paul's  resolved  to  change  the  place  of  worship 
from  Schlichenmyer  Schoolhouse,  to  the  city  of  Olney.  On  the  23d 
day  of  September,  1873,  the  Saint  -Paul's  laid  the  corner-stone  of 
their  house  of  worship,  according  to  the  ceremonies  of  the  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  Church.  The  building  is  a  brick  36x65  in  size,  and 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $4,500. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Long,  succeeded  Rev.  J.  M.  Hurkey,  in  the  spring  of 
1875;  Rev.  J.  P.  Schnur,  succeeded  Rev.  J.  M.  Long  in  the  fall  of 
1876;  Rev.  E.  A.  Best,  succeeded  Rev.  J.  P.  Schnur  in  the  spring  of 
1878;  Rev.  E.  Schwartz,  present  pastor,  succeeded  Rev.  E.  A.  Best 
in  the  spring  of  1.S83. 

The  original  membership  was  as  follows: 

Males. — John  Schlichenmyer,  Jacob  F.  Schlichenmyer,  Chris- 
tian Schlichenmyer,  George  Steffy,  William  Schaffer,  Philip  Steffy, 
Fredrick  E.  Schonart,  Lorenzo  Krippner,  Franklin  Krippner,  Henry 
Steffy,  Jacob  Schlichenmyer,  Daniel  Schlichenmyer,  Daniel  Ktiltrei- 
der,  Gottlieb  Heintzelmann,  Henry  Krippner,  John  Sager,  George 
Kaltreider. 

Females. — Sarah  Schlichenmyer,  Catharine  Schlichenmyer,  Mary 
Schlichenmyer,  Eveline  Steffy,  Susanna  Kaltreider,  Sarah  Steffy, 
Catharine  Mempel,  Fredrica  Schonart,  Elizabeth  Krippner,  Lydia 
Kaltreider,  Catharine  Heintzelmann,  Esther  A.  Sager,  Catharine 
Schaffer.     The  present  mem])ership  is  seventy. 

Sai,nt  PmiVs  EvangeUcal  Lutheran  Church  of  Preston. — The 
Rev.  G.  H.  Schnur  had  been  preaching  for  some  time  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  present  Saint  Paul's  Church,  but  without  any  organ- 
ization. In  the  spring  of  1869,  Rev.  J.  M.  Single  accepted  a  call 
from  the  Claremont  Pastorate  and  commenced  preaching  at  this 
point.  On  October  30,  1869,  he  organized  the  Saint  Paul's 
Evangelical    Lutheran     Church,  with    the    following  eleven   mem- 


I 


HISTOKY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  665 

bers,  viz.:  John  Zirkel,  Levi  Kesler,  G.  W.  Dozer,  Socrates  Dozer, 
Henry  Stunir,  Nancy  Zirkel,  M:iry  Kesler,  Eliza  A.  Dozer,  George 
Stanir,  Elizabeth  Stanij  and  Catharine  Stanij.  The  Rev.  J.  M.  Sin- 
o-le  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  Friday,  who  served  the  congregation 
from  February,  1871,  to  April,  1872.  Rev.  W.  Friday  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  A.  Leathers,  who  took  charge  of  the  congregation  in  the 
fall  of  1873.  The  next  minister  in  charge  of  this  church  was  Rev. 
J.  p.  Schnur.  He  commenced  his  services  on  the  10th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1876.  Rev.  J.  P.  Schnur  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  A.  Best,  who 
took  charge  of  this  congregation,  in  connection  with  Olney,  in  the 
spring  of  1878,  and  served  them  until  the  spring  of  1883,  when  Rev. 
E.  Schwartz,  the  present  pastor,  took  charge  of  the  congregation. 
The  present  membership  of  the  congregation  is  fifty-four.  The  first 
officers  of  the  church  were  Levi  Kesler,  elder,  and  George  W.  Dozer, 
deacon.  They  were  also  the  first  trustees.  A  Sunday-school,  not 
very  large,  but  in  good  running  order,  is  kept  up  during  the  whole 
year.  The  church  house  in  which  the  congregation  worships  is  a 
frame  building,  and  was  erected  in  the  year  1871,  and  cost  about 
11,100. 

Salem  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church — This  church  was  organized 
in  1843,  by  Rev.  Sechrist  as  pastor.  The  first  edifice  was  erected  in  the 
same  year  in  what  is  now  Olney  Township.  There  were  forty-one  orig- 
inal members.  The  second  edifice  was  erected  in  1862,  in  Claremont 
Township,  and  the  name  changed  to  Saint  James  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church.  It  now  has  149  members.  The  following  have  been 
pastors:  Revs.  D.  Scheror,  J.  Scherer,  C.  Kuhl,  C-  Hundcrdasse,  D. 
D.  Swuney,  G.  H.  Schnur,  J.  M.  Hurkey,  C.  L.  Luner,  and  J.  Hursh, 
present  incumbent. 

German  Reformed  Cliurclt. — The  German  Reformed  Church  at 
Olney  was  established  and  erectt^l  b}^  a  few  fimilies,  about  ten  in 
number,  and  mostly  all  of  Swiss  emigration.  At  a  meeting  on  the 
24th  of  June,  1860,  the  congregation  organized  itself,  and  the  fol- 
lowing members  were  elected  as  trustees  to  manage  and  facilitate 
the  building  of  the  present  church:  John  Von  Guntcn,  Christian 
Bohren,  J.  J.  Feutz,  John  Schilt  and  Jacob  Miller.  Operations  were 
immediately  commenced  by  the  said  trustees;  the  building  site — 
about  one  acre  of  ground,  worth  $300 — was  deeded  bv  Mr.  T.  W. 
Lilley,  gratis,  and  the  church  was  erected  during  the  same  year, 
1860,  at  a  cost  of  $2,00t).  A  few  years  after,  a  fine  bell,  the  best  in 
Olney,  was  put  in  the  cui)ola  at  a  cost  of  $325.  In  1874,  the  par- 
sonage, near  the  church,  was  Ijuilt  by  the  congregation  at  a  cost  of 


66^^ 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY 


$l,20l);  the  best  i)ar.sonag-e  in  Oliiey.  The  first  imstov  was  Rev.  (Jr. 
F.  Laiiner,  an  ordained  theologian  from  Switzerhmd.  In  1874,  the 
conofregation,  through  the  management  of  its  pastor,  Rev.  Fr.  Judt^ 
an  old  graduate  of  Basel,  Switzerland,  associated  itself  with  the  Grer- 
man  Reformed  Synod  of  America.  The  present  membership  amounts 
to  about  sixty,  and  its  present  pastor  is   Rev.  Eiclien. 

The  German  Reformed  Church  at  Grand  Prairie. — This 
church  was  established  by  about  twenty  families,  mostly  all  of  Swiss 
emigration.  In  the  same  settlement  there  were  livino"  a  number  of 
families  known  as  Lutherans,  and  the  two  branches.  Reformed  and 
Lutherans,  were  supporting  together  one  church  and  one  pastor  in 
common,  for  a  number  of  years,  but  matters  did  not  work  all  right 
together;  the  Lutherans  being  too  orthodox  for  the  liberal  minded 
Reformed,  and  they  separated.  At  a  meeting  then  held  by  the  Re- 
formed members  on  the  5th  day  of  February,  1852,  a  resolution  was 
unanimously  adopted  to  establish  and  form  a  church  of  their  own. 
A  few  of  the  prominent  members  then,  such  as  Peter  Ingzi,  Chris- 
tian Ingzi,  Christian  Sterchi,  Henry  Sterchi,  John  Jacob  Hauck, 
Philip  J.  Zimmerleand  others,  now  all  dead,  took  the  matter  in  hand 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  of  twenty-four  and  a  half  acres  for  a  build- 
ing site,  and  the  present  church  was  then  erected  at  a  cost  of  $800. 
In  1876  or  1877,  a  very  handsome  parsonage  was  also  erected  near 
the  church;  the  first  pastor,  Rev.  G.  F.  Laimer,  a  theological  grad- 
uate of  Berne,  Switzerland.  In  1874,  the  conoreoation  associated 
itself  with  the  German  Reformed  Synod  of  America,  through  the 
management  of  Rev.  Fr.  Judt,  a  graduate  of  the  Basel  Missionary 
Society,  Switzerland,  of  many  years  ago.  The  present  membershiiv 
is  large,  amounting  to  about  100,  and  its  pastor  is  Rev.  Kiper. 

Olney  Presbyterian  Church. — This  church  was  organized  Janu- 
ary 8,  1858,  by  a  committee  of  the  Palestine  Presbytery,  with  these 
members:  Mrs.  Mary  Knight,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Darling,  Mrs.  Mary 
McClurc,  Mrs.  Milla  Burrell,  Mrs.  Rebecca  A.  Wilson,  Mrs.  Harriet 
N.  Crozier,  John  Boyd,  James  Crozier,  Mrs.  Jan(^  Wilson,  John 
Henderson,  Mrs.  Jane  Henderson,  Miss  Mary  A.  Henderson.  Elders 
of  the  church,  since  chosen:  George  W.  Cone,  D.  Mar<piis,  David 
Smith,  John  L.  Campbell,  James  W.  Beck,  Horace  Hayward,  Will 
iam  H.  Wallace,  L.  M.  Parker,  E.  Bowyer,  J.  C.  Allen,  J.  H.  Mor- 
gan, John  Horner,  J.  P.  Wilson.  Ministers,  since  the  organization: 
John  Crozier,  H.  E.  Thomas,  A.  H.  Sloat,  Solomon  Cook,  R.  J.  L. 
Mathews,  John  Stuart. 

The  church  building  is  a  neat  frame  structure,  erected  m  18«)0r 


HISTORY    OP^    RICHLAND    COUNTY-  667 

at  a  cost  of  aliout  $3,000.  A  parsonage  was  built  in  1864,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $1,500.  The  chiu'ch  and  parsonage  are  on  the  same  lot. 
The  church  is  out  of  debt  and  has  a  membership  of  a  little  over  one 
hundred.  In  the  history  of  this  chiu'ch  the  Rev.  John  Crozier  is 
entitled  to  special  mention,  as  he  Avas  really  the  founder  of  the  church 
and  has  done  more  since  to  build  up  its  interests  than  any  other  one 
num.  On  account  of  the  health  of  his  family  he  has  recently  removed 
to  Minnesota. 

First  Congregational  Church. — This  church  was  organized  in 
June,  1873,  by  Rev.  Rol)ert  West,  of  Alton,  111..  Avith  a  membership 
of  twenty-six  persons.  The  first  pastor  was  Re\'.  EdAvard  Anderson, 
of  Boston,  Mass.  The  first  officials  of  the  church  Avere  G.  W.  Frit- 
chey  and  Prof.  David  Edmiston,  deacons;  Horace  HoAvard,  president, 
AndrcAv  Darling,  J.  M.  Wilson,  Gary  Gaddis  (Robert  Byers,  secre- 
tary), trustees;  Mrs.  ]M.  V.  Byers,  treasurer;  Mrs.  Sarah  Edmiston, 
clerk;  David  Edmiston,  Sunday-school  superintendent.  The  pres- 
ent church  edifice,  a  handsome  structure  in  the  Gothic  style  and  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  city  or  county,  was  erected  in  1875,  at  a  cost  of 
$8,000.  The  church  has  a  membership  of  about  sixty  persons  and  is 
in  a  flourishing  condition.     The  pastor  is  the  Rev.  D.  C.  McNair. 

Roman  Catholic  Church. — The  Catholic  Church  is  represented 
in  Richland  County  by  two  congregations,  one  at  StringtoAvn,  Ger- 
man Township,  and  the  other  at  Olney.  The  first,  as  noted  above, 
was  organized  in  1844  as  an  ofl'-shoot  of  the  church  in  Saint 
Marie,  in  Jasi)cr  County.  It  is  served  by  the  officiating  priest  at 
Olney,  and  is  in  a  vii>(n-ous  condition.  A  Catholic  school  was  orsran- 
ized  and  a]building  for  this  purpose  erected  in  1IS79,  ata  cost  of  about 
$300.  The  mcmliership  is  composed  entirely  of  Germans,  and  num- 
bers about  fifty  families. 

Saint  Jo.<<eph\'<  Catholic  Church  of  Olney. — This  church  was 
organized  about  1855.  Before  the  erection  of  their  present  place  of 
worship,  in  1859  or  1860,  mass  Avas  celebrated  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
McDonnell.  The  Redemi)tionist  Fathers  have  a  mission  here,  and 
a  school.      The  membership  numbers  about  forty-five  families. 

SECRET    ORGANIZATIONS. 

The  Masons. — The  Masonic  Fraternity  is  the  mo^t  important 
of  these  societies  in  Richland  County,  and  is  represented  by  Olnej'^ 
Lodge,  No.  140,  Noble  Lodge,  No.  362,  Parkersburg  Lodge,  No.  509, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  Richland  Chapter,  No.  38,  R.  A.  M.;  Olney  Council, 
No.  55,  R.  &  S.  M.,  and  Gorin  Commandery,  No.  14,  K.  T.     The  fol- 


668       /  HISTOEY    OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

lowing-  sketch  of  this  society  is  from  the  pen  of  G.  H.  B.  Tolle,  K.  T.^ 
thirty-two  degrees,  S.  P.  K.  S.:  As  in  almost  all  other  energetic  and 
progressing  communities  so  has  in  Richland  County  the  Fraternity  ot 
Free  andAccepted  Masons  taken  a  strong  foothold,  and  has,  in  the 
most  unmistakable  manner,  made  her  benefijiary  influence  felt.  She 
has  taken  into  her  folds  not  only  men  from  all  spheres  of  life  but  es- 
pecially have  the  most  prominent  and  influential  men  of  the  county 
been  closely  identifisd  with  the  institution,  and,  like  the  "Father  ot 
our  Country,"  prided  themselves  in  being  one  ot  the  mystic  tie,  thus 
gladly  assisting  in  the  faithful  but  unostentatious  discharge  of  the 
self  imposed  duties  of  Brotherly  Love,  Relief  and  Truth,  the  happy 
and  lasting  eflects  of  which,  upon  the  society,  the  scrutinizing  eye  of 
the  close  observer  of  social  and  private  life  can  not  fail  to  dis- 
cern nor  deny.  « 

On  the  24th  day  of  August,  1853,  Messrs.  E.  B.  Page,  H.  Clark, 
T.  M.  Hinman,  F.  D.  Preston,  S.  M.  Hinman,  Joseph  Yocom,  AVilliam 
Combs  and  Samuel  McClure  assembled  as  Masons,  and  after  due 
deliberation  concluded  to  and  did  petition  E.  B.  Ames,  Esq.,  Grand 
Master  of  Masons,  of  Illinois,  for  a  dispensation  to  form  and  open 
in  Olney  a  regular  Lodge   of  Masons,  which  prayer  was  promptly 
granted,  and  on  September   10,  1853,  Olney  Lodge,  U.  D.   (under 
dispensation),  A.  F.   &  A.   M.,  held  its  first  regular  meeting,  with 
E.  B.  Page  as  the  first  Worshi[)ful  Master,  and  F.  D.  Preston  as  the 
first    Secretiiry.     Many    Masons,  especially   from  Hutsoiiville,  111., 
where    the    nearest    lodge    was    then  located,   prominent   among 
whom    was    the    late    Hon.   Jesse    K.    Dubois,    well    known    as 
one   of    the   foremost  men    of  the  State,  actively    participated   in 
the   exercises.      Mr.    John   H.    Gunn,   the   well    known  dry  goods 
merchant  of  Olney,  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  recieve  Masonic 
light,  in  the  young  Lodge.     At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ot 
Masons  of  Illinois,  I.  S.  Anderson,   Grand  Mister,   held  October  2, 
1S54,  Olney  Lodge,  U.  D.,  as  a  reward  for  well  conducted  and  faith- 
fully performed  work,  was  duly  chartered  as  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  with  E.  B.  Page  as  Worthy  Master;  and  ever  since, 
Olney   Lodge   has   enjoyed   not   only   a    happy  existence  but  also 
the    honor   of    ranking   to-day   among   t\\i\    best   working    lodges 
in  the  State.     On  February  14,  1854,  for  the  first  time,  th(!  Masons  of 
Olney  were  called  upon  to  perforin  the  solemn  rites  of  burial  over 
the  remains  of  a  dejjarted  brother.    Mr.  John  McCollough,  the  fiither 
of  Mrs.  E.  J.  Hay  ward  and  Mr.   John  L.  McCollough,  of  Olney,  a 
member  of  Venus  Lodge,  No.  8,  located  at  Mansfield,  Ohio,  had  died 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  669 

at  his  residence  in  the  city  of  Ohiey.  Heavy,  indecLl,  has  the  hand 
of  death  rested  npon  the  members  of  the  order,  and  often  can  one  see 
the  mourners  go  about  the  streets.  Only  two  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers remain  among  the  living— Judge  T.  D.  Preston  ami  Dr.  Samuel 
McClure.  Yet  notwithstanding  tlie  ranks  are  rapidly  closin<y 
our  young  men  take  the  place  of  the  fallen  heroes.  Numbered  amon^ 
the  many  who  now  inhabit  the  silent  city  of  the  dead  are  Judo^e 
Horace  Hay  ward,  of  whom  it  may  bo  justly  said  that  he  was  by  £r 
the  best  posted  and  most  influential  Mason  in  this  section  of  the" 
State.  The  loss  which  the  craft  in  Olney  has  sustained  in  his  death 
is  almost  irreparable.  The  Rev.  S.  A.  Blair,  William  Cliff'e  and  G. 
W.  Eaton,  Col.  M.  O'Kean,  Maj.  J.  S.  Campbell,  for  many  years 
postmaster  in  Olney,  Jacob  Hotlman,  E.  B.  Page,  J.  P.  Cullen,  W. 
H.  Cobbs  and  Father  John  Knight,  who  served  for  over  twenty  years 
faithfully  as  Tyler  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  are,  with  many  others, 
resting  from  their  labors  here  on  earth. 

But,  notwithstanding  these  heavy  losses,  the  craft  o-rows 
stronger,  and  on  October  3,  1857,  Richland  Chapter,  No.  S8,\.  A. 
M.,  was  duly  chartered  by  E.  M.  Clark,  M.  E.  G.  H.  Priest  of  Illi- 
nois, and  this  move  was  followed  by  the  charter  of  Olney  Comman- 
dery,  No.  14,  K.T.,  dated  October  4, 18()5,  and  issued  by  N.  F.  Pren- 
tice, then  Grand  Comman  ler  of  Illinois.  The  Commandery  subse- 
quently changed  her  name  to  Gorin  Commandery,  No.  14,  K.  T.,  in 
honor  of  the  Hon.  Jerome  R.  Gorin,  Past  Grand  Commander,  a  most 
prominent  citizen  and  Mason  of  this  State  and  especially  of  the  city 
of  Decatur,  Avhere  he  still  resides. 

In  order  still  better  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  rapidly  growing 
fraternity  in  Ri<diland  County,  Maysville  Lodge,  No.  362,  lo^-ated  at 
Ingrnham,  Clay  County  (chartered  October  29,  1861),  was  moved  to 
the  town  of  Noble,  on  03tober  5,  1864,  continued  its  labors  under 
the  name  of  Noble  Latlge  362,  and  under  the  able  management  of 
the  late  Henry  Palmer,  for  many  years  its  Worshipful  Master,  it 
attained  to  the  well  merited  place  in  the  craft  and  which  it  contin- 
U(vs  to  occupy  un  ler  the  rule  of  D.ivid  Anderson,  Esq.,  its  present 
Master,  who  also  holds  the  responsible  position  of  Supervisor  of  the 
county.  All  this,  however,  was  not  yet  sufficient  to  accommodate 
the  members,  especially  in  the  south  and  southwest  part  of  the 
county.  Grand  Master  Gorin  granted  on  June  30,  1866,  a  charter 
to  Messrs.  Gsorge  Mason,  M.  L.  Howe,  J.  B.  Jolly,  and  others,  to 
form  and  open  Parkersburg  Lodge,  No.  509,  at  Parkersburg,  111. 
This  Lodge,  as  its  sisters  at  Olney  and  Noble,  is  in  a  very  prosperous 


4>70  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

<;on(lition:  and  in  order  to  have  tlio  American  rite  of  Freemasoiirv^ 
fully  represented  in  the  county,  a  council  of  Royal  'and  Selected 
Masters  was  organized  at  Olneyand  a  charter  granted  to  Thomas  R. 
Austin,  D.  D.,  and  others,  l)y  W.  H.  Levanway,  M.  P.  G.  ]M.,  on 
October  23,  1872,  thereby  giving  Olney  a  full  representation  of  all 
the  different  bodies  constituting  the  American  rite  of  Freemasonry. 
(The  members  being  strongly  imbued  with  the  principles  of  mutual 
relief,  are  also  largely  interested  in  Masonic  Mutual  Insurance,  rep- 
resented by  the  Illinois  Masons'  Benevolent  Society,  of  Princeton, 
111.,  and  especiall}' by  the  Masonic  Benevolent  Association  of  Central 
Illinois,  of  Mattoon,  with  G.  H.  B.  Tolle,  Esq.,  of  Olne}^,  as  their 
special  agent  for  Southern  Illinois  and  Indiana). 

Special  mention  deserves  the  splendid  and  substantial  building 
which  the  Masons  of  Olney  have  selected  for  their  home,  and  while 
it  is  surpassed  by  mauy  others  as  regards  Jthe  elegance  and  expense 
of  its  furniture,  yet  it  is  second  to  none  of  those  it  has  been  the  good 
fortune  of  the  writer  to  visit,  as  regards  adaptation  to  the  Avork,  and 
especially  as  regards  ventilation. 

The  building,  owned  by  Messrs.  Frank  Powers  and  Charles 
Schulz,  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  ]Main  and  Fair  streets. 

On  the  first  floor  are  two  storerooms  with  a  sixteen  feet  ceiling. 
The  second  floor  is  used  as  a  public  hall,  finely  finished,  well  ventilated, 
has  an  eighteen  feet  ceiling,  and  will  seat  5.50  persons  comfortably. 
Access  to  the  second  and  third  stories  is  gained  at  the  middle  of  the 
west  side  of  the  building  by  a  stairway,  the  steps  of  which  are  seven 
feet  wide.  The  third  stor}^  has  been  leased  b}-^  the  Gorin  Commandery, 
No.  14,  K.  T.,  for  a  term  of  twenty  years;  sub-let  to  Olney  Council, 
No.  55,  Richland  Chapter,  No.  3<S,  and  Olne}^  Lodge,  No.  140.  and  is 
divided  into  such  rooms  and  apartments  as  are  needed  for  a  full 
exemplification  of  all  the  degrees  conferred  by  the  above  named 
bodies. 

The  lodge-room  proper  is  40x40,  the  banquet  hall  30x25,  the 
hall  of  the  west  25x16,  the  parlor  15x15;  the  remaining  rooms  are 
of  proportionate  size,  and  all  ceilings  are  fifteen  feet  high.  The  bod}'' 
of  the  building  is  of  brick;  the  front  of  the  first  story  is  of  iron,  with 
four  magnificent  windows  twelve  feet  high.  The  second  and  third 
stories  are  of  pressed  brick  with  galvanized  iron  window  caps  and 
cornices.  The  height  of  the  l)uilding  from  the  ground  is  sixty 
feet.  The  structure  is  the  most  inqiosing  and  1)}^  far  the  most  sub- 
stantially built  one  in  the  city  of  Olney.  Nothing  has  been  spared 
to  make  it   stroni:-  and  duralih-,  and   for  ventilation,   it  is,  as  said 


Fn-«TOKV   OF    lUCHLAXD   tXtVSTY.  673 

before,  -econ*!  to  non^.  it  *»»  <?r€5CterJ  under  the  immefliat^  '■'  r- 
rigion  of  H-  M-  Hall,  E*^|.,  nnyttrxntuntV-.nt  of  haildin;;»  and  \,..  .^:^ 
of  the  O.  &  M-  Rfiilway.  Thecomf;r  stone  of  tljKf  hijiMin«r  wa»  laid 
with  the  proper  Ma^^jnie  ceremonifai^  by  Kev-  W.  IL  Scjott,  Most 
Worshipful  GraiKl  Master  of  >IaMiiiK,  on  tb«f;  fii^l  of  June,  lii>i(),  who, 
on  the  fvening^  of  the  !*eventh  of  February,  1>J^1,  fle«lK2ited  tbt  hall 
to  the  service  of  Freeniai*onr\%  with  the  iniprc*si%'e  and  solemn  ccr- 
emoniei^  of  the  craft,  in  the  preitenee  of  many  rliistin^Titsbed  IfaiKMui 
from  abroa/1  and  about  2.Vl  larli**  an'l  gentlemen  of  the  city. 

Tbe  mernber-hip  of  ther*  iK^^Jie?.  i»  apprriximately  as  follow*: 
Symbolic  Loljres-  11*0;  Capitular  Masonry,  ^5;  Cryptic-  HaAoniy,  37; 
Chivalric  ilasonrk",  120- 

77*/?  0<//7  FelhyrA^—RUMantl  Up\^.  Xo-  1^,  L  O-  O-  f .,  .^i 
Olncy,  HI.,  was  orjT'iniz'wl  by  Jamer'  E-  Starr.  G-  M-  July  27,  1>$55. 
Charter  memberi^:  William  Xewell-  George  W.  Leaf,  John  Bea^, 
Thomas  J.'Rusk,  Ge^jr^e  W.  Haynie.  Fir«t  officers:  William  Xewell, 
X'.  G.:  Thomas  J.  Ru-^k.  V^.  G-:  G-  W.  Haynie,  Secr^taiy;  Joim 
Bank,  Trea.surer.  Part  Xoble  GTand«»:  William  Xewell,  G-  W-  Hay- 
nie,  G.  W.  H'^p,  J-  Bmfcs  X.  Whitney,  6.  Byer*.  E-  Kitrrbel,  L  C 
Upton.  G-  W.  C'arotherT^,  E-  Bowyer,  L  S-  K^jbinsoo,  A-  ^Martin,  D- 
Eeffer,  S-  W.  Gunn.  S-  Baird.  W.  T.  Shelby.  James  Coclinui,  Jofai 
T.i'art-  K.  D-  HorreL  W.  C  Kickarrl,  William  Wilson,  L.  It  Paikcr, 
Geor2^e  Kjpp,  Asher  Ga-lin.  D.  T-  Clark.  I^ivi  Xotestein,  Hearj 
Marshal,  J.  R,  Johnson,  B,  G-  Fowler,  J-  IL  Roberta,  W.  E.  Robin- 
>5on,  J.  A.  Boorrell-  John  Gaddts  J-  D-  Chauncy,  W.  IL  Wallace, 
William  Rhode,  A.  A.  Allbrig^ht,  G.  H.  B  Tolle,  X  J.  Goetz,  James 
Bourrell,  R.  .1.  Kinney,  tt  J-  Shef-t»,  R,  Onnther,  IL  McClnr^,  O- 
Jones,  J.  J.  Chastine,  E-  W.  Rirl^  way,  S-  S-  Millner.  M-  Froelich, 
Geor^  HJlU  IL  L  In<-e,  J-  X.  E^eston,  John  Grober,  A.  IL  Knost, 
a  Hasler.  J.  M-  Price,  X.  S-  >Iai%haI,  W.  A-  Cope,  J.  S.  Jinkins,  F- 
M.  Bourrell,  R  E-  Betebenner.  W.  F-  Rolan,  A,  J.  Findi,  S-  J. 
Baker.  In  the  year  I>^z,  the  memb(fi%hip  was  thirty-nine ;  and  the 
finaaoes  were  low,  consisting  of  IUinoi$  "  wild  cat  *^  money  worth  12 
cent;  on  the  dollar.  At  the  dose  oi  the  war  the  memboship 
increased  to  1(«9  members,  in  the  year  1^7,  with  finances  $1,300  : 
1^71,  cafth  on  hand,  $2^fy  :  1883,  cash,  $226,  with  $1,300  inTe^ted 
in  real  estate.  The  caose  of  decrease  in  fioanees  was  on  aecoont  of 
paying  a  sick  brother  benefits  (or  a  period  of  a^Mt  yeais,  amnmitwig- 
in  all  to  HvSOa  From  Janaaiy  1,  1883,  to  June  3<J,  1883,  atk 
and  fonenl  benefits  were  paid  to  the  aoMiimt  of  %3Afi.i^  ISem- 
hership  at     July   report,   1883,  «ixty-ax.       PicaeDt  Ofieen:    W. 

41 


674  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

A.  Cope,  N.   G.;    N.  Niblo,  V.  G.;    J.  C   Herron,  Secretary;  G.  E. 
Gaddis,  Treasurer. 

List  of  deaths:  John  Banks,  J.  H.  Cartwright,  L.  M.  Parker, 
Charles  Wetzhiu,  Henry  Pahuer,  John  Palmer,  H.  J.  Sheets,  Will- 
iam Calvert,  Alexander  Steward,  A.J.  Gootz,  J.  C  Armstrong, 
O.  Armstrong,  George  W.  Heap,  James  Cochran,  Jacob  Blackford, 
W.  E.  Robinson,  I.  S-  Robinson,  S.  S.  Burnett,  J.  M.  Brown,  Will- 
iam Cobbs,  J.  B.  Gharst,  David  Holms,  J.  IL  Parker,  Henry  Seibert, 
W.  W.  Wise,  A.  W.  Brewster,  F.  S-  Benton,  E.  Kitchel,  M.  Chaplin, 
A.  J.  Finch.     Sick  and  funeral  benefits  paid,  $4,375. 

Olney  Encampment,  No.  61,  L  O-  O-  F.,  was  organized  April  5, 
1866,  by  Dr.  Samuel  Willard,'  G.  C  P.,  of  Chicago,  111.  Charter 
members:  J.  H.  Cartwright,  J.  R.  Hargrave,  F.  J.  Hinman,  Asher 
Gaslin,  J.  Brillhart,  J.  Oldendorf,  P.  Hires.  First  Officers:  C.  P., 
J.  H.  Cartwright;  H.  P.,  F.  J.  Hinman;  S.  W.,  J.  Brillhart;  J.  W., 
J.  R.  Hargrave;  Scribe,  J.  Oldendorf;  Treasurer,  P.  Hires.  Past 
Chief  Patriarchs:  J.  H.  Cartwright,  J.  Brillhart,  Asher  Gaslin,  Will- 
iam Newel,  W.  C  Richard,  J.  R.  Johnston,  O.  Armstrong,  J.  D. 
Chauncy,  A.  A.  AUbright,  John  A.  Bourrell,  G.  H.  B.  ToUe,  A. 
Martin,  J.  S.  Armstrong,  Joseph  Bourrell,  J.  H.  Roberts,  O.  Jones, 
R.  Ginther,  M.  Froehlich,  H.  L.  Ince,  S-  S.  Millner,  J.  Gruber,  C 
Haslcr,  M.  Mantz,  A.  H.  Knost,  W.  A.  Cope,  W.  F.  Rolen.  Total 
membership  at  last  report,  eighteen.  Present  officers:  C.  P.,  John 
Balmer;  H.  P.,  H.  L.  Ince;  S.  W.,  B.  E.  Betebenner;  J.  W.,  W.  A. 
Cope;  Scribe,  A.  Martin;  Treasurer,  John  Gruber.  Financial  con- 
dition at  present,  $400.  Daaths  since  organization:  John  Brillhart, 
G.  W.  Heap,  J.  H.  Cartwright,  O.  Armstrong,  J.  S.  Armstrongs 
John  M.  Brown.     Sick  and  funeral  benefits  since  organization,  $278. 

Noble  Lodge,  No.  482.  Charter  granted  March  12, 1872.  Char- 
ter members:  L  S-  Armstrong,  George  Ellis,  W.  E.  Alcorn,  Henry 
Cox,  and  N.  Fryburger.  James  C  Bceler  was  the  first  man  initiated. 
I.  S.  Armstrong  was  the  principal  mover  in  the  institution  of  the 
Noble  Lodge.  George  Ellis  and  H.  Friburger  are  the  only  surviv- 
ing charter  members.  First  officers:  L  S.  Armstrong,  N.  G.;  W. 
E." Alcorn,  V.  G.;  N.  Fryburger,  Secretary;  H  Cox,  Treasurer. 
Present  officers:  Ira  P.  Jones,  N.  G.;  John  Shields,  V.  G.;  Harry  C 
Falconer,  Secretary;  George  Ellis,  Treasurer.  Since  tlie  institution 
of  the  Lodge,  there  have  been  sixty-seven  membors  initiated.  The 
Lodge  now  has  twenty-eight  active  members.  Property  worth  at 
loasrSlO;),  and  $300  in  the  trctisury.  The  Lodge  is  in  a  most  pros- 
perous condition. 


HISTOKY    OF   RICHX,AND    COUNTY.  675 

Knights  of  Pythias. — Mannion  Lodge,  No.  52,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  was  organized  and  institnted  September  30,  1874,  by  D.  G. 
C.,  J.  V.  Swarthout,  of  Centralia,  111.,  with  the  following  charter 
members:  N.  8.  Marshall,  W.  F.  Beck,  Jacob  Carter,  William  Kat- 
cHH;  O.  C  Moorhead,  H.  V.  Fnlton,  Ed.  F.  Ridirway,  G.  C  Kidg- 
way,  A.  Chaplin,  L.  Johnston,  D.  J.  Parish,  H.  Marshall,  W.  M.  Rob- 
inson, George  Passmore,  J.  W.  Phillips,  II.  C.  Sands.  F.  P.  Borden, 
T.  Tippit,  A.  Tippit.  The  first  officers  were,  Jacob  Carter,  P.  C.;  N. 
S.  Marshall,  C  C;  W.  F.  Beck,  V.  C;  J.  W.  Phillips,  Prelate; 
Thomas  Tippit,  M.  of  E.;  G.  C  Kidgway,  M.  of  F.;  O.  C  Moorhead, 
K.  of  R.  and  S.;  W.  M.  Robinson,  M.  at  A.;  Lon.  Johnston,  I.  G.; 
A.  Chai)lin,  O.  G.  From  that  time  the  Lodge  has  progressed  stead- 
ily, taking  a  front  rank  among  the  benevolent  orders  in  our  city. 
Its  membership  is  composed  mostly  of  young  men,  and  among  its 
ranks  you  will  find  the  County  Clerk,  Circuit  Clerk,  County  Super- 
intendent of  Schools,  City  Clerk,  the  editors  of  both  of  the  county 
papers,  many  merchants  and  influential  citizens  of  Olney.  They 
have  lost  but  three  mcmbei's  by  death,  viz.:  Ed.  F.  Ridgway,  John 
O.  Ebert,  and  Jonathan  Mills.  They  occupy  an  elegantly  fitted 
room  in  Wisshack's  building,  and  have  property  and  moneys  amount- 
ing to  nearly  $1,200.  Its  present  membership  is  seventy-five,  among 
whom  are  ten  Past  Chancellors.  The  Lodge  has  one  member  who 
is  an  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  in  the  person  of  W.  F. 
Beck.  There  is  also  the  Endowment  Rank  of  the  K.  P."s  Avith  a 
membership  of  twenty,  who  carry  an  insurance  on  their  lives  of 
$40,000.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows:  P.  G,  T.  M.  Richard- 
son; C  C,  R.  N.  Stotler;  V.  C,  J.  B.  Newman;  Prelate,  H.  B. 
Wheeler;  M.  of  E.,  J.  T.  Ratcliff;  M.  of  F.,  O.  C  Palmateer;  K.  of 
R.  and  S.,  N.  A.  Lough;  M.  at  A.,  Ed.  Von  Gunten;  I.  G.,  C.  Wei- 
land;  O.  G.,  A.  Ensey;  Trustees:  W.  F.  Beck,  R.  N.  Stotler,  T.  M. 
Richardson. 

G.  A.  72.— Olney  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R.,  Department  of  Illinois, 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  flourishing  Grand  Army  posts  in  the 
State  of  Illinois.  Comrades  Robert  Sims  and  Willitim  Mattoon 
took  the  initiatory  steps  for  its  organization.  Gen.  RoAvley  Page, 
of  Galesburg,  111.,  mustered  the  Post  on  April  7,  1881.  There 
were  twenty-four  charter  members,  viz.  :  Eli  Bcjwyer,  David  E  lun- 
ston,  John  J.  Coons,  Theodore  S^^'hifferstein,  William  Bower,  Oris 
C.  Palmateer,  I.  P.  Co[)e,  James  M.  Bradford,  Beriah  Bicknell,  J.  A. 
Silisbury,  E.  M.  Cummins,  J.  T.  McGinnis,  Robert  Sims,  J.  C. 
Rush,  John  E.   Jones,  Philip  Heltman,   Chris.    Hasler,  William  H. 


676  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Myers,  George  Hall,  O.  H.  Clark,  H.  Bolinger,  Jonathan  Mills, 
T.  O.  Besleyand  William  Mattoon.  The  Post  selected  its  first  offi- 
cers as  follows  :  Post  Commander,  Gen.  Eli  Bowyer  ;  Senior  Vice 
Post  Commander,  David  Edunston  ;  Junior  Vice  Post  Commander, 
John  J.  Coons  ;  Surgeon,  Theo.  Schitiersteiu  ;  Officer  of  the  Day, 
John  C.  Rush  ;  Chaplain,  Rev.  O.  H.  Clark  ;  Adjutant,  T.  O.  Bes- 
ley  ;  Quartermaster,  William  Rhode  ;  Officer  of  the  Guard,  Robert 
Sims  ;  Sergeant-Major,  William  Mattoon  ;  Quartermaster-Sergeant, 
William  T.  Prunty. 

Memorial  Day,  May  30,  1881,  was  duly  observed  by  the  Post, 
whose  membership  at  this  time  had  swelled  to  one  hundred.  The  Olney 
Cornet  Band  and  the  different  societies  of  the  city,  in  full  uniforms 
and  regalias,  assembled  at  the  schoolhoiLse  vard,  where  the  vast 
crowd  listened  to  music  and  to  speeches  by  Comrade  William  Mat- 
toon and  Gov.  John  P.  St.  John,  of  Kansas;  thence  proceeding 
to  the  cemetery  in  the  presence  of  .5,000  people,  the  ritualistic  serv- 
ices of  the  G.  A.  R.  for  Decoration  Daj'  were  held  in  an  impressive 
manner. 

Memorial  Days,  May  30,  1882,  and  May  30,  1883,  were  observed 
by  Olney  Post  in  a  like  solemn  and  impressive  manner.  Speeches 
were  delivered  by  Hon.  J.  C.  Allen  and  by  Hon.  E.  Callahan,  of 
Robinson,  111.,  to  immense  throngs,  who  came  in  delegations  from  a 
distance.  William  Mattoon,  for  the  year  1882,  and  J.  H.  Sense- 
man,  for  the  year  1883,  were  elected  and  served  as  Commanders  of 
the  Post. 

Among  those  who  are  deserving  of  special  mention  for  their  gen- 
erous and  untiring  work  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  Olney  Post, 
we  mention  Eli  Bowyer,  J.  C  Rush,  Theodore  Schitferstein,  J.  A. 
Berry  and  David  Fleming.  Our  Post  has  enrolled  about  250  mem- 
bers, of  whom  150  comrades  are  at  this  writing  in  good  standing. 
We  have  lost  but  two  members  by  death  since  our  organization,  viz.  : 
Comrades  H.  J.  Sheets  and  Jonathan  Mills.  Olne}^  Post  has  been 
instrumental  in  the  oroanization,  and  actuallv  mustered  sixteen 
new  posts  of  the  Grand  Army  at  places  as  follows  :  Newton,  Mount 
Carrael,  Sumner,  Fairfield,  Enfield,  Xenia,  Noble,  Jetfersonville, 
West  Salem,  Louisville,  Ingraham,  Bil)le  Grove,  Bone  Gap,  Bird 
Station,  Willow  Hill  and  Rose  Hill.  This  Post  is  also  entitled  to 
the  credit  of  having  successfully  planned  and  managed  the  grand 
Soldiers"  Reunion,  lield  at  Olney,  III,,  on  October  10,  11  and  12, 
1883.  Major  H.  M.  Spain,  Commander  of  the  Camp,  Captain  H.  M. 
Hall,  Chairman  of  the  Executive   Committee,  and  Philip  Heltman, 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  677 

Quartermaster,  performed  faithful  and  invaluable  services.  Captain 
John  S.  Cochennore,  the  onc-lei^ged  soldier,  mounted  on  his  dash- 
ing steed,  in  the  sham  battle,  achieved  great  honor  for  his  chivalry 
in  the  charge,  and  final  victory,  amid  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the 
din  of  musketry.  All  the  State  officei-s  but  one  were  present. 
Gov.  Hamilton,  Old  Dick  Oglesby,  Gen.  Cullom  and  others,  de- 
livered able  addresses,  that  were  listened  to  with  deepest  interest 
by  the  great  multitude  of  20,000  people. 

Olney  Post  has  ahv  yys  been  free  from  political  dissension,  and  her 
charities  have  relieved  many  soldiers  and  their  widows  and  orphans 
in  distress.  During  the  late  Soldiers'  Reunion,  October  10,  11  and  12, 
1883,  held  at  Olney,  III.,  through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Rowland 
and  others,  a  fine  silk  banner  worth  forty  dollars  was  procured  and 
presented  to  Olney  Post,  No.  92. 

The  present  officers,  elected  December  7,  1883,  are  as  follows  :  H. 
M.  Spain,  Commander  ;  J.  C.  Rush,  S.  V.  C  ;  Georije  Hall,  J.  Y.  C.  ; 
J.  A.  Berry,  O.  D.  ;  I.  O.  Wolf,  O.  G.  ;  Dr.  E.  Rowland,  Surgeon  ; 
H.  I.  Ince,  Chaplain  ;  W.  H.  Wolf,  Quartermaster. 

L  0.  M.  ^.— Olney  Lodge,  No.  95,  of  I.  O.  M.  A.,  of  Illinois,  was 
organized  October  .5, 1880,  with  thirty-five  members,  by  M.  L.  Ross, 
D.   G.  P.,  of  Quincy,  111.,  (since  deceased).      Original    members  : 
Fletcher  T.  Phillips,  Fred.  Sterchi,  William  Allen,'Samnel  P.  Herron, 
J.    M.    Price,    S.    S.    Millner,  William  Voigt,  John  Balmer,  Frank 
Boon,  L.   Gossman,  H.  J.  Hahn,  A.  E.  Stamm,  Simon  B.  Reinhard, 
Austin  F.  Struble,  Alex.  Tennyson,   N.  S.  Marshall,  W.  J.  Wolfe, 
J.  J.  Coons,  S.  Y.  Pearson,  Chris.  Balmer.  D.    Bryan,   Albert  Rat- 
cliff,  Peter  Dietrich,  S.  A.  Whitney,  John  T.  Shaw,  Peter  Brillhart, 
William  A.  Thompson,  F  M.  Bourrell,  H.  H.  Kingsbury,  G.  H.  B. 
Tolle,  J.  L.  Randel,  L.  A.  Warren,  W^  II.  H.  Tooley"^  Jonathan  Mills^ 
(deceased),  John  Gries.  Joined  since,  up  to  November  30,  1883  :  G. 
W.  Armsey,  G.  W.  Sparr,  J.  F.    Runyen,  F  E.  Schonert,  Charles 
Fletcher,  Martin  Mantz,  W.  A.  Cope,  Chris.  Launer,  B.  E.  Beteben- 
iier,  John  Krieg,  David  Jones,  John  Robards,  H.G.  Fahs,  A.  H.  New- 
sum,  D.   H.   McGahey,  William    Rhode,  William    Ferriman,  L.  W. 
Palmateer. 

The  officers  at  organization  were  :  Past  President,  J.  J.  Coons  ; 
President,  S.  S.  Millner  ;  Vice  President,  H.  H.  Kingsbury  ;  Record- 
mg  Secretary,  W.J.Wolfe  ;  Financial  Secretary,  J.M.  Price  ;  Treas- 
urer, F  M.  Bourrell  ;  Trusteed,  N.  S.  Marshall,  J.J.Coons,  S.  P.  Her- 
ron ;  Conductor,  A.  Tennyson  ;  Inside  Guardian,  P.  Brillhart ;  Out- 
side Guardian,  J.  Balmer  ;  Chaplain,  J.  T.  Shaw.     Present  officers  : 


678  niSTORY  OF  richland  county. 

President,  B.  E.  Betebcniier  ;  Vice  President,  J.  F.  Runyen  ;  Record- 
ing Secretary,  N.  S.  Marshall  ;  Financial  Secretary,  J.  M.  Price  ; 
Trustees,  Fahs,  McGahey,  Runyen  ;  Conductor,  W.  A.  Cope  ;  Inside 
Guardian,  JohnBalmer  ;  Outside  Guardian,  P.  Dietrich.  The  Lodge 
is  in  a  flourishino-  condition,  financially  and  otherwise. 

Catholic  Knights  of  America. — Olney  Branch,  No.  173,  Catholic 
Knights  of  America,  was  chartered  March  31,  1881,  with  the  tbl- 
lowinsr  charter  members  :  Rev.  John  W.  Muscher,  Thomas  Brassie, 
John  T.  Dolan,  Richard  Lewis,  Maurice  Buckley,  Felix  Brassie, 
William  Steed,  Sebastian  Gast,  William  Harget,  Frank  P.  Gilles- 
pie, Isadore  Brassie,  Augustus  Brassie  and  L.  J.  S^-hifterstein.  Char- 
ter received  and  organized,  Ambrose  Schneider  being  admitted  as 
member  with  card  from  Trenton  Branch,  No.  50,  C  K.  of  A.,  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected  to  serve  until  last  meeting  in 
December,  except  two  trustees,  which  were  to  serve,  one  for  one 
year  following  from  last  meeting,  and  second  for  two  years  follow- 
ing from  last  meeting  in  December;  following  officers  were  elected  : 
Rev.  John  W.  Muscher,  Spiritual  Director  ;  Frank  P.  Gillespie, 
President ;  William  Harget,  Vice  President ;  Ambrose  Schneider, 
Recording  Secretary  ;  John  Thomas  Brassie,  Financial  Secretary  ; 
Felix  Brassie,  Treasurer ;  William  Steed,  Sentinel  ;  Isadore  Brassie, 
Sergeant-at-Arms  ;  L.  J.  Schifferstsin,  Maurice  Buckley,  A.  Brassie, 
Trustees.  The  Branch  is  in  a  flourishing  financial  condition,  and  has 
a  membership  of  thirteen.  Following  are  the  present  officers 
(December,  1883)  :  Rev.  John  W.  Muscher,  Spiritual  Di- 
rector ;  William  Harget,  President  ;  William  Steed,  Vice  Pres- 
ident ;  Ambrose  Schneider,  Recording  Secretary ;  John  Thomas 
Brassie,  Financial  Secretary  ;  Sebastian  Gast,  Treasurer  ;  Isa- 
dore Brassie,  Sergeant-at-Arms ;  Richard  Lewis,  Sentinel  ;  Isa- 
dore Brassie,  Trustee  for  one  year  ;  Rev.  John  W.  Muscher,  for  two 
years;  Maurice  Buckley,  for  three  years. 

A.  0.  U.  W. — This  is  a  fraternal  organization  which  combines 
with  it  a  feature  of  insurance,  which  guarantees  to  the  legatees  of 
the  member  the  sum  of  $2,000  upon  his  demise.  Olney  Lodge,  No. 
76,  was  organized  May  3,  1877,  by  W.  H.  McCormick,  of  Beards- 
town,  III.,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  with  the  following  officers  and 
charter  members:  P.  M.  W.,  .1.  M.  Longenecker  ;  M.  W.,  W.  F. 
Beck  ;  F.,  T.  H.  Johnson  ;  O.,  J.  J.  Coons  ;  Recorder,  W.  H.Wolfe  ; 
Fin.,  J.  H.  Roberts  ;  Receiver,  J.  B.  Gharst ;  Guide,  N.  S-  Marshall ; 
L  W.,  H.  G.  Fahs  ;  O.  W.,  S.  C  Wilson.  Members  :  J.  C  Brock- 
man,  O.  B.  Moreliouse,    S.  Bacharach,  C.    Launer,  D.  Scott,  J.   S. 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  679 

Johnston,  M.  Froohlich,  R.  H.  Harrison,  W.  A.  Campbell,  M.  E. 
Bacharach,  John  Fleming,;  C.  F.  Fleming,  C.  S.  Mitchell,  L.  J. 
Schifferstein,  Henry  Godeke,  Aden  Knoph,  P.  Shepherd,  C  N., 
Payn,  J.  P.  Wilson,  Chris.  Eggler,  S.  T.  Wells,  H.  M.  Hall,  J. 
Carter,  D.  B.  Ridgle3^  This  Lodge  has  been  exceedingly  prosper- 
ous, and  to-day  has  a  membership  of  one  liundred.  It  has  lost  by  death 
four  members,  J.  B.  Gharst,  W.  H.  Richey,  Chris.  Burgener  and  E. 
B.  Barnard.  They  formerly  occupied  the  hall  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  but  in  October,  1882,  they  rented  their  present  hall,  leasing 
^e  hall  for  twenty  years.  They  were  partially  burnt  out  November 
8,  1882,  by  the  burning  down  of  the  Von  Gunten  building.  It 
was  with  difficulty  that  the  building  was  saved,  but  its  trustees  be- 
ing practical  business  men,  had  their  property  insured,  thus  meet- 
ing with  no  financial  loss.  The  Lodge  has  been  very  prosperous 
since  its  organization,  and  to-day  has  a  liandsome  cash  surplus  in  the 
treasmy.  The  Lodge  has 'been  honored  by  having  its  first  Master 
Workman,  W.  F.  Bock,  elected  to  the  second  highest  position  in 
the  Grand  Lodge,  that  of  Grand  Foreman.  The  Lodge  is  composed 
mostly  of  l)usiness  men,  and  comprises  among  its  members  many 
prominent  citizens,  viz.  :  the  Sheriff  of  the  County,  the  Mayor,  City 
Clerk,  and  City  Marshal.  They  meet  regularly  every  Tuesday 
night,  in  their  hall  opposite  the  court  house,  and  where  visiting 
brethren  are  cordially  invited.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : 
P.  M.  W.,  William  Rhode  ;  M.  W.,  W.  H.  Wolfe  ;  F.,  F.  Bohren  ; 
O.,  J.  H.  Roberts  ;  Guide,  G.  P.  Kaley  ;  Recorder,  F.  H.  Fisk  ; 
Fin.,  O.  C.  Palmateer  ;  Receiver,  J.  H.  Shepherd  ;  I.  W.,  G.  Egg- 
ler;  O.  W.,  A.  Enscy. 

Olney  Lerjion,  No.  18,  Select  KnighLs. — This  Legion  was  insti- 
tuted October  1 1th,  1882,  by  Deputy  Grand  Commander  John  L. 
Hundley,  of  Fairfield,  III.,  with  thirty-eight  members.  This  is  a 
higher  grade  of  the  order  of  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
and  is  a  semi-milittiry  organization,  and  is  beneficiary  in  its  objects. 
A  person  to  become  a  Select  Knight  must  be  a  Master  Workman 
in  good  standing.  First  Officers  :  H.  Goileke,  S.  C  ;  S.  Fishback, 
V.  C  ;  O.  C  Palmateer,  L.  C.  ;  R.  R.  Byers,  Recorder  ;  H.  Mehmert, 
Treasurer  ;  E.  M.  Spring,  Recording  Treasurer  ;  F.  Bohren,  Chap- 
lain ;  W.  L.  McFarland,'S.  B.  ;  J.  C  Van  Allmen,  S.  W.  ;  W.  P. 
Shepherd,  J.  W. ;  J.  J.  Coons,  M.  ;  John  Schaar,  Sr.,  G.  ;  James 
Hollister,  William  Rhode  and  F.  Schmadel,  Trustees.  Present 
officers  :  H.  Godeke,  S.  C  ;  W.  F.  Beck,  V.  C  ;  O.  C  Palmateer, 
L.  C.  ;  G.  P.  Kaley,  Recorder ;  G.  Gaddis,  Treasurer  ;  E.  M.  Spring, 


680 


HISTDin     OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 


Recording  Treasurer ;  F.  Bohreii,  Chaplain;  F.  H.  Fisk,"S.  B.  ; 
J.  C  Van  Allinen,  S.  W.;  John  Bohren,  J.  W.  ;  Arch.  Spring,  M.  ; 
Jacob  Schiet,  G.  ;  W.  F.  Beck,  C  F.  Fleming  and  G.  R.  Kaley^ 
Ti'ustees.     Meet  first  and  third  Thursday  evenings  of  each  month. 

Calhoun  Lodge,  No-  166,  A.  0-  U.  W.,  of  Fairview,  Madison 
Township,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  was  instituted  in  April,  1^80,  by  W. 
F.  Beck,  D.  G.  M.  W.,  with  some  eighteen  or  more  charter  members, 
whose  names,  as  well  as  those  of  tKe  first  officers,  are  to  the  writer 
unknown.  At  this  date  (January,  1884),  the  Lodge  has  a  mem- 
bership of  some  fifty  or  sixty,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  both 
financially  and  otherwise.  The  Lodge  contemplates  the  erection  of 
a  new  and  elegant  hall  duriuir  the  cominj;  summer. 

The  first  or  charter  members  were  :  Warren  Frazee,  J.  E.  Will- 
son,  F.  M.  Heath,  S.  S-  Canby,  R.  A.  Hunt,  James  Dodds,  D.  W. 
Pritchett,  F.  M.  Kent,  J.  H.  Deem,  J.  P.  Soliss,  J.  R.  Roberts, 
Cable  Hauser,  Levi  Williamson,  R.  F.  Crandell,  M.  Von  Cong- 
don.  Officers  :  M.  Von  Congdon,  P.  M.  W.  ;  J.  P.  Soliss,  M.  W.  ; 
Levi  Williamson,  F-  ;  Warren  Frazec,  O.  ;  R-  A.  Hunt,  Financier  ; 
J.  E.  Willson,  Receiver  ;  S.  S.  Canby,  Guide  ;  James  Dodds,  G.W.; 
F.  M.  Heath,  O.  W.  ;  J.  H.  Deem,  R."  F.Crandell  and  D. W.  Pritchett, 
Trustees.  Opened  with  fifteen  members  ;  now  have  forty-eight; 
have  lost  two  by  death.  Our  first  assessment  was  %\h.  The  first  Finan- 
cier's Report  was  $G.50,  and  the  Receiver's  Report  $7.-30.  We  now 
have  over  $200  in  notes,  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees,  and  the  last  re- 
port of  the  Receiver  was  $77-50.  The  Financier's  Report  of  No- 
vember 24,  was  $63.7/). 


•*-«!*- 


^jats^S*"^**" 


HISTORY    OF    KK'ILLAND    COUNTY.  H83 


THE  WAR  RECORD. 


'T^HE  period  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  is  a  memorable  one  in 
-^  every  community  of  the  whole  country.  It  marks  an  epoch  in 
our  local  as  well  as  national  history,  and  the  traces  of  its  influence  are 
found  in  a  thousand  forms.  This  sudden  termination  of  the  political 
agitation  which  had  preceded,  brought  men  face  to  face  with  an 
emergency  that  they  were  hardly  prepared  to  meet.  Most  of  the 
people  of  Richland  were  equal  to  the  occasion;  some  wavered  for  a 
time,  and  some  became  embittered.  The  changes  in  political  senti- 
ment was,  in  many  cases,  radical  and  inexplicable.  Some  earnest, 
old  time  Whigs  became  bitter  opponents  to  the  prosecution  of  the 
war,  and  many  determined  Democrats  who  opposed  the  Republican 
progrannne  up  to  the  first  fields  of  the  war,  became  ardent  support- 
ers of  the  administration.  There  was  a  good  deal  of  intemperate 
partisan  spirit  manifested  by  both  parties  in  Richland  County  during 
this  period,  and  some  rather  serious  clashing  occurred.  Enlistments 
early  began  to  take  place  here,  and  a  large  number  of  volunteers 
from  this  county  was  found  in  the  Eighth  Infantry  Regiment.  While 
the  preponderance  of  sentiment  was  largely  in  favor  of  sustaining 
the  government,  there  was  not  that  overwhelming  power  which  led 
the  Unionists  to  calmU^  listen  to  the  vaporings  of  the  opposition. 
Occasionally  a  man  whose  discretion  was  overruled  by  the  effect  of 
liquor  would  disturb  the  equilibrium  of  the  comnmnity  by  shouting 
for  Jeff'.  Davis  or  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  the  result  was,  too 
often,  a  disgraceful  brawl.  A  United  States  Marshal  and  a  few 
troops  were  stationed  at  Olney  sOme  part  of  the  time,  and  some  col- 
lisions occurred  that  were  unfortunate.  On  one  occasion  the  Democratic 
paper  was  attacked  and  destroyed  by  a  'mob  of  the  soldiery.  While 
such  acts  were  clearly  indefensible,  the  sentiment  of  the  community 
palliated  the  offense  on  the  ground  that  sufficient  cause  had  been 
given  to  enrage  the  soldiers,  and  there  was  no  redress  known  to  the 
machinery  of  the  law.  It  would  have  been  desirable  to  prevent  the 
outrage,  but  to  attempt  to  punish  the  offenders  would  have  involved 
evils  which  Avere  worse  than  the  complaint.  Deserters  found  in  this 
section  of  the  State  sympathy  and  refuge,  and  were  the  occasion  of 
much  of  the  disturbance.  On  one  occasion  the  ^Marshal  had  several 
men  under  arrest,  and  the  Sheriff"  of  Jasi)er  County  with  a  large 
yosse  of  men  from  that  and  Crawford  County  came  to  Olney  for  the 


i 


^84  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 


avowed  purpose  of  securing  their  release. '  Reports  of  this  raid  came  i^« 

to  town.  The  court  house  was  garrisoned  by  a  number  of  armed 
citizens  and  preparations  made  to  inaugurate  war  right  here  if  the 
proposed  attack  was  made.  Some  300  or  400  men  did  approach  the 
town,  but  a  good  many  had  by  that  time  had  opportunity  to  consider 
the  nature  of  the  expedition.  They  argued  very  pertinently  that  if 
they  killed  any  one  it  was  murder,  but  if  any  one  of  them  were  killed 
it  would  be  justifiable  homicide,  and  thus  arriving  at  the  conclusion 
they  had  nothing  to  gain  but  everything  to  lose,  their  ardor  cooled 
and  the  larger  proportion  of  the  mob  never  entered  the  city.  A 
very  considerable  number,  however,  did  march  into  the  town,  but 
they  met  with  such  a  determined  set  of  men  that  their  expedition 
proved  similar  to  that  kind  of  the  nursery  rhyme,  who  "  marched  up 
a  hill  with  twice  five  thousand  meu,  and  then  marched  them  back 
again."  It  is  said  that  a  body  of  men  laid  in  ambush  in  the  ceme- 
tery to  waylay  the  invaders  when  they  returned,  but  that  they 
escaped  by  unwittingly  taking  another  route.  Whatever  the  truth 
may  be,  there  was  no  blood  shed  on  this  occasion,  and  there  was  no 
possible  chance  of  the  mob  effecting  anything  "they  sought.  It  was 
a  miserable  ^a wo  and  only  serves  to  show  how  the  excitement  of  the 
time  obscured  the  judgment  of  the  people.  An  incident  is  related 
which,  laughable  as  it  is,  in  the  light  of  the  issue,  might  have  been 
a  very  serious  matter.  It  is  said  that  some  of  the  boys  got  the  idea 
that  in  case  of  war,  in  the  event  of  killing  a  man,  the  marksman 
obtained  the  horse  of  his  victim,  and  it  is  fuijther  stated  that  boys 
were  found  in  possession  of  loaded  pistols,  "  marking  their  man," 
and  only  waiting  for  the  firing  to  begin  to  secure  their  share  of  the 
trophies.  Under  such  circumstances  it  is  marvelous  that  a  serious 
affray  was  not  precipitated,  and  may  be  explained  probably  on  the 
theory  of  an  "  armed  reconnoissance."  There  were  frequent  rumors 
of  other  raids,  but  it  proved  in  each  case  to  be  "  sound  and  fury, 
meaning  nothing.'' 

Two  companies  of  trooi)s  were  raised  early  in  1861,  by  Cap- 
tains Livingston  and  Byers,  and  in  May,  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
appropriated  money  to  uniform  them,  but  this  action  was  subse- 
quently found  to  be  illegal  and  it  was  rescinded.  The  Board  subse- 
quently appointed  the  Supervisor  of  each  township  a  committee  to 
supply  the  wants  of  needy  families  of  volunteers,  and  in  1863  a  levy 
of  a  half-mill  was  made  for  this  purpose.  There  seems  to  have  been 
no  disposition  to  withhold  ajiy  aid  that  could  be  properly  given, 
and  they  thus  expended   some  $2,500.     One  or  two  attempts  were 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  685 

made  to  provide  bounties  for  volunteers,  but  the  majority  of  the 
Board  opposed  the  expense.  On  January  31,  18B5,  under  the  threat- 
ened draft,  the  Board  was  moved  to  offer  a  bounty,  and  recorded 
their  action  as  follows :  "  Whereas,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
Richland  County,  from  motives  of  patriotism,  and  desire  of  furnish- 
ing men  to  fill  tlie  quotas  demanded  by  the  ijovernment,  it  is  there- 
fore ordered  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Kichland  County  that 
a  bounty  of  $100  be  paid  to  each  of  eighty-six  volunteers  on  their 
being  mustered  into  the  sei^vice  and  credited  to  Richland  County." 
Provision  was  made  for  securing  the  money  for  this  outlay,  and  it 
was  subsequently  provided  that  such  as  had  put  substitutes  in  the 
army,  had  served,  or  families  who  had  lost  a  member  in  the  service, 
should  be  relieved  of  the  tax  imposed  to  pay  this  bounty.  Only 
some  twenty-seven  men  were  paid  this  bounty  at  first,  but  claims 
were  subsequently  made  and  allowed  which  made  the  aggregate 
expense  of  the  county  for  bounties  reach  the  sum  of  $3,400.  The 
total  expenditure  from  the  county  treasury  in  relation  to  its  volun- 
teers reaches  onl}^  $5,900.  The  Adjutant-Greneral's  report  gives  the 
summary  report  of  the  quotas  and  credits  of  Richland  County  as 
follows:  Population  in  1860,  9,709.  First  and  second-class  enroll- 
ment in  1863,  1,492;  in  1864,  1,483;  revised  enrollment,  January, 
1865,  1,403.  Quotas,  1861,  272;  1862,  186;  under  the  call  of  Febru- 
ary 1,  and  March  14,  1864,  336;  under  the  call  of  July  18,  1864,  231. 
The  total  quotas  up  to  this  time  was  1,025,  and  the  total  credits, 
1,523,  making  an  excess  of  498.  to  the  credit  of  the  county.  On 
December  31,  18()5,  the  net  quota  of  the  county  was  495,  just  equal 
to  the  excess  to  its  credit;  it  had  an  additional  credit,  however,  of 
54,  making  a  total  credit  of  1,577,  an  excess  of  54  above  the 
total  quota  for  the  war.  It  would  be  impossible  to  trace  the  citi- 
zens of  Richland  County  in  the  army  if  attempted;  a  considerable 
number  found  their  way  in  Missouri  regiments,  and  in  numbers  of 
from  two  to  twenty  in  a  number  of  Illinois  regiments.  A  few  names 
are  found  on  the  rolls  of  Company  D,  Eighteenth  Illinois  Infantry  ;  of 
Company  F,  Forty-Sixth  Illinois  Infantry;  companies  H  and  K,  For- 
ty-Eighth Illinois  Infantry;  Comp:iny  D,  Forty-Ninth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  Company  I,  Sixty-Sixth  Illinois  Infantry. 

Eighth  IlUruns  Infantry. — In  Company  D,  of  this  regiment, 
Richland  County  was  represented  by  nearly  a  full  company.  It 
was  not  the  first  raised  here  but  it  got  into  the  field  first,  and  was 
mustered  in  the  second  regiment  that  Illinois  sent  out.  The 
company   fii*st   enlisted   for    the  three   months'  service,  but  subse- 


«»• 


OF  mcHLA^D  cocnprr.  49f 


paisn-  ontfer  General  Sherman.  The  resnment  re-enlisted  Ami 
veteranizeii  March  24.  1>**>4»  :»nd  rerame<I  to  JUinois  for  veteran  fnr- 
loa^L  On  il3  retom  to  the  tiehl  it  w^as  coniH>liJate<I  with  amadnr 
•nt.  and  remained  at  VTekiburz-  nikinor  part  in  various  eisip^- 
i^ux'  i:;  ontil  (>ctober.  when  it  emfv"-' > '  •br  iC''""^'^  '""  ^•■nuarv 
1.  l''*«i.').  the  r^triment  left  tor  N'eMT  i».  anu    .  ..;  -me 

tifteen  mile*  abovre  the  eitv.    The  L-_. .  took  part-  ~  .   -    .  .  n. 

the  campaign  aipiinst  Mobile,  and  then  reromed  to   Xew^  lis. 

Mskf  31,  it  started  for  Texas,  arrivinor  n  ;Mur^halI  in  Jwa*'  ifc 

was  stationeil  until  the  early  part  of  I"**!*},  when  it  wa&  •  ,  back 

to  Baton  Soa:2:e  and  was  mastered  out  Mav  4>  and  arrivetl  at  ::?prTnff- 
field,  ni..  :?ome  nine  day^  lat«r. 

Sixty- Thirf    Illinois  Infrentnj. — In   this    rezimen  ad 

County  \va>>   rvpresente*!  by  nearly  four  tir  -       riie  arst 

Colonel.  Fran«Ms  Mon> :  the  second  Lieutenanc~i .  "r  Glaae. 

who  went  out  i^  Mijor.  were  both  fiwm  Rirhiu^a.  jj?  v:it  also  tte 
Chaplain.  Stephen  Blair.  The  oompauies  tiom  this  -■'"'--  were 
musteretl  into  the  -erriee  :is  Companies  V   f^   ^   '""^  T.      -^       ^' -^rs 

of  Company  A,  were:  Etohard  Ml'CIutp.  ^  _--t-Lif^  ._. .acs. 

C  E.  Ciirtwrio:ht.  imtil  June  30.  1>  -.  iid  Y-  E.  P':  ^;  Second 
Lieutenante.  V.  E.  PhilL'ps.  until  June  3»).  L'?6o.  and  S«meon  Mver*. 
Of  Company  C.  the  ofieers  were:  W.  M,  Boua:an,  i  ^-^5. 

and  John  Snulfin.  Captains:  Allied  Laws,  until  February  24.  I'^t^t, 
John  Snutiiii  until  June  »>.  l."^6.  and  J-  X-  Carlisle.  Firsc  Lieuten- 
ants: Jacob  Lewis,  until  April  I  -  ">.  and  James  X.  Pope.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenants.  OfCc  '  rn.-^r^  .  ?-•  !1S.  H.  E^ 
«^'"  t.  H.  H  Walser  :ui.l  Vv  .  l.  aL?cu:  rlr^c  L-  i  ;  .:<>  11-  H- 
W;n-<^r.  W.  C-  Keen.  Charle!?I>rennau:  St?i'oud  Lien:  r.  rs.  W.  C- 
Keen.  J.  A-  J^- *•'  <  Henry  Donely  *^^*  *;,...  w,  r  .  sins.  J.  B. 
Crai:^.  G-  F-  :.  .--  .  juner.  J.  H.  l  .  .:  ...<  a  ..  -s.  G-  F- 
Glos>ibreuner.  J-  H.  C-  Dill.  Peter KeUey:  Sc-oud  Li»  u  '  lars.  J.  BL 
C-  Dill.  I.  S'  Robiusou.  This  reirimeut  ^vas  orgnnized  ;i:  ,_i^ip  Du- 
bois, at  Anna.  Ill-,  in  the  mouth  of  December.  I'^tJl.  hv  Colonel 
Francis  >Ioro.  and  mustered  into  the  United  Stares  ser^- 
IS62.  Ou  the  27th  instsint,  it  wass^  ordered  to  Cairo,  and  ttom 
thence*  in  the  middle  of  the  following  month,  to  Henderson,  Kj.» 
but  returticd  to  lUinois  iu  a  tiew  days-  In  the  ear'  '  AuiTD^t. 
the  Sixty- Uhinl  was  "  '  '  -  .  Tenu.,  aa«i  .iso  ,  "h« 
Fourth  BriiraJe.  S'  -  reenth  Anuy  Cor- >. '^  ' 
Stevenson,  of  the>r.n^u;a  —  viumandiuiT  the  bni£n«^K--  lii-i 
Creueral  John   A  Loaran  ov\..              :;  the  tfivisioo.     In  Sepoember. 


688  HISTORY  or  ricetland  county. 

Colonel  Moro  resigned,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  McCown  took  com- 
mand of  the  regiment. 

On  November  10,  the  regiment  moved  with  the  army  to  La- 
grange, and  on  the  28th  marched  with  the  advance  against  Pember- 
ton,  compelling  his  retreat  to  Grenada,  Miss.,  when  the  force  returned 
to  Lagrange.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  the  latter  part  of 
Januarv,  when  it  was  assigned  to  the  provisional  Division  of  General 
Veach,  but  did  not  move  until  May,  1863.  The  Sixty-Third  then 
proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  and  went  on  picket  at  Young's  Point  until 
May  21,  when  it  crossed  the  river  at  Warrenton,  and  completed  the 
investment  of  the  city  on  the  extreme  left.  Three  days  later  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Logan,  on  the  right  cen- 
ter, and  on  the  same  night  was  relieved  by  the  Forty-Sixth  Illinois, 
which  lost  five  companies  captured  that  night.  On  the  following 
day  the  regiment  reported  to  Logan  and  was  assigned  to  duty.  In 
June  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  Mower's  Brigade,  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  and  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend,  to  protect  the  place. 
On  June  16th,  the  Sixty-Third  took  part  in  the  fight  at  and 
destruction  of  Richmond,  La.,  and  returned  to  Young's  Point,  where 
it  remained  until  after  the  surrender  and  then  went  on  post  duty  at 
Vicksburg,  July  5,  1863.  In  the  same  month  it  was  assigned  to  the 
First  Brigade,  Seventh  Division,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  Col.. 
J.  J.  Alexander,  of  the  Fifty-Ninth  Indiana,  commanding  the  bri- 
gade. Gen.  John  E.  Smith  commanding  the  division. 

September  12,  the  regiment  moved  to  Helena,  Ark.,  from  thence 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  month  to  Memphis,  and  in  the  following 
month  toward  Chattanooga.  On  the  7th  of  October,  the  division 
was  assigned  as  Third  Division  of  the  Filteenth  Army  Corps.  The 
regiment  reached  Chattanooga  via  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  on  the  20th, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  on  the  23d  and  24th 
of  November,  1863.  On  the  defeat  of  the  enemy  the  Sixty-Third 
took  part  in  the  pursuit  as  far  as  Ringgold,  Ga.,  when  it  returned  to 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  and  subsequently  moved  to  Huntsville  to  go  into 
winter  quarters,  arriving  there  December  2Q,  1863.  On  January  1, 
1864,  272  men  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and  on  April  3,  were  ordered 
home  on  furlough,  arriving  at  Centralia  on  the  10th  of  the  month. 
May  13,  the  furlough  having  expired,  the  regiment  left  Centralia 
and  reported  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  on  the  21st  of  the  month.  Two 
days  later  the  regiment  moved  to  Triana,  on  the  TcMUiessee  River, 
and  on  the  15th  of  the  following  month  returned  to  the  army,  and 
moved   thence  to  Kingston  via  Chattanooira,  where  it  was  assigned 


HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  68i^ 

to  railroad  guard  duty  till  November  11,  when  the  command  was 
ordered  to  join  General  Sherman.  From  this  time  on  it  participated 
in  the  march  to  the  sea,  leaving  Atlanta,  on  the  15th  of  November 
and  arriving  at  the  defenses  of  Savannah,  December  10;  participated 
in  the  attack  on  the  Ogeechee  Canal,  and  on  the  12th  moved  to 
Miller's  Station,  on  the  Gulf  Railroad,  where  it  kept  up  a  strong 
picket  line  on  the  approaches  until  December  21,  when  the  city  sur- 
rendered. The  Sixty-Third  was  then  assigned  to  guard  duty  at  Forts 
Wimberly,  Beaulieu,  Bonaventure  and  Rose  Dew. 

January  19, 1865,  the  regiment  started  under  orders  through  the 
Carolinas.  At  Sisters  Ferry,  the  high  water  forced  the  brigade  to 
return  to  Savannah,  from  wheuce  it  proceeded  by  water  to  Beaufort, 
and  from  thence  rejoined  its  corps  at  Pocotaligo,  S.  C,  January  30, 
1865.  From  this  point  forward  the  Sixty-Third  took  part  in  the  Car- 
olina campaign,  losing  oue  officer  and  twenty-five  men  by  the  explo- 
sion of  the  arsenal  at  Columbia,  S-  C  The  regiment  shared  in  the 
battles  and  skirmishes  of  this  campaign,  losing  five  men  at  Lynch's 
Creek,  and  Lieut.-Col.  fcaminger,  commanding  Division  Pioneer 
Corps,  who  was  captured  uot  over  300  yards  from  the  head  of  the 
column.  On  March  21,  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 
tonville,  and  on  the  24th  entered  Goldsboro.  Here  the  regiment 
remained  until  April  10,  and  while  here  was  complimented  by  the 
Inspector  Ganeral  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  for  the  appear- 
ance of  the  camp  and  the  soldierly  bearing  of  the  men.  The  non- 
veterans  were  mustered  out  on  the  9th,  and  on  the  following  day 
the  regiment  moved  to  Rileigh,  and  on  the  25th,  the  Third  Division, 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  being  discontinued,  the  Sixty-Third  waa 
transferred  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  Fifteenth  Army 
Corps.  In  the  latter  part  of  April,  the  regiment  moved  to  Rich- 
mond, and  from  thence  to  Alexandria,  taking  part  in  the  grand  review 
at  Washington,  on  May  24,  and  going  into  camp  three  miles  north 
of  the  city.  In  June,  the  regiment  moved  via  Baltimore  &  Ohio 
Railroad  to  Parkersburg  on  the  Ohio  River,  and  thence  to  Louisville, 
Ky.,  where  it  encamped  on  the  Woodlawn  Race  Course.  July  13, 
1865,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and  left  for  Camp  Butler,  Illi- 
nois, where  the  regiment  arrived  July  16,  1865.  A  summary  of  the 
regimentil  statistics  is  as  follows:  Original  aggregate,  888  men. 
Present  when  re-enlisted,  322  men.  Two  companies  were  not  eligi- 
ble as  veterans,  but  of  the  eight  remaining  companies,  272  re-en- 
listed. Arrived  at  Camp  Butler  with  272  men.  Distance  traveled 
by  rail  2,208  miles;  by  water,  1,995  miles;  by  marching,  2,250 
miles — a  total  of  6,453  miles. 


« 


(J90  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

Ninpty-Ei(jh()t  Illinois  Infantry. — This  regiment  was  organized 
of  men  drawn  from  the  counties  of  Jasper,  Cnnvford,  Richland,  Clay, 
Eftinffhara  and  Marion.     Of  the  regimental  officers,  Richland  County 
contributed  the  fii-st  Lieutenant-Colonel,  PMward  Kitchel,  who  subse- 
quently was    promoted  to  Colonel  and .  Brevet-Brigadier-General; 
D.  D.  Marquis,  originally  ( -aptain  and  promoted  to  Major  and  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; F.  D.  Preston,  Quartermaster.     Companies  B  and 
G  were  principally  drawn  from  this  county,  and  a  considerable  num- 
ber in  H.    The  officers  of  Company  B,  were:  Captains,  D.  D.  Marquis, 
W.  E.  Hoffman;  First  Lieutenants,  W.   E.  Hoffman,  W.  C  Rickard, 
Austin  Jenkins;  Second  Lieutenants,  W.  C.  Rickard,  T.  W.  Scott, 
Austin  Jenkins,  Milton  Chaplin.     The  officers  of  Company  G,  were 
from  other  counties,  save  the  original  ones.     These  were:  Frederick 
A.  Johns,   Captain;  L.  D.  Laws,  First  Lieutenant;  William  Jobes, 
Second  Lieutenant.     Of  Company  H,  Richland  furnished  the  Captain, 
Thomas  Johnson,  and  Ephraim  Martin,  First  Lieutenant.    T.  W.  Scott 
of  Company  B,  was  subsequently  Captain  of  Company  K,  of  the  same 
reo-iment.     The   Ninet^'-Eighth    Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers,  was 
organized  at  Centralia,  Illinois,  September,  1862,  by   Colonel  J.  J. 
Funkhouser,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  on  the  3d 
of  the  same  month.     On  the  8th  instant,  the  regiment  proceeded 
under  orders  to  Louisville,  Ky.     At  Bridgeport,  111.,  while  en  route, 
the  train  was  thrown  from  the  track  by  a  misplaced  switch,  and 
Capt.  O.  L.  Kelley   and  seven  men  killed,  and  seventy-five  wounded. 
On  the  !^»th  the  regiment  moved  to  Jeffersonville  and  went  into  quar- 
ters at  Camp  Joe  Holt.  On  the  IHth  it  moved  to  Shephcrdsville:  on 
the  30th  to  Elizabethto^vn,  and  from  thence  to  Frankfort,  where  it 
arrived  on  the  Uth  of  October.     On  the  llth,  it  moved  in  quest  of  an 
enemy  to  Vei-sailles,  from  which  the  rebels  retreated,  leaving  some 
200  sick  in  the  hospital.     The  regiment  at  this  time  was  in  the  For- 
tieth Brigade,  which  was  made  up  of  the  Seventy-Second  and   Sev- 
enty-Fifth Indiana    Infantry,  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry    and 
Thirteenth   Indiana   Battery,  Col.  A.  O-  Miller,  of  the  Seventy-Sec- 
ond Indiana,  commanding.  This  brigade  was  assigned  to  the  Twelfth 
Division  of  th(;  Army  of  the  Ohio. 

Returning  to  Frankfort  aft(n-  the  expedition  to  Versailles,  the 
reiriment  with  its  brigade  marched  ria  Bardstown,  Munfordville 
and  Ghisgow  to  Bowling  Green,  where  it  arrived  on  the  3d  of  No- 
vember. On  the  10th  the  brigade  and  division  moved  to  Scottsville, 
thence  to  Gallatin  on  the  25th,  to  Castillian  Springs  on  the  28th. 
and  to  Bledsoe  Creek  on  the  14th  of  December.     Here  Gen.  Rey- 


0 


W-% 


i: 


■N. 


III>T«>KV  OF    i:if:ULANI>  corxTY.  601 

noldrf  took  coiiiinaiKl  of  the  division.  Tlio  Scvciitoonth  ludisiiia  In- 
fantry WHS  also  assi^nicd  to  tho  brigade,  Col.  Wilder  of  that  rf;i»i- 
nnent  aHsumini^  the  brigade  eommand,  and  on  the  26th  of  Decem- 
ber the  march  was  begun  northward  in  pursuit  of  Morgan,  reaching- 
Glasgow  on  the ;'.l.st  From  this  point,  on  January  2,  1^6.},  the  bri- 
gade proceeded  to  Cave  City,  and  from  thence  to  Nashville  aiifl  Mur- 
freesboro.  Here  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade, 
Fifth  Division  of  the  Fourteenth  Ai-my  Corps,  the  brigade  lK;ing 
compf)sed  of  tiu!  Seventeenth  and  Seventy-Second  Indiana,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-Third  and  Ninety-P2ighth  Illinois  Infantry.  In 
the  latter  |)art  of  January,  the  brigade  made  an  expedition  to  IJra- 
dyville  and  returned  to  do  guard  duty  for  forage  trains  and  scouting. 
Early  in  March  the  Ninety-Eighth  was  ordered  to  be  mounted,  and 
350  men  were  provided  with  horses  by  the  15th.  Soon  afterward 
the  whole  brigade  was  mounted,  and  on  the  1st  of  April  moved  out 
on  an  eight  davs'  sf.-out,  going  to  Roan,  Lebanon  and  Snow's  Hill 
and  return.  On  the  13th,  the  brigade  moved  to  Lavergne  and  Frank- 
lin, returning  to  Murfreesboro.  On  the  20th,  the  brigade  again 
moved  out  to  McMinnville,  and  destroyed  a  cotton  factory  and  capt- 
ured a  railroad  train;  on  the  22d  and  2.3d,  moved  by  way  of  Lib- 
erty to  Alexandria  and  joined  Gen.  Reynolds'  command;  on  the  27th 
raided  to  Labanon,  capturing  a  large  number  of  horses  and  mules, 
and  on  the  2'.nh,  returned  to  Slurfreesboro.  May  6,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Third  Illinois  was  assigned  to  the  brigade  and  mounted  in- 
stead of  the  Seventy- Fifth  Indiana,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  month, 
the  l>rigade  made  a  reconnoissance  to  the  front,  driving  in  the  enemy'* 
pickets  with  some  loss.  On  the  3 1st  the  Ninety-Eighth  was  armed 
Avith  the  Spencer  repeating  rifle,  which  proved  an  effective  arm.  In 
June  the  command  moved  out  on  the  Liberty  road,  and  attacked  the 
First  Kentucky  and  Eleventh  Texas  Cavalry,  capturing  twenty  pris- 
oners and  tive  wajrons.  June  16,  it  moved  to  Dark  Bend,  on  the  Ten- 
nessee  River,  and  on  the  10th  attacked  the  enemy  at  Liberty,  <lriv- 
in«7  their  rear  jruard  of  1.50  men  to  Snow's  Hill. 

On  the  2Uh  of  June,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  moved  out 
on  the  Ciiickamauga  cam|)aign,  the  Ninety-Eighth  occupying  a 
position  on  the  right  flank.  At  Hoover's  Gap  the  regiment  came  in 
contact  with  the  enemy,  repulsing  them,  and  suflering  a  loss  of  one 
man  killed  and  five  wounded.  The  brigade  then  moved  on  the  flank 
of  the  Fourth  Division,  cutting  the  railroad  at  Deeherd,  driving  the 
enemy  from  the  stockades,  and  returning  to  the  army  at  Manchester 
on  the  1st  of  July.     From  this  time  to  the  ICth  of  August  the  regi- 

42 


(592  iiisTonv  of  tjcmland  county. 

ment  was  in  the  viciiiit}'  of  AVartnice  and  Dechcrd  foraging  for 
horses  and  mules,  capturing  about  1,000  head.  The  brigade  was 
about  this  time  further  augmented  by  the  addition  of  the  Xinet}^- 
Sscond  Illinois,  and  moved  with  the  general  advance  of  the  army  in 
Auo-ust,  over  the  Cumberland  Mountains  and  AValdron's  Kidgc  to 
Poe's  Tavern,  and  September  9,  forded  the  Tennessee  and  moved  in 
advance  of  Chittenden's  Corps,  toward  Ringgold.  On  the  11th,  it 
moved  to  Tunnel  Hill,  skirmishing  with  Forrest;  12th,  moved  to 
Gordon's  Mills;  loth,  laid  in  line  of  battle,  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy,  and  on  the  14th,  moved  to  Stephenson's  Gap.  On  the  17th, 
moved  to  Alexander's  bridge,  and  on  the  18th  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  began.  The  Ninety-Eighth  did  good  service  in  this  action 
and  lost  five  killed  and  thirty-six  wounded,  Col.  Funkhouser  being 
wounded.  During  the  remainder  of  the  month  the  regiment  marched 
to  vStevenson,  guarding  prisoners,  and  returned.  On  the  1st  of 
Ootobsr,  this  brigade,  Avith  the  First  and  Twenty-Fifth  brigades  ot 
cavalry  under  Gen.  Crook,  started  in  pursuit  of  Wheeler.  On  the 
2d,  the  command,  crossing  Waldon's  bridge,  moved  through  Sequat- 
chie Valley  to  the  summit  of  the  Cumberland  jNIountains,  and  on  the 
3d,  the  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  and  Seventeenth  Indiana  came  upon  a 
brio-ade  of  the  enemv,  left  as  a  rear  guard,  and  attacked  it,  defeating 
the  enemy  and  inflicting  a  loss  of  fifteen  or  twenty  men.  Pushing 
forward,  the  expedition  drove  the  enemy  from  jNIcMinnville,  on  the 
4th,  and  on  the  7th  came  up  with  the  enemy  near  Shelbyville, 
charged  him  and  captured  fifty  prisoners,  losing  only  two  wounded 
in  the  engagement.  The  Ninety-Eighth  was  engaged  in  the  suc- 
ceeding fight  at  Famiington,  and  was  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of 
Wheeler  until  the  19th  instant,  when  he  crossed  the  Tennessee  and 
escaped.  The  brigade  then  went  into  camp  at  Maysville  until  the 
21st  of  November,  when  it  proceeded  to  Chattanooga  and  Avas  num- 
bered Third  Brigade,  in  the  Second  Division  of  Cavalry,  Gen. 
Crook  commanding;  the  NinetA^-Eighth  regiment  had  200  eflfective 
men,  mounted. 

The  Second  Division  proceeded  at  once  across  the  Cliickamauga 
on  pontoons,  and  marched  up  the  Tennessee  Iliver  to  Bly's  Ferry, 
and  thence  to  Tine's  Station,  cutting  the  railroad  and  telegraph  lines 
in  sight  of  Bragg's  camp  fires.  On  November  24,  the  connnand  capt- 
ured a  wagon  train  of  sixty  Avagons  and  moved  into  Cleveland. 
On  the  2(ith,  the  Ninety-Eighth  had  a  slight  skirmish  Avith  the 
enemy,  losing  tAvo  men  Avounded.  On  the  2.sth  of  November,  1863, 
the  regiment  numbered  150  men,  mounted,  the  dismounted  portion 


HISTORY    OF    KICIILANI)    COUNTY.  693 

veturninii-  to  Iliuitsvillc!  under  comnuiud  of  ]\lajor  Marquis.  Ou 
December  1,  the  regiuioiit  was  in  the  advance  of  Sherman's  army, 
<3amc  in  contjict  with  the  enemy  and  drove  him  as  far  as  Loudon. 
Thence  the  line  of  march  led  across  the  Little  Tennessee,  to  Knox- 
ville;  thence  to  Mavsville  and  Murpliy,  and  going  into  camp  on  the 
15th,  at  Calhoun,  on  the  Hiawassee  River,  the  regiment  num])ering 
at  this  time  only  HI  men  and  officers.  On  the  28th  of  Deccml)er,  the 
reciment  was  ensfaofed  in  a  skirmish  with  Wheeler's  cavalry,  driving 
them  some  distance,  and  ca[)turing  the  Inspector  General  of  Kel- 
ley's  rebel  division. 

The  regiment  recuperated  in  camp  during  the  winter,  and  in 
the  early  part  of  Fel)ruary  was  reinforced  by  the  balance  of  the  reg- 
iment Avith  Col.  Funkhouser.  In  the  meantime,  also,  the  brigade 
had  been  assigned  to  the  Second  Division  of  Cavalry.  On  the  23d 
and  24th  of  February  the  command  was  engaged  at  Buzzard's  Roost, 
losinof  twelve  men  wounded,  and  on  March  1,  moved  to  Cleveland. 
Subsequently  the  regiment  moved  to  Ringgold,  and  went  on  picket 
duty,  extending  the  line  toward  Nickajack.  About  the  middle  of 
April  the  regiment  moved,  under  orders,  to  Colund)ia,  marching  via 
Bridgeport,  Battle  Creek,  Decherd  and  Shelbyville.  In  the  latter 
part  ot  the  month,  the  Ninety-Eighth,  400  strong,  moved  to  the 
front,  arriving  at  Lafayette,  Ga.,  on  the  9th  of  May.  On  the  Uth, 
the  regiment  marched  to  Villanon;  on  the  14th,  toward  Rome;  16th, 
to  Lay's  Ferry;  19th,  marched  through  Kingston;  23d,  crossed  the 
Etowah  and  moved  toward  Van  AVert,  and  on  the  24th,  tlirough  Van 
Wert  to  within  two  miles  of  Dallas,  Avhcre  the  enemy  was  met  and 
driven  into  Dallas.  Here,  after  a  day's  skirmishing,  the  command 
moved  toward  PoAvder  Springs.  On  the  28th,  the  regiment  occupied 
a  position  on  McPherson's  right,  wiiere  it  dismounted  and  repulsed 
a  charge  of  the  enemy;  on  the  29th,  it  moved  to  Burnt  Hickory. 
June  i),  it  made  a  reconnoissance  beyond  Big  Shanty;  dismounted 
and  drove  the  enemy  five  miles,  and  on  the  19th  and  20th,  moved 
out  to  Noonday  Creek,  where  it  had  a  brisk  skirmish  with  the 
enemy.  On  July  .'>,  it  marched  through  Marietta,  skirmishing  heavily 
on  the  following  day,  and  on  the  oth,  moved  toward  Roswell  factor}' 
and  became  engaged  Avith  a  light  force  of  the  enemy,  finally  taking 
possession  on  the  9th  instant.  Passing  the  Chattahoocliie  to  Cross 
Keyson,  the  17th,  the  conmiand  struck  the  Atlanta  &  Augusta  Rail- 
road, sixteen  miles  east  of  Atlanbi,  destroying  scA-^eral  miles  of  track, 
and  on  the  19th  returned  to  McAffee's  bridge;  moved  to  Decatur, 
on  the  21st,  and  thence  to  Oxford  and  Covington,  capturing  a  rail- 


094  HISTORY    OF    KICHLAXD    COUNTY. 

road  train  and  sixteen  prisoners,  burning  the  railroad  Inidge  and 
returning  on  the  24tli  to  Decatur.  The  command  immediately 
moved  in  support  of  Stoneman,  in  the  movement  on  Atlanta  and 
Mobile  Railroad,  the  division  at  one  time  being  entirely  surrounded  by 
the  enemy,  but  cutting  its  way  out,  it  returned  to  the  rear  of  Atlanta. 
On  the  1st  of  August,  18(54,  the  division  was  ordered  to  occupy  the 
works  vacated  by  the  Twenty-Third  Corps,  which  it  held  until  the 
15th,  when  it  moved  out,  and  on  the  20th,  joined  Kilpatrick  on  the 
reconnoissance  to  Decatur.  The  regiment  participated  in  Sherman's 
flank  movements  to  Rough  and  Ready,  and  went  on  picket  at  Jones- 
boro,  from  the  4th  to  the  8th  of  September.  From  this  point  the 
Ninety-Eighth  moved  to  Decatur,  thence  to  Blake's  Mills,  and  on 
the  19th,  went  on  a  scout  towards  Lawrenceville;  on  the  21st,  moved 
to  the  support  of  Kilpatrick  via  Atlanta,  Dry  Pond  and  Sand  Town; 
crossed  the  Chattahoochie,  on  the  24th,  and  reconnoitered  toward 
Campbelltown,  and  thence  moved  to  Lost  Mountain  and  Ackworth. 
On  Hood's  departure  for  the  North,  the  division  was  detached 
to  watch  his  movements,  and  on  October  4,  camped  near  Kenesaw 
moving  thence  to  Rome,  Adairsville,  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Chattooga- 
ville,  Gajdesville,  and  on  the  21st  attacked  and  routed  Wheeler,  at 
Rudd's  Farm,  near  Little  Rivei*.  On  November  1,  the  Ninety-Eighth 
turned  over  its  horses  and  equipments  to  Kilpatrick,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing day  moved  to  Calhoun.  Thence  the  regiment  proceeded  to 
Nashville  and  Louisville,  where  it  laid  in  camp  until  December  2(3, 
waiting  for  horses  and  equipments.  The  regiment 'was  then  ordered 
to  Bardstown,  to  intercept  the  enemy  under  Gen.  Lyon,  and  on  the 
31st,  moved  to  Elizabethtown.  On  the  12th  of  January,  18(35,  the 
command  passed  through  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  marched  via  Colum- 
bia and  Mount  Pleasant  to  Gravelly  Springs,  Ala.,  remaining  in 
camp  at  that  place  until  March  13.  The  regiment  moved  thence  to 
Waterloo  and  Chickasaw  Landing.  On  the  22d  of  ]\Iarch,  it  com- 
menced the  spring  campaign,  with  the  First,  Second  and  Fourth  Cav- 
alry Divisions,  12,000  strong,  General  Wilson  in  command.  On 
the  31st,  Moutrevalle  was  reached,  Roddy's  rebel  conmiand  1)eing 
driven  out  by  Gen.  Upton.  On  April  1,  the  enemy  made  a  stand  at 
Ebenezer  Churcli,  but  were  driven  b}^  four  companies  of  the  Seven- 
teenth Indiana.  On  April  2,  tlie  regiment  participated  in  the  capture 
of  Selma.  In  this  engagement  the  Fourth  Division  having  failed  in 
their  assault,  1,600  men  of  the  Second  Division  made  the  attack, 
and  carried  the  works.  The  loss  of  theNinety-Eiglith,  in  tliis  action, 
was  nine  killed  and  two  mortally  wounded,  six  otiicers  wounded  and 


HISTOUY   OF   KICHLAND   COUXT1-.  01)5 

twenty-one  men.  The  number  of  the  re-jiment  cnoa,:^ecl  was  only 
172.  On  the  9th,  the  division  erossetl  the  Ahil)ania  River,  and  on 
the  1,5th,  entercMl  :\ronto:omery.  Thence  the  line  of  march  led  throno-h 
€olumljus  to  ]Macon,  which  was  entered  without  opposition.  The 
Ninety-Eighth  was  detailed  for  provost  duty,  and  served  in  the 
capacity  of  provost  guard  until  :\lay  23,  when  it  started  for  Chatta- 
iiooo-ii  and  thence  to  Nashville,  where  it  went  into  camp  near  p:doe- 
field.  Here  it  was  joined  by  Maj.  Marquis,  with  the  balance  of  the 
regiment  which  had  been  detached.  On  the  27th  of  June,  18(15,  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out,  the  recruits  being  transferred  to  the 
Sixty-First  Illinois  Infantry.  The  Ninety-Eighth  reached  Spring- 
field, 111.,  on  the  ;]()th  of  June,  and  was  finallv  discharoed  JuFv 
7,  1865.  ^  ft  J 

One  Hundred  and  ThiHy-Sixth  HUnois  Infantry  .—T\i\s  regiment 
was  organized  in  1 8(54,  in  response  to  the  urgent  demand  for  troops  for 
special  duty,  through  the  especial  influence  of  Col.  Johns.     Of  this 
regiment  comj^anies    C  and  G  were  largely   formed   in    Kichland 
County,  though  there  was  perhaps  not  more  than  one  full  company 
m  all.     The  officers  of  Company  C  were  :  Joseph  r>erry,  Captain;  E. 
C  Compton,  First  Lieutenant;  C  H.  Eobinson,  Second  Lieutenant. 
Of  Company  G  the  ofticers  were:    James  St.  Clair,  Captain;  J.  H. 
Carsin,  First  Lieutenant;  Peter  Brillhart,  Second  Lieutenant.     The 
regiment  was  organized  at  Centralia  and  miLstered  into  the  United 
State's  service  for   100  days,  on  June  1,  1864.     The  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Columbus,  Ky.,   whcr(>  it  did  post  duty  for'^some  time, 
varying  the  monotony  of  garrison  experience  by  an  expedition  to 
Maysville,  Avhere  it  had  a  light  skirmish  with  Price's  force.     The 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Sixth  was  subsequcntlv  ordered  to  Chi- 
cago and  from   thence    to  Saint  Louis,  where  the  reoiment  found 
comfortable  quarters  in  Benton  P>arracks,  for  two  or  three  weeks. 
The  regiment  was  then  ordered  to  Alton  and  thence  to  Springfield, 
111.,  where  it  was  mustered  out,  October  22,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Fifth  llHnols  Infantry.— Qom\yAny  E, 
of  this  regiment,  was  drawn  from  Richland  County  and  was  officered 
by  Captain,  I.  O.  Leger;  First  Lieutenants,  Ephraim  Beasley,  until 
May  81,  18(55,  and  Samuel  Mitchell;  Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel 
Mitchell,  until  June  14,  1865,  and  the  vacancy  thus  made  was  not 
filled.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Fifth  Infantrv  was  organized  at 
Camp  Butler,  by  Col.  G.  A.  Smith,  and  mustered  into  the  service 
Fel)ruary  28,  18(55,  for  one  year.  On  March  25,  the  reo-iment,  904 
strong,  moved  via  Louisville  and  Nashville,  to  Tullahoma,^Tenn..  and 


GiiG  IIISTOKY    OF    RICHLAXD    COUNTY. 

reporting-  to  Gren.  Milroy  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Gen. 
Dudler.  On  June  17,  the  reofiment  was  divided  into  detach- 
ments  of  twenty  or  thirty  men  each,  and  assigned  to  guard  duty,  on 
the  Xashville  &  Chattanooga  Raih-oad,  occupying  the  bh)ck  houses 
from  Xashville  to  Duck  River,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles.  On  September 
'4,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and  moved  to  Camp 
Butler,  111.,  where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Sixth  Illmozs  Cavalry. — This  regiment  drew  its  material  from 
a  wide  area  of  territory  in  the  State,  Company  E  being  chiefly 
derived  from  Richland  Count}'.  John  L3'nch,  the  Colonel  of  the 
regiment  when  mustered  out,  haviuof  gone  out  as  First  Lieutenant 
of  Company  E,  rose  through  the  ranks  of  Captain,  ^Nlajor  and  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  to  that  position.  The  officers  of  the  company  were  : 
Captains,  Isaac  Gibson,  John  Lynch,  Edward  Ball,  H.  W.  Stewart; 
First  Lieutenants,  John  Lynch,  Edward  Ball,  H.  W.  Stewart, 
Joseph  Frazier;  Second  Lieutenants,  E.  G.  Tarpley,  H.  W.  Stewart, 
Sylvanus  Gard,  T.  M.  Shields.  This  regiment  was  organized  at 
Camp  Butler,  111.,  November  19,  18G1,  and  six  days  later  moved  to 
Shawneetown,  where  it  encamped  until  the  following  February.  It 
then  proceeded  to  Paducah,  Ky.,  and  from  thence  to  Columbus,  where 
the  regiment  was  divided,  five  companies  going  to  Trenton,  Tenn.,  five- 
going  to  Memphis  and  two  remaining  at  Paducah  and  Bird  s  Point. 
During  the  spring  a)  id  summer  of  1862,  the  several  detachments 
operated  against  the  guerillas  and  were  in  several  minor  engage- 
ments, the  more  important  of  which  were  at  Dyersburg,  Tenn.,  and 
Olive  Branch  and  Coldwater,  Miss.,  in  all  of  which  the  detach- 
ments of  the  regiment  were  successful,  sufferino:  an  ao-orea-ate  loss  of 
two  killed,  six  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner.  Early  in  the  fall 
of  18G2,  the  detachments  were  again  united  at  Memphis,  and  on 
November  2(5,  18(52,  the  regiment  formed  the  advance  of  Gen.  Sher- 
man's Army  Corps,  in  its  movement  toward  Grenada,  Miss.  In  the 
latter  part  of  December,  it  was  engaged,  with  others,  in  the  pursuit 
of  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  after  his  raid  upon  Holly  Springs,  engaging 
him  for  seven  consecutive  days.  In  January,  18G8,  the  regiment 
returned  to  Lagrange,  Tenn.,  where  it  went  into  winter  quarters, 
and  operated  against  the  numerous  bands  of  partisan  rangers. 
AVhil(!  thus  engaged,  the  regiment,  on  one  occasion,  sm-prised  and 
routed  Richardson's  command,  near  Covington,  Tenn.,  capturing 
their  entire  camp  equipage,  ammunition,  books,  papers,  etc.  Again, 
on  the  2i)th  of  March,  a  detachment  of  the  regiment  was  attacked, 
at  midnight,  by  a  superior  force,  and  although,  in  a  manner,  surprised 


HISTORY   OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY.  6D7 

by  a  murderous  volley  poured  into  them  while  still  sleeping,  the 
command  repulsed  the  enemy  with  effect.  For  the  gallantry  dis- 
played a  special  order  was  issued  by  Gen.  Smith,  complimenting 
the  officers  and  men.  In  this  engagement  Lieut.  Wilson  and  eight 
men  were  killed,  and  Lieutenants  Baker  and  Anderson  with  twenty- 
nine  men  were  wounded. 

In  April,  1863,  the  Sixth  Cavalry  was  engaged  in  Grierson's 
famous  expedition  through  Mississippi  and  Louisiana.  In  this  expe- 
dition the  regiment  traveled  about  800  miles,  was  engaged  a  num- 
ber of  times  with  the  enemy,  destroyed  a  vast  amount  of  property 
and  arrived  safely  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  2,  1863,  after  a  continu- 
ous march  of  seventeen  days.  In  June  and  July,  18(>3,  the  regiment 
operated  under  Gen.  Banks,  in  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson.  On  June 
2,  the  Sixth  Cavalry  formed  a  part  of  Col.  Grierson's  expedition  to 
Clinton,  La.,  and  on  the  following  day  had  a  heavy  engagement 
with  the  enemy,  returning  to  or  near  Port  Hudson,  La.,  June  4,  with 
a  loss  of  two  killed,  four  wounded  and  three  taken  prisoners.  Port 
Hudson  having  capitulated,  July  8,  1863,  the  regiment  embarked,  on 
the  lyth,  for  Memphis,  where  it  arrived  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
month.  In  Ausrust,  the  regiment  marched  to  Germantown,  Tenn., 
where  it  encamped  until  November  28,  1863,  when  it  participated  in 
Col.  Hatch's  expedition  to  Covington,  Tenn.;  then  to  Lagrange, 
there  encountering  Gen.  Forrest's  forces.  A  sharp  engagement 
ensued,  but  discovering  the  enemy  was  flanking  around  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Moscow,  the  expedition  was  ordered  to  Moscow,  where  it  htid 
a  heavy  engagement,  the  Sixth  Cavalry  sustaining  a  loss  of  live 
killed,  six  wounded  and  twenty  taken  prisoners  and  two  missing. 
The  enemy  was  finally  routed  and  driven  fifteen  miles,  the  regiment 
returning  to  Germantown,  Tenn.,  to  its  old  camps,  where  it  contin- 
ued operating  against  Generals  Forrest  and  Chalnier's  forces,  until 
February  17,  1864,  when  it  formed  a  part  of  Gen.  William  S-  vSinith's 
expedition  to  West  Point,  Miss.  At  this  point  the  regiment  took 
part  in  a  three  days'  engagement  with  Gen.  Forrest's  command  and 
returned  to  Germantown,  where  it  remained  in  camp  until  March 
30,  1864,  when  the  rc^giment  re-eulisted  as  veterans  and  was  ordered 
home  to  Illinois  on  furlough. 

May  11,  1864,  the  furlough  having  expired,  the  reghnent  rendez- 
voused at  Mattoon,  III.,  and  moved  thence  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where 
it  encamped  until  July.  Seven  companies  were  ordered  at  this  time 
to  CoUierville,  Tenn.,  to  guard  the  railroad  until  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's 
expedition  could  move  on  and  capture  Guntown,  Miss.    This  detach- 


698  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

ment  subsequently  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Memphis,  havins:  suf- 
fered, while  on  special  duty,  the  loss  of  Lieut.  E.  Ball,  killed,  and  two 
men  captured  while  on  patrol  duty  at  Collierville. 

In  Auirnst,  181)4:.  all  the  efiective  part  of  the  regiment  joined  in 
Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's  expedition  to  Oxford,  Miss.,  engaoing  the  enemy 
under  Gen.  Forrest  at  Hurricane  Creek,  Miss.,  and  suflcrinof  a  loss  of 
three  men  killed,  and  six  men  Avounded.  The  detachment  that  was 
left  at  the  camp,  at  Memphis,  participated  in  the  %ht  with  Forrest 
when  he  made  a  raid  on  that  place.  Col.  ]\I.  H.  Starr  was  mortally 
wounded  and  one  man  slio^htlv  wounded,  and  Lieut.  ]\Iiller  and  one 
man  captured  in  this  eno-ao-ement.  The  regiment  then  returned  to 
White  Station,  Tenn.,  where  it  encamped  until  the  1st  of  October, 
18()4,  when  it  composed  a  part  of  Gen.  Hatch's  expedition  to  march 
through  A\^est  Tennessee  to  Clifton  on  the  Tennessee  River.  There 
it  joined  Gen.  AVashburn's  expedition  of  infantry.  The  infantry  dis- 
embarked and  moved  in  the  direction  of  Lawrenceburg-,  Tenn.  Gen. 
Hatch's  division  of  cavalry  composed  the  advanced  guard.  After 
two  days' march  the  infantry  returned  to  Clifton,  and  the  cavalry 
moved  on  to  Lawrenceburg,  thence  to  Savannah,  Tenn.,  and  returned 
to  Clifton,  where  it  remained  for  a  few  days.  The  infantry  emliarked 
on  steamers  and  returned  to  ^Memphis.  Gen.  Hatch's  division  of  cav- 
ahy  moved  rapidly  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  where  it  encamped  for  a  few 
days.  On  its  arrival,  the  Sixth  Illinois  Cavalry  was  ordered  back 
on  a  two  days'  scout,  on  the  Clifton  road,  and  returned  to  the  com- 
mand at  Pulaski.  It  then  marched  with  the  division  down  on  Shoal 
Eiver,  near  Florence,  Ala.,  where  it  skirmished  daily  with  Gen. 
Hood's  forces,  while  they  were  crossing  the  Tennessee  River.  The 
division  fell  Ixick  in  advance  of  Hood,  to  Lawrenceburg,  where  it 
had  a  five  hours'  engagement  with  the  enemy,  and  then  fell  back  to 
Columbia.  After  crossing  the  Duck  River  the  command  halted  for 
a  few  days,  when  the  Sixth  Cavalry  was  ordered  to  move  rapidly  to 
ShclbyviUe,  Tenn.,  then  cross  Duck  River  and  move  twenty  miles 
down  the  river  and  cross  at  Pike  Ford,  and  return  to  tlie  connnand 
at  Columbia.  After  two  days'  march  the  regiment  arrived  at  Sh(d- 
byvilhs  and  on  the  third  day  reached  Pike  Ford.  On  arriving  there 
it  was  ascertained  that  Gen.  Forrest's  entire  connnand  had  cro.ssed 
the  river,  six  niile-s  below,  the  day  before.  By  this  time  the  rebel 
scouts  were  discovered  in  every  direction.  The  regiment  Ix'ing  then 
almost  in  the  re;ir  of  the  entire  rebel  forces,  the  only  chance  to 
escape  capture  or  annihilation  was  to  swim  the  river  and  cut  its  way 
through,  whicli  Avas  done  with  entire  success.     After  crossing   the 


#^*        '-<%r>.... 


f 


'7 


^Ji^i^,    d^i 


'^ 


HISTORY   OF   lUCHLAND   COUNTY.  701 

river,  the  march  was  resumed,  constantly  skirmisliiii""  with  the  rebel 
patrol  and  flankei-s.  After  marchinij-  eiofhtcen  miles,  the  regiment 
encamped,  so  near  the  enemy  that  their  fires  could  be  seen,  and 
they  could  be  heard  (•ho])pino-  wood.  Next  morning  the  regiment 
resumed  its  march  at  1  o'clock,  and  rejoined  the  command  at  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.,  at  10  o'clock  in  tlie  forenoon.  Its  loss  on  the  expedition 
was  eight  men  missino-.  The  battle  of  Franklin  bcofan  at  1  o'clock 
the  same  day,  in  which  the  regiment  took  an  active  part.  After  the 
battle  was  over  it  marched  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  with  the  command, 
where  it  arrived  about  the  last  of  November,  18(54. 

On  December  5,  1864,  the  regiment  was  ordered  on  an  expedi- 
tion to  Glasgow,  Kv.,  and  on  the  13th  returned  to  Nashville.  On 
the  following  day  the  Sixth  Cavalry  was  a  part  of  the  force  that 
charged  and  captured  the  first  two  redoubts,  and  nine  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, and  a  number  of  prisoners.  This  closed  the  first  day's  fight. 
On  the  second  day,  the  cavalry  Mas  remounted,  and  moved  on  the 
rig-lit  flank,  but  finding  the  country  too  rough,  was  compelled  to 
dismount  and  fight  on  foot;  and  while  the  infantry  engaged  the 
enemy  on  the  left  and  center,  the  cavalry  engaged  it  on  the  right. 
In  the  afternoon,  the  enemy's  lines  were  broken,  and  a  general  stam- 
pede ensued.  The  cavalry  was  again  remounted,  and  ordered  to  pur- 
sue the  encmv-  The  cavalry  had  another  engai>ement  about  dark, 
which  terminated  in  the  complete  route  of  the  enemy,  who  was  pur- 
sued to  Florence,  Ala.,  where  the  chase  was  abandoned.  From  this 
point  the  command  proceeded  to  Gravelly  Springs,  where  it 
encamped  until  February,  1865.  The  regiment  then  moved  to 
Eastport,  Miss.,  Avhere  it  remained  until  July  o,  1865,  when  it  was 
ordered  back  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Decatur.  From  the  lat- 
ter point  it  marched  with  Gen.  Hatch's  expedition  to  ]\Iontgomery> 
Ala.,  where  it  arrived  July  25,  18()5,  and  remained  until  the  last  of 
August,  when  it  moved  to  Demopolis,  Ala.,  remaining  there  six  days. 
The  regiment  was  then  divided,  six  companies  to  remain  and  six  to 
march  to  ^Montgomery  ;  renuiined  at  these  stations  until  the  last  of 
September,  1865,  when  the  six  companies  at  Montgomery  were 
divided  into  detachments.  Two  comi)anics  marched  to  Opelika, 
Ala.,  one  company  to  Tuskegee,  and  the  other  three  remained  at 
Montgomery.  November  1,  l.s(;5,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed to  Selma,  Ala.,  to  be  mustered  out  of  service,  which  occurred 
November  5,  1865.  It  was  at  once  ordered  to  Springfield.  III.,  for 
final  payment  and  discharire,  which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  the 
month. 


702  HISTORY   OF    HICIILAXD    COUNTY. 

The  regiments  recited  above  do  not  include  all  that  drew  vol- 
unteers from  Kichland  Count3\  X  considerable  number  of  men 
went  out  in  other  companies  whose  principal  strength  was  recruited 
in  the  neighboring  counties.  Of  these,  the  principal  ones  are:  Com- 
pany B,  of  the  Twenty-First  Infantry;  Company  H,  of  the  Sixtieth; 
Company  II,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth;  Company  E,  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fift^^-Fourth,  and  Company  F,  of  the  Fifth 
Cavalry.  In  the  Iiventy-First  Illmois  Infantry,  Richland  County 
contributed  a  large  number  to  Company  B.  Jasper  County 
may  justly  claim  the  organization,  as  it  gave  the  officers,  and  in 
Part  III.  of  this  volume  will  be  found  a  complete  roll,  and  an 
extended  account  of  its  activities  during  its  time  of  enlistment.  It 
will  not  be  out  of  place,  however,  to  notice  it  brieflv  here.  The  ree- 
iment  was  recruited  wliolly  within  the  area  covered  by  the  Seventh 
Congressional  District  of  that  date.  It  was  rendezvoused  at  Mat- 
toon,  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  on  the  2Hth  of 
June,  1<SG1,  after  first  being  mustered  into  the  State  service 
for  thirty  days-  It  was  mustered  by  Capt.  U.  S.  Grant,  who  subse- 
quently became  its  Colonel,  and  later  rose  through  the  various  ranks 
to  General,  and  as  President,  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Array  and  Navy.  This  regiment  was  ordered  to  repair  to  Quincy, 
and  for  the  discipline  of  the  men  the  Colonel  conceived  the  idea  of 
marching  them  to  their  destination,  and  the  regiment  actually  made 
the  distance  to  a  point  beyond  the  Illinois,  when  further  orders 
changed  its  destination.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1861,  the  regiment 
marched  for  Missouri;  on  the  22d,  arrived  at  Mexico,  then  by  rail 
to  Ironton  ;  thence,  in  October,  to  Fredericktown,  where  it  go* 
into  its  first  fight  In  January,  1SG2,  the  Twenty-First  took  i)art  in 
Gen.  Steele's  expedition  to  Jacksonport,  Ark.,  and  thence  to  Corinth. 
On  the  evacuation  of  that  place  the  regiment  joined  in  the  pursuit 
of  the  enemy  as  far  as  Booneville,  Miss.,  when  it  returned  and 
formed  a  part  of  the  expedition  to  Holly  Springs.  In  Augnst,  of 
1862,  it  was  ordered  to  join  Bucirs  army  in  Tennessee,  and  arrived 
at  Louisville  after  a  long  march,  Se[)tember  27,  18(52.  The  regi- 
ment at  once  set  out  on  the  campaign  against  Bragg,  participat- 
ing in  the  fights  of  Perryville,  and  Chaplin  Hills.  From  thence  its 
route  led  to  Crab  Tree  Orchard  and  Bowling  Green  to  Nashville, 
Tenn.  In  the  Chickamauga  campaign  the  Twenty-First  did  gallant 
service,  and  was  severely  handled  at  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro. 
The  regiment  followed  the  fortiuies  of  this  army  through  its  career, 
and  Avas  subsequently  ordered  to  Texas,  and  was  mustered  out  at  San 


IIISTOIIY    OF    KICIILAND    COUNTY.  70S 

Antonio,  Texas,  December  Ki,  1<S()5,  but  was  not  finally  paid  and  dis- 
charged until  January  18,  18(j(3. 

SixfietJt  lUinois  Infantry. — Ot*  this  regiment,  Company  II  was 
made  u[)  of  volunteers  from  Union  and  Richland  counties,  the  latter 
bein<>-  rei)rescnted  by  some  thirty  men.  with  a  few  in  other  compa- 
nies of  the  regiment.  The  Sixtieth  Illinois  Infantry  was  organized 
at  Camp  Dubois,  at  Anna,  III.,  February  17,  1802.  It  was  ordered 
a  week  later  to  Cairo,  and  on  March  14,  to  Island  No.  10.  .Vfter  the 
surtender  the  regiment  returned  to  Columl^us  and  thence  to  Cairo. 
In  May,  it  moved  np  the  Tennessee  River  to  Hamburg  Landing,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  Army  of  the 
Mississippi.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and 
in  the  subsequent  pursuit  of  the  enemy  beyond  Booneville.  It  then 
retnrned  and  camped  at  Big  Springs,  three  miles  from  Corinth,  until 
July  21,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Tuscumbia,  Ala.,  and  thence  to 
Nashville.  Here  it  remained  during  the  investment  of  the  city,  all 
communications  being  cut  oft'  nntil  the  8th  of  November.  During 
this  time  the  regiment  had  some  severe  experiences,  both  from  the 
lack  of  supplies  and  the  persistent  attacks  of  the  enemy.  In  Decem- 
ber it  was  transferred  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Fourth 
Army  Corps.  Januarys,  1863,  it  had  a  lively  skirmish  with  Wheeler, 
repulsing  him,  and  after  the  battle  of  ]\Iurfreesboro,  in  which  it  took 
part,  it  returned  to  Nashville.  In  July,  the  Sixtieth  moved  to  ]\Inrf- 
reesboro,  and  thence  in  August,  via  Columbia,  Athens,  Ilnntsville 
and  Stevenson  to  Dallas,  Tenn.  The  regiment  was  here  assigned  to 
the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  and 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Chattanooga  and  the  memorable 
march  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.  The  ragged  and  foot-sore  regiment 
arrived  again  lilt  Chattanooga,  December  24,  and  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Rossville.  In  February,  1864,  three-fourths  of  the  regi- 
ment having  re-enlisted  as  veteran  volunteers,  was  mustered,  and  a 
few  days  later  took  part  in  the  reconnoissance  toward  Dalton,  Ga., 
which  resulted  in  the  battle  of  Buzzard's  Roost,  in  which  the  Six- 
tieth lost  heavily,  forty-two  being  killed  or  wounded.  On  INIarch 
6,  the  regiment  was  ordered  home  on  veteran  furlough. 

On  the  expiration  of  the  furlough,  the  regiment  proceeded  via 
Louisville,  Nashville,  and  Chattanooga,  to  Rossville.  On  May  2,  began 
the  Atlantic  campaign,  the  Sixtieth  i)articipating  in  the  battles  of 
Ringgold,  Dalton, Resaca,  Rome,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Nickajack,  Peach  Tree  (  Veek,  Atlanta  and  Joneslmro.  The 
regiment  was  complimented  by  division  and  corps  connnandcrs  for 


704  HISTORY'   OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

its  gallantrv  at  Jonesboro.  Durino-  the  laroer  part  of  September, 
1864,  the  regiment  remained  in  camp  at  Atlanta,  when  it  moved  by 
rail  via  Athens,  Ala.,  to  Florence.  Here  it  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy,  driA'ing  him  across  the  Tennessee  Eiver.  Thence  the  regi- 
ment moved  to  Chattanooga;  marched  from  Lafayette,  Ga.,  to  Gales- 
burg,  Ala.,  and  from  there  to  Atlanta  via  Eome,  Kingston,  Carter- 
ville  and  Marietta.  November  16,  the  regiment  marched  from 
Atlanta,  on  the  Augusta  road,  via  Covington,  Milledgeville,  Sanders- 
ville,  Louisville,  and  thence  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  arriving  at  the  oifter 
defenses,  December,  11,  1864.  During  the  march  the  regiment 
foraged  liberally  off  the  country,  and  captured  many  mules  and 
horses,  besides  the  negroes  that  left  the  plantations  to  follow  every 
part  of  the  army.'  December  21,  1864,  the  Sixtieth  entered  Savan- 
nah, and  on  January  20,  it  broke  camp  and  marched  via  Sisters 
Ferry,  Barnwell,  Lexington,  Columbia,  Winnsboro,  Chesterfield,  and 
Hanging  Rock  in  South  Carolina,  and  Lafayetteville,  Averysboro, 
and  Bentonville,  to  Goldsboro,  N.  C  The  regiment  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Averysboro,  and  Bentonville,  the  first  clay  of  the  latter 
fight  being  as  severe  as  any  in  Avhich  the  regiment  was  ever  engaged, 
at  one  time  it  being  surrounded  on  all  sides,  but  behaving  gallantly 
under  the  disadvantageous  circumstances.  April  10,  the  Sixtieth 
marched  to  Raleigh,  where  it  remained  until  Johnson's  sm-render, 
when  it  marched  to  Richmond  and  Washington  City,  participating 
in  the  grand  revicAv  of  May  24,  1865.  June  12,  it  proceeded  to 
Louisville,  and  there  performed  duty  as  provost  guard,  until  July  31, 
when  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  and  proceeded  to  Camp 
Butler,  III.,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtietli  Illinois  Infantry. — The  Adjutant- 
General's  report  from  which  the  sketches  of  these  vegiments  are 
principally  drawn,  has  been  little  information  in  reference  to  this 
regiment.  Company  H  was  officered  from  Richland  County,  and 
some  thirty  of  the  men  were  residents  of  this  county.  Its  officei-s 
were:  J.  R.Johnson,  Capfoiin;  First  Lieutenants,  Joel  Gardner  and 
C.  S.  Cmry;  Second  Lieutenants,  John  Blew  and  C.  S.  Crary.  This 
regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  October,  1862, 
and  Avas  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  on  the2r)th  of  Octo- 
ber. It  moved  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  on  the  18tli  of  November,  Avherc 
it  was  assigiu'd  to  provost  duty.  It  Avas  mustered  out  of  service  in 
August,  18()r),  at  NcAv  Orleans,  and  returned  to  Illinois,  Avhere  it 
received  final  jiayment  and  discharge,  August  26,  1865.  The  meagre 
record  l  found  in  the  Adjutant-General's  Rei)orts,  docs  injustice  to  the 


HISTOIIY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY'.  705 

services  of  this  regiment,  but  this  arises,  probably,  from  the  neglect 
of  the  proper  officer  to  give  the  data  to  the  State  authorities.  Such, 
information  as  could  be  gathered  from  the  resources  at  command 
Avill  bo  found  in  Part  III.  of  this  volume. 

One  lliDi'lred  and  tiffy-Fourth  lUinois  Infantry. — Company 
E  o'f  this  reofiment  was  orijanized  of  volunteers  from  Lawrence  and 
liichland  counties,  the  latter  giving  the  Captain,  and  the  other  giv- 
ing both  Lieutenants.  The  officers  were,  Captain,  F.  A.  Johns;  First 
Lieutenant,  J.  H.  Wright;  Second  Lieutenant,  G.  B.  Danfortli.  This 
regiment  was  organized  at  C.imp  Butler,  Illinois,  and  mustered  into 
the  one  year  service  February  '12, 1865.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
Fourth  at  once  left  by  rail  for  Louisville,  Ky.,  thenca  to  Nashville, 
where  it  was  detained  by  high  Avater  until  March  2,  and  then  went 
forward  to  Murfreesboro.  Here  the  regiment  spent  the  time  drill- 
ing and  doing  guard  and  picket  duty.  Fresh  from  the  protection 
and  comforts  of  home,  it  sufl'ered  very  much  from  the  exposure  of 
cold  rains,  and  sickness  prevailed  to  a  great  extent,  many  of  the  men 
dying  from  this  effect.  In  ^lay,  the  regiment  marched  to  Tullahoma, 
where  it  remained  about  a  month.  It  then  returned  to  Nashville, 
where  it  was  assigned  to  picket,  guard,  and  garrison  duty,  and  many 
of  the  officers  on  courts-martial  and  military  commissions;  Col.  McL. 
F.  Wood,  comniandinsr  the  re2:inient,  died  Aug-ust  6,  while  Com- 
mander  of  the  Post.  The  Surijeon  of  the  reoiment  Avas  also  a  vie- 
tim  of  disease  while  stationed  here.  September  18,  18(55,  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  and  ordered  home  to  Illinois  for 
final  payment  and  disclrirge,  which  occurred  on  the  29th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1805,  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois. 

Fiflh  Illinois  Cavalry. — Both  Jasper  and  Cumberland  counties 
contributed  men  to  this  regiment,  and  Richland  Count}',  while  not 
giving  officers  to  any  company,  gave  about  a  third  of  the  file  of  Com- 
pany F,  and  several  representatives  to  other  companies  of  the  regi- 
ment. A  fuller  sketch  of  the  regiment  may  be  found  elsewhere,  but 
it  is  deemed  proper  to  give  a  concise  statement  of  the  regiment's 
service  here.  The  Fifth  Cavalry  was  organized  in  Novemb?r,  1861. 
From  the  home  camp  it  was  ordered  to  Saint  Louis,  where  it  occu- 
pied Benton  Barracks  for  some  two  weeks,  and  then  moved  to  Pilot 
Knob.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  month  it  moved  to  Doniphan,  where 
Mt  first  met  the  enemy,  capturing  his  camp  and  inflicting  a  slight 
loss.  In  June  it  was  ordered  to  join  Curtis'  army  at  Jacksonport, 
and  thence  i)roceed  to  Helena.  At  this  point,  the  regiment  was 
employed  in  foraging,  scouting,  and  fighting  Marmaduke.     ]May  29, 


706  HISTORY   OF    RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

1863,  it  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  Lindino-  at  Snyder's  Bliift'.  From 
this  point,  on  June  3,  it  made  a  reconnoissance  to  Mechanicsburg, 
skirmishing  heavily  with  the  enemy  for  ten  miles  in  a  running  fight, 
which  resulted  in  a  set  fight  and  a  victory  for  the  Federal  troops. 
In  July,  the  Fifth  Cavalry  moved  with  Sherman's  army  against  Jack- 
son, and  with  the  brigade  to  which  it  was  attached,  made  a  success- 
ful raid  to  Canton  and  back.  In  August  it  participated  in  another 
raid  to  Grenada,  Miss.,  in  which  bridges,  railroad  track  and  stock 
were  destroyed  to  a  large  extent.  Some  forty  engines  and  320  cars 
were  burned  from  inability  to  remove  them  on  account  of  burned 
bridges.  The  expedition  returned  to  Memphis,  but  a  week  later, 
embarked  for  Vicksburg  and  camped  at  Black  River  until  May,  1864, 
when  it  moved  to  the  city  of  Vicksburg.  In  October  the  regiment 
took  part  in  the  movement  on  Jackson,  under  Gen.  McPherson;  took 
part  in  a  cavalry  charge,  at  Brownsville,  routing  the  rebel,  Gen.  Wirt 
Adams.  January  1,  1864,  many  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  vet- 
erans, and  after  taking  part  in  Sherman's  ^Meridian  raid,  were  fur- 
loughed.  The  veterans  retin-ned  in  May,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  month,  eight  companies  were  dismounted.  Companies  A,  B,  C 
and  D,  were  fully  mounted  and  equipped.  This  battalion  was  then 
employed  in  an  expedition  to  Jackson,  under  Gen.  Dennis;  in  a  raid 
down  the  river,  landing  at  Port  Gibson,  Natchez,  Tonica  Beud,  and 
thence  across  to  Woodville,  coming  in  contact  with  various  bodies  of 
the  enemy  and  routing  them.  A  month  after  its  return  to  Vicks- 
burg from  the  latter  raid,  it  was  sent  out  to  destroy  the  Mississippi 
Central  Railroad,  by  which  Hood  was  receiving  his  supplies,  and  was 
eminently  successful.  January,  186.5,  the  battalion  moved  to  ]Mem- 
phis,  from  which  place  it  shared  in  an  expedition  to  southern  Arkan- 
sas and  northern  Louisiana,  returning  in  February.  After  an  expe- 
dition to  Ripley,  Miss.,  it  was  assigned  to  guarding  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  Railroad.  In  July,  the  battalion  was  sent  to  Texas,  and 
was  assigned  to  post  duty  at  Hempstead,  where  it  remained  until 
October  6,  I860,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  final 
payment  and  discharge.     It  was  mustered  out  October  27,  1865. 

A  recent  Soldiers'  Reunion  held  in  Olne}^  left  an  unexpended 
balance  of  money  subscribed  by  the  citizens,  and  it  is  proposed  to 
constitute  it  as  a  nucleus  of  a  fund  to  procure  a  monument  to  com- 
memorate the  soldiers  of  Richland  County,  who  lost  thei-e  lives  in 
the  war  of  the  Rel)ellion.  This  balance  is  only  $300 — but  the  proj- 
ect has  received  such  practical  encouragement  that  there  is  little 
doubt  of  its  ultimate  success.     Philip  Heltman  is  a  prime  mover  in 


HISTORY    OF    KICHLAND    COUNTY.  707 

the  enterprise,  and  a  connnittee,  consisting  of  Gen.  Eli  Bover  Will 

r  ;r'  t;'  ""•  ^'  ''^^"'  ^""^^  ^^^^  '-^^^i^^"^^-^  ^^  t^^ke  d.;rge  of 

S3  000     R  M  '^^r^r^^^  ^«  ^^-^^t  ^^  monmnent  worth  some  $2,000  or 

p!;      Irn      \^;    '  ^''"'  1''"^'"''^^  *^  P^«^^^^^«  *J^^   foundation,  and 
Peter  McDonald  has  guaranteed  $100,  while  other  assurances  of  sub- 

scnpt,onare  not  wanting  to  pron.ise  a  speedy  realization  of  the  com- 
niittee  s  plans. 


708  HISTORY    OF   lUCHLAXD    COUNTY. 


VILLAGE  GROAVTH. 


T 


IIEKE  Avcre  few  natural  advantages  in  this  county  to  mark  the 
groAvth  of  a  village  beyond  that  of  the  site  chosen  for  the  county- 
seat.  Before  the  organization  of  the  county,  therefore,  there  was 
little  attempt  made  in  this  direction.  The  first  settlements  were 
made,  as  was  usually  the  case  at  that  time  in  isolated  communities, 
and  some  one  generally  put  on  foot  some  sort  of  a  mercantile  enter- 
prise, and  subsequently  villages  were  foiuided  that  had  a  name  to 
live,  a  few  of  which  still  retain  the  semblance  of  early  prosperity. 
The  earliest  of  these  ventures  was  Watertown,  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Fox  Kiver.  The  site  chosen  was  probably  the  most 
promising  in  this  region  at  that  time;  The  trace  road  was  the  great 
thoroughtare  from  the  east  to  the  west,  and  the  river  promised  a 
ready  means  of  reaching  the  great  southern  markets,  which  Avas  the 
goal  of  all  the  early  surplus  product  of  the  time.  This  village  was 
laid  out  in  1837,  by  Amos  Bullard,  and  consisted  of  twenty-nine 
lots,  laid  off  on  either  side  of  the  Trace  road  and  crossed  by  Fox 
Street.  The  exact  location  of  this  early  metropolis  was  on  the  west 
half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  5,  Township  3  north,  of 
Range  10  east.  But  few  improvements  seem  to  havebeen  made 
Lots  were  disposed  of  to  various  persons,  living  all  over  the  county, 
and  it  may  be  supposed  that  the  proprietor  may  have  had  an  idea 
that  this  territory  Avould  eventually  be  formed  into  an  independent 
county,  aud  his  plat  might  furnish  the  site  of  tlie  new  county-seat. 
Whatever  the  truth  may  be  iu  this  regard,  the  widespread  interest 
in  this  paper  village  came  near  achieving  this  result.  In  the  year 
following  its  original  platting,  the  proprietor  and  Moses  Johnson 
platted  an  addition  of  some  eighteen  blocks,  "  in-lots  66  feet  north 
and  south,  by  49^  feet  east  and  west.  ]Main  Street  was  Gi]  feet  wide, 
Stantz,  Wickcrsham,  Butler,  Bnllard,  Bogard.  Nelson,  and  Grape, 
were  41)^  feet  wide;  Vino  and  Cherry  alleys  16^  feet  wide;  out-lots 
of  all  sizes."  After  the  decision  upon  the  site  of  the  county-seat, 
AVatertown  languislicd  and  finally  returned  to  its  original  rustic  sim- 
plicity. 

OIney. — Without  exception,  the  competing  points  for  the  loca- 
tion of  the  seat  of  justice  were  only  prospective  villages.  Water- 
town  being  ostensibly  an  exception,  and  it  was  not  until  sometime 
after  the  organization  of  the  county,  tliat  Olney  assumed  the  legal 


f^ 


'4^ 


i 


/^  Jp.  Q.  ii//iy/^  ^  ^. 


i 


I 


HISTOIJV    OF    RICIILAXI)    COUNTY.  711 

stutus  of  a  vill:ii»-o.  Aiuoiii^'  the  earliest  acts  of  the  new  lioard  of 
Commissionors  was  an  order  directing  that  the  eonnty-seat  should 
he  laid  oft"  according- to  the  plan  of  Lot  Basden,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  1841  this  was  acconiplishecl,  the  plat  providing  f(n- some  fifty 
lots  besides  the  public  square.  The  donation  of  land  consisted  of 
six  acres  on  the  north  side  of  the  old  Trace  road,  now  Main  Street, 
and  seven  acres  by  Hiram  Barney,  on  the  south  side  of  the  street, 
and  tiic  whole  town  had  a  frontaoe  on  ]Main  Street  of  the  distance 
from  the  (/onunercial  Hotel  to  Whittle  Avenue.  Tiie  original  dona- 
tion was  not  intended  or  calculated  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  even 
a  small  town,  and  considerable  additions  were  made  in  1<S41.  The 
original  plat  shows  Butler,  York,  ]Main,  ^Market  and  Toledo  streets, 
each  sixty  feet  wide,  save  ]\rain  Street,  which  is  eighty.  Tlnn-e  was 
not  a  resident  on  the  villasfe  i)lat,  though  there  were  several  living 
on  the  several  sides.  Hiram  Barney  lived  on  the  site  of  the  Com- 
mercial Hotel  adjoining  the  plat;  William  Elliott  lived  on  the  Trace 
road  east  of  the  village,  and  north  of  the  plat  lived  William  and 
Thomas  EUinsworth.  The  lots  were  ordered  sold  at  once  b}^  the 
Commissioners,  and  a  good  number  were  disposed  of  at  prices  that 
w^ould  bear  sad  comparison  with  the  ruling  rates  of  to-day.  But  at 
these  prices,  the  county  authorities  w^ere  several  years  disposing  of  the 
fifty-nine  lots  in  the  donation.  The  object  of  the  donors  was  to  make 
the  surrounding  property  marketable  at  a  good  price,  and  the  county 
had  scarcely  brought  their  donation  into  market  before  the  Kced, 
Elliott  and  Lilley  additions  brought  some  oOO  lots  in  competition. 
This  sufficed,  however,  until  1849,  the  village  in  the  meanwhile  gain- 
in<>'  some  inhabifcints  and  ])usiness. 

The  first  house  after  the  town  was  laid  out  Avas  erected  by  T. 
W-  Lillej^for  Henry  Williams,  who  never  occupied  it,  though  he  had 
arranged  to  come«to  Olney  at  the  time.  This  building  was  subse- 
quently occui)ied  by  Peter  Prunty  as  a  saloon,  and  still  later  it 
served  as  a  hotel,  known  as  the  Griffin  House.  It  stood  on  Whittle 
Avenue,  and  was  removed  in  the  fall  of  1874.  The  first  dwelling*^ 
house  in  the  village,  proper,  was  built  in  the  following  winter,  and 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  Carrother's  residence.  John  ]\r.  Wilson  was 
constructively  the  first  resident  of  the  village  of  Olney.  He  was  at 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  count}'  a  resident  of  White 
County  and  was  ap[)ointed  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  by  his  uncle, 
the  presiding  Judge.  His  residence  was  supposed  to  be  at  the  coun- 
ty-sejit,  though  for  some  time  he  had  his  office  in  the  store  of  H. 
Gunn  &  Sons,  and  boarded  with  Thomas  W.  Lilley.     TheneAV  town 

43 


712  HISTORY    OF    K1C111.AND    COUNTY. 


<li(l  not  long  go  bo^frinir  for  citizens.  The  older  towns  abont  all  had 
a  surplus  of  enterprisius:  citizens  who  were  read}' to  take  advantage 
of  the  opportunities  ottered  l)y  the  establishing  of  a  new  county 
town.  Business  men  from  the  various  towns  about  came  in,  and  a 
<-onsiderable  inunigration  from  the  Pvast  came  in,  who  by  their  thrift 
gave  the  village  an  enviable  reputatiou  far  and  near.  This  immi- 
gration came  alwut  1^43  or  1844,  and  settled  in  the  western  part  of 
the  village,  which  was  locally  called  Lower  A^ermont.  This  colony 
contained  the  social  aristocracy  of  the  village,  and  by  their  example 
and  inrtueuce  gained  for  the  town  the  name  of  "the  painted  town," 
from  the  fact  that  a  larger  part  of  the  residences  of  the  village  were 
painted  white,  a  feature  in  so  marked  contrast  with  the  general  cus- 
tom of  pioneer  towns,  that  it  could  not  fail  to  challenge,  even  the 
mere  casual  observation.  The  growth  of  population  was  slow,  but 
constant  imtil  about  1855,  when  the  opening  of  the  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi Railroad  gave  it  an  impetus  that  has  brought  it  to  its  pres- 
ent development,  and  a  population  of  4,100,  by  the  local  enumera- 
tion of  this  year.  A  daughter  of  Jbnas  Spangler,  born  in  the  fall 
of  1841,  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  child  born  after  the  laying 
out  of  the  village,  while  ]Mary,  the  daughter  of  Henry  Spring,  Esq., 
was  the  next  birth,  some  time  in  the  year  1842.  The  general  devel- 
opment may  be  approximately  estimated  from  the  growth  of  the 
plat  as  denoted  by  the  various  additions.  Up  to  1849,  the  original 
plat  with  the  various  additions  formed  an  irregular  figure  something 
after  the  letter  Z,  but  at  this  date  the  coming  of  the  railroad  began 
to  cast  its  shadow  before,  and  Elliott  platted  a  second  addition,  and 
Judge  Kitchell  his  first.  In  1853,  Elliott  platted  his  third  additix>n 
and  Judge  Kitchell  his  second,  including  his  generous  donation  of 
the  school  lot;  in  1855,  Ridgeway's  and   Newell    Bros.'  addition,  in 

1856,  Elliott's  fourth  addition,  and  Lilley's  second  addition,   and  in 

1857,  Baldwin's  plat  of  East  Olnc}''  were  made.  From  this  time  for- 
ward, additions  Avere  made  yearly;  Lilley's  third,  in  1857;  Kitchell's 
third,  in  1858.  In  1859,  A.  L.  Byers,  Baird  heirs,  A.  L.  and  R.  Bj^ers, 
Hannon,  Kitchell  and  Ritlgeway,  each  made  additions.  In  18G1, 
Lilley's  fourth  addition  was  made;  in  1864,  Harris  &  Eidson's  first 
and  the  Powers'  heirs;  in  1805,  T.  W.  Lilley,  C.  C  Collins,  Harris  & 
Eidson,  and  J.  V.  Wilson  made  additions.  In  186(5,  five  additions 
were  made,  one  in  1870,  three  in  1874,  four  in  1875,  one  in  1876,  two 
in  1877,  three  in  1878,  and  one  in  1880  and  each  year  since.  In  the 
midst  of  all  these  additions  the  little  original  plat  is  almost  buried 
out  of  siirht. 


mSTOKY    OF    TJirilLANI)    COUNTY.  713 

With  the  opening"  of  the  village  tor  settlement,  business  at 
once  tooiv  a  vigorous  start.  H.  Gunn  &  Sons,  were  <loin<j:  business 
iit  several  points  in  White  County,  and  no  sooner  was  this  town 
established  than  this  enterprising  firm  opened  ii[)  a  branch  store 
here  in  charge  of  Samuel  H.  Giuni,  wiio  still  survives  to  relate  the 
incidents  of  that  day.  Their  store  building  was  ererted  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Fair  streets,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  H.  Stauf- 
fer's  store.  This  was  erected  in  the  fall  of  1841.  Early  in  the  fol- 
lowing year,  Henry  Spring  came  from  Albion  and  started  his  busi- 
ness in  a  tcm[)orary  frame  structure  which  stood  where  Norwood's 
store  now  is.  There  was  nothing  but  green  lumber  to  be  had,  and 
in  attempting  to  dry  it  enough  to  answer  the  purpose  for  which  it 
was  intended,  the  rude  kiln  took  fire  and  nearly  wrecked  the  enter- 
prise by  destroying  a  part  of  the  lumber.  Soon  after  the  business 
community  was  reinforced  by  the  addition  of  A.  L.  Byers,  who  opened 
a  store  on  the  north  side  of  the  street  in  the  same  vicinity.  About 
1845,  William  Newell  and  Andrew  Darling  went  into  business  here, 
purchasing  Gunn's  store  and  business,  the  latter  clerking  with  the 
new  firm  for  a  year.  Gunn  then  went  into  business  on  his  own 
account,  and  these  four  firms  did  the  principal  part  of  the  commer- 
cial transactions  of  the  town.  The  country  about  was  a  rich 
agricultural  region,  and  Olney,  situated  on  the  great  east  and 
west  thorou<>hfare  of  this  section  of  the  State,  became  the 
business  center  of  this  re^-ion.  These  stores  handled  all 
lines  of  goods  and  took  from  the  farmers  all  kinds  of  mer- 
chantable produce.  About  1843  or  184.J,  all  but  Mr.  Spring 
began  to  handle  pork  extensively,  slaughtering  and  packing 
it  here  in  the  village,  and  shipping  it  in  flatboats  at  Watertown  by 
Avay  of  the  Fox,  Wabash,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  New  Orleans. 
For  some  years  this  trade  proved  quite  protital)le,  but  the  river  be- 
came obstructed  by  mill-dams  and  the  building  of  the  railroad 
brought  in  a  ruinous  competition  that  put  an  end  to  the  business, 
though  not  until  the  firms  engaged  had  lost  more  or  less  heavily. 
There  was  no  marked  improvement  in  the  business  portion  of  the 
town,  notwithstiinding  the  prosperous  trade,  until  about  18(50.  In 
this  year  the  post-office  block,  on  the  north  side  of  Main,  between 
Whittle  Avenue  and  Silver  Street,  was  erected  by  Samuel  H. 
Gunn  at  a  cost  of  about  $10,000  for  lot  and  building,  and  was  the 
pioneer  structure  of  the  modern  business  part.  Since  then  the  evi- 
dence of  wealth  has  been  more  displayed  in  the  business  and  residence 
buildings,  the  three-story  opera  house  building  and  the  residence  of 


714  HISTORY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY. 

E.  S.  Wilson  being  the  leading  features  of  the  town  in  this  respect- 
In  1875,  the  business  of  the  city  was  generally  classified  under  the 
following  enumeration:  "  Eight  large  dry-goods  stores,  six  notion 
and  millinery  stores,  four  hardware  and  tin  stores,  six  boot  and  shoe 
establishments,  three  job-printing  offices,  and  four  hotels."  To  this 
should  he  added  two  furniture  stores,  three  or  four  drug  stores,  one 
of  which  combines  the  manufacture  of  cigars,  and  does  some  $00,000 
worth  of  business  annually;  two  banks,  furniture  factory,  a  spring 
clothes-pin  factory,  the  only  one  west  of  the  Alleghenies;  a  hub  and 
spoke  factory,  woolen  factory,  two  large  flouring  mills,  a  pork  pack- 
ing establishment,  a  large  number  of  groceries,  a  restaurant  and 
nine  saloons.  Fair  Street  is  the  site  of  the  finer  residences  of  the 
town,  and  Chiu'ch  Street  is  the  site  of  the  majority  of  the  places 
of  public  worship.  Ten  denominations  are  represented  in  the  city, 
all  of  which  are  provided  with  good  structures,  some  brick,  and  the 
rest  fine  wooden  buildings.  The  court  house  and  schoolhouse  add  to 
the  fine,  general  appearance  of  the  town,  which  bears  out  its  early 
reputation  for  thrift  and  neatness.  In  February,  1873,  the  Olney 
Public  Libraiy  Association  was  established,  and  through  the  eflbrts 
of  T.  W.  Hutchinson,  Fred.  Beck,  E.  S.  Wilson,  J.  AV.  Eidson,  J.  L. 
Campbell,  William  Bower,  William  Rhode,  Samuel  McClure,  H. 
Marshall,  J.  A.  Marshall,  T.  Edmistou  and  others,  a  library  of  some 
1,800  well-selected  volumes  was  founded.  It  is  fairly  patronized, 
and  is  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  community. 

From  1841  to  1847  the  village  had  no  special  organization.  In 
the  latter  year  a  village  organization  was  secured,  and  the  earliest 
records  recite  the  facts  as  follows:  "  After  taking  the  preliminary 
legal  steps  which  are  filed  of  record,  the  legal  voters  of  said  town 
met  at  the  court  house  on  the  31st  of  August,  1847,  and  selected  as 
Trustees  of  said  town,  Henry  Si>ring,  Lewis  Sawyer,  Peter  G.  Terry, 
William  Elliott,  and  Benjamin  F.  Heap.  The  said  Trustees  met  at 
the  oflice  of  N.  D.  Jay,  in  the  town  of  Olney,  on  the  18th  day  of 
September,  1847,  and  on  motion  of  Lewis  Sawyer,  Henry  Spring 
was  elected  President,  who  took  the  chair,  and  the  Trustees  pro- 
ceeded to  ])usiness  and  appointed^J.  ]M.  Wilson,  Clerk;  P.  G.  Terry, 
Treasurer;  and  Hiram  Barne}^  Constable;  N.  D.  Ja}',  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  administering  the  legal  oaths."  At  this  meeting  the  first 
ordinances  were  passed  as  follows:  "  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Trustees 
of  the  town  of  Olney,  that  the  corporate  limits  of  said  town  shall 
contain  one  square  mile,  the  court  house  being  the  center  thereof. 
2.     That  the  town  Constable  shall'give  bond,  with  suflicient  secur- 


IIISTOUY    OF    RICHLAND    COUNTY.  715 

ity,  to  be  approved  of  and  filed  with  the  Clerk,  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  his  duties,  in  the  sum  of  $50.  3.  The  Treasurer 
shall  give  bond  and  security,  to  be  filed  with  and  approved  of  by 
the  Clerk,  in  the  sum  of  $200.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  town 
Constable  to  execute  all  writs,  processes  and  precepts  which  may  be 
issued  against  persons  for  a  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  corporation, 
and  to  arrest,  on  view  or  information,  all  persons  who  may  violate 
such  laws,  and  to  collect  all  lines,  forfeitures  and  penalties  which 
may  be  assessed  or  recovered  for  the  use  of  the  corporation,  and  that  he 
shall  have  full  autliority  to  summon  any  number  of  citizens  of  said 
town  that  he  ma}^  require  to  aid  in  the  service  of  process,  or  the 
arrest  of  oft'enders,  and  any  person  refusing,  or  neglecting  to  lend 
his  aid  when  required  so  to  do,  shall  be  fined  $1  for  each  offense, 
Said  Constable  shall  receive  such  fees  as  are  allowed  in  similar  cases 
under  the  sfcitutesof  Illinois.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treas- 
urer to  receive  and  disburse  all  the  funds  of  the  corporation  that 
may  arise  either  from  taxation  or  otherwise,  and  to  report  the  state 
of  the  treasury  at  each  (juarterly  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  but  he 
shall  in  no  case  pay  out  any  money,  unless  on  an  order  made  by 
the  Trustees  at  a  meeting  of  that  body."  At  the  second  meeting, 
the  usual  ordinances  were  made  to  abate  nuisances,  against  running 
horse  races  in  the  streets,  or  betting  on  the  same,  against  fast  driv- 
ing, to  punish  public  immorality,  against  fighting,  providing  for  a 
license  for  whisky  vendors  and  peddlers,  for  the  observance  of  Sun- 
day, and  to  restrict  each  person  to  only  one  dog,  and  the  Justices 
residing  in  the  town  were  requested  to  take  cognizance  of  the  in- 
fringement of  these  laws.  One  may  gather  from  these  laws  consid- 
erable information  as  to  the  general  habits  of  the  early  community. 
They  confirm  the  statement  of  the  older  residents  as  to  the  i)rimi- 
tive  customs  of  the  village.  Saturday  afternoons  were  general  holi- 
days, when  the  farmers  gathered  into  the  county-seat,  and  each  souirht 
to  amuse  himself  in  his  own  way.  Whisky  was  found  everywhere 
and  so  cheap  that  even  in  that  day,  when  few  were  well-to-do,  all 
could  use  it  as  a  luxury.  While  the  general  mass  were  not  driven 
by  a  desperate  appetite  for  drink,  they  almost  universally  drank  on 
these  occasions,  and  then  repaired  to  some  convenient  place  lo  pitch 
quoits,  run  their  horses,  or  contend  in  some  athletic  contest.  Some- 
times a  friendly  bout  of  fisti-cufls  varied  the  usual  programme  and 
seldom  did  the  day  pass  without  a  serious  fight  or  two.  The  senti- 
ment of  the  town  ])e()ple  Avas  rather  opposed  to  these  rougher  west- 
ern sports,  and  the  early  ordinances  were  intended  to,  and  did  curb 


I 


716  HISTORY   OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY. 

this  custom.  The  city  legislation  upon  the  liquor  traffic  has  generally 
tended  toward  the  repression  of  the  business,  but  with  the  coming 
of  the  railroads  and  the  growth  of  the  city,  a  high  license  is  as  near 
prohibition  as  has  been  found  practicable. 

The  internal  improvements  of  the  city  have  made  slow  progress. 
With  the  organization  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  an  attempt  Avas 
made  to  provide  sidewalks.  Six  feet  on  each  side  of  Main  Street  were 
appropriated  by  the  village  authorities  for  the  accommodation  of 
foot  passengers.     This  was  thrown  up  and  afforded  a  fairly  dry  path 
in  most  seasons,  which  sufficed  until   1849,  when  board  sidewalks 
were  required.     Citizens  were  allowed  to  build  their  own  but  were 
required  to  construct  them  at  least  twenty-eight  inches  wide.     In 
February,  1853,  after  considering  a  petition  asking  that  a  sidewalk 
be  constructed  in  a  certain  part  of  the  town,  the  Board  formulated 
the  following:  "  Whereas,  we  are  in  a  young  and  flourishing  county, 
and  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Company  have  made  our  town 
a  point  of  said  road,  your  committee  believe  that  it  is  a  duty  we  owe 
to  ourselves  and  our  citizens  to  make  the  town  of  Olney  a  desirable 
and  pleasant  retreat  for  strangers  and  inviting  to  emigrants  seeking 
a  home  in  our  western  county,  the  beauty  and  ornament  and  conven- 
ience of  our  town  render  it  agreeable  to  us  to  give  a  character  for 
neatness  abroad,"  etc.    This  somewhat  stilted  preface  to  an  ordinary 
sidewalk  ordinance,  though  open  to  criticism  on  the  score  of  obscu- 
rity, gives  an  index  to  the  spirit  with  which  such  improvements  were 
carried  forward.  About  the  same  time  and  for  the  same  reason,  drink- 
ing liquor  in  public,  on  the  streets  or  sidewalks  of  the  town,  was  pro- 
hibited. In  1855,  Whittle  Avenue  was  provided  with  a  sidewalk  to  the 
depot,  and  in  18G8,  brick    sidewalks  were  introduced.     This    later 
improvement  evoked  considerable  opposition  on  the  score  of  expense, 
and  its  adoption  by  the  city  is  probably  due  to  the  persistent  efforts 
of  J.  M.  Wilson  and  John  Van  Gunten.     The  city  is  now  generally 
well  supplieil  with  sidewalks,  a  large  proportion  of  which  are  brick. 
In  the  management  of  the  streets  the  improvements  have  been  less 
marked.     Considerable  money  has  been  expended  upon  tliem,  but 
the  hick  of  road  material  and  the  character  of  the  soil  has  rendered 
all  available  means  but  partially  successful.     In  1879,  a  sewer,  built 
of  brick  and  thirty  inches  in  diameter,  was  laid  in  INIain  Street.  This 
serves  a  valuable  purpose  both  in  draining  the  surplus  waters  of 
the  streets  and  the  sewerage  of  the  property  along  its  margin,  but 
the  problem  of  street  improvement  still  remains  unsolved  and  will 
probably  remain  so  for  years  to  come,  or  until  the  city  finds  sufficient 


HISTOKV    OF   RICHLAND   COUNTY.  717 

funds  to  transport  stone  from  a*  distance.  Street  lamps  were  intro- 
duced in  1869.  These  are  located  at  the  corners,  niunber  some  forty 
or  more,  and  are  supplied  with  coal  oil. 

The  first  attempt  to  provide  aj^ainst  fires  was  in  ISoO,  when 
"  fire  hooks  and  ladders  "  were  procured.  There  was  no  special  place 
to  keep  them,  or  if  there  was  they  soon  became  scattc^red  over  the 
town  and  were  practically  useless  when  needed.  In  18(57,  these 
were  collected  and  an  ap[)ointed  place  to  keep  them  provided.  In 
1879,  "  two  dozen  pails  and  an  axe  "  was  added  to  the  outfit  of  the 
volunteer  compan}^  and  in  June,  of  the  same  year,  a  "  No.  5,  Two 
Wheeled  Champion  Chemical  Fire  Engine  "  was  purchased  by  the  city 
at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  This  machine  is  constructed  on  the  general 
principle  of  a  fire  extinguisher.  The  machine  has  a  hundred  gal- 
lon cylinder,  covered  with  brass,  in  which  soda  and  sulphuric  acid 
are  held  in  separate  receptacles.  When  needed  for  service  the  cyl- 
inder is  turned  over,  revolving  upon  trunions,  and  the  two  chemicals 
thus  being  brought  together  an  expansive  gas  is  formed  that  forces 
the  fluid  through  the  attached  hose  to  a  distance  of  seventy-five 
feet  from  the  end  of  the  nozzle.  In  thirty  seconds  the  engine  is 
ready  for  action.  The  department  has  not  yet  had  an  opportunity 
to  fully  test  the  availability  and  capacity  of  the  machine,  but  it  is 
questionable  whether  a  steam  fire  engine  would  be  practicable  at 
present.  In  certain  seasons  a  steamer  could  scarcely  be  got  to  the 
scene  of  danger,  and  once  there  the  supply  of  water  would  be 
very  uncertain.  The  only  source  of  supply  is  probably  from  surface 
drainage,  retained  in  a  large  public  cistern.  An  attempt  was  made 
in  1880,  to  sink  a  drill  to  obtain  water.  Some  2,300  feet  of  earth  and 
rock  was  penetrated,  at  a  cost  of  about  $10,000,  without  securing  the 
desired  water.  Some  "  fault  finders  "  suggest  that  the  desire  to  find 
a  vein  of  coal  acted  unfavorably  on  the  ostensible  object  of  finding- 
Avater,  Init  whatever  the  fact  may  be,  neither  coal  nor  water  Avas 
found  in  ''  paying  quantities,"  and  the  city  seems  to  be  dependent 
entirely  upon  the  surface  supplies  for  fires.  The  subject  of  public 
buildings  was  agitated,  in  1880,  and  is  still  held  in  abeyance.  The 
engine  is  stored  in  a  shabby,  one-story  building,  and  the  council 
meets  in  a  room  rented  at  $00  per  year.  There  is  certainly  need 
enough  for  something  better,  but  the  tax  payer  seems  just  noAV  to  be 
jealous  of  his  prerogative,  and  the  improvement  waits. 

In  1854,  the  limits  of  the  corporation  were  extended  so  as  to 
include  the  north  half  of  Section  3,  in  Township  3  north,  and  south 
half  of  Section  34,  of  Township  4  north,  both  in  Range  10  east.     At 


718  HISTORY   OF    RICIILAXD   COVyTY. 

tills  time  the  highest  vote  for  Trustee  was  sixty-seven,  and  the  finan- 
cial transactions  of  the  village  government  amounted  to  $389.44. 
By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  approved  March 
18,  18()7,  the  village  Avas  incorporated  as  a  city,  with  the  following 
limits:  All  that  territory  included  within  the  following  limits,  and 
described  as  follows,  to  Avit:  The  Avest  half  of  Section  2,  Section  3, 
and  the  east  half  of  Section  4,  in  Township  3  north,  Range  10  east; 
iind  the  east  half  of  Section  33,  Section  34,  and  the  Avest  half  of  Sec- 
tion 35,  in  Township  4  north,  Kange  10  east,  of  the  third  Principal 
Meridian.  The  city  Avas  diA^ded  into  three  wards  and  a  code  of  ordi- 
nances adopted,  Avliich,  if  strictly  enforced,  Avould  make  Olney  one 
of  the  most  progressiA^e  cities  in  southern  Illinois.  As  is  usually 
the  case  a  compromise  AA'as  patched  up  betAveen  the  spirit  of  the 
city  laws  and  the  sentiment  of  the  community,  and  the  police  force, 
consisting  of  the  City  Marshal  and  three  patrolmen,  keep  the  city 
in  very  good  order.  The  restrictions  against  stock  running  at  laro-e 
are  not  up  to  the  standard  of  excellence  manifested  in  other  feat- 
ures of  the  city  administration.  But  little  effort  was  made  to 
restrain  animals  from  running  at  large  in  the  city  until  1854.  The 
liberty  of  the  hog  Avas  th(>n  assailed,  an  action  that  CNoked  a 
spirited  resistance,  and  eventually  gained  the  repeal  of  the  obnox- 
ious ordinance.  Three  years  later  the  sentiment  of  the  community 
reached  the  point  superior  to  the  e(j[uality  of  the  hog,  and  it  Avas 
forbidden  the  freedom  of  the  city.  The  ordinances  framed  under  the 
city  charter  took  still  higher  grounds  and  excluded  all  animals  run- 
ning at  large,  saA'c,  l)y  inference,  a  docile  coav.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
this  class  of  animals  is  the  greatest  nuisance  to-day.  Inspired  by 
the  luxuriance  of  the  well-kept  laAvn  of  the  court  house  yard,  these 
animals  haA-e  become  adepts  in  finding  a  passage  way  through  the 
imperfectly  latcdiod  gates  of  theinclosure,  and  the  janitor  is  kept  on 
the  alei-t  to  protect  the  court  yard  from  their  intrusion.  Wagons 
in  the  street  arc  more  or  less  the  objects  of  their  attack  and  it  Avould 
seem  that  the  enterprise  of  the  city  must  soon  restrict  their  freedom 
On  the  Avhole,  however,  Olney  is  an  attractive  little  city.  It  is  pleas- 
antly situated  on  high  rolling  ground;  the  streets  are  broad,  regu- 
larly laid  out  and  Avell  shaded.  An  unusuallv  lar<>e  number  of  fine 
residences  l)etok(>n  the  Avealth  and  culture  of  its  people,  and  the 
business  enterprise  added  to  its  railroad  facilities  is  certain  to  giA^e 
this  city  still  greater  prominence  among  the  business  centers  of  this 
part  of  the  State. 

Noble. — There  is  no  room  in  Richland  County  for  any  consider- 


G^-y^-l.  c^LJc^^t^^-^tri- 


IIISTOHY    or    IJICIILAM)    COLNTY.  721 

able  town  other  than  the  county-scat.     It  possesses  the  advantages 
of  the  public  business,  a  central   location,  the  best  railroad  facilities 
and  equal  nianufacturino:  advantages  ^vitli  any  other  point  in  the 
county.     It  is,  therefore,  likely  to  maintain  its  position  without  fear 
of  a  rival  Avithin  this  limited  area.    The  location  of  the  Ohio  &Mis- 
sissipi)i  Railroad,  however,  stimulated  the  enterprise  of  land  ownei'S, 
and    wherever   opi)ortunity  otl'ored,  a  town  was  platted  along  its 
line.     Of  these,  in  Richland  County,  Noble  has  proven  the  most  suc- 
cessful.    This  was  laid  out  in  Xol)le  Township,  on  the  west  half  of 
the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  16,  and  the  northeast  quarter  of  Sec- 
tion 17,  both  in  Township  3  north.  Range  9  east.  This  was  projected 
by  Alfred  Kitchell,  Esq.,  and  was  laid  out  parallel  Aviththe  railroad 
which  at  this  point  runs  in  a  southwesterh'  direction.     It  originally 
consisted  of  twenty-one  blocks,  of  sixteen  lots  each,  and  this  has 
been  foimd   sufficient  to  accommodate  its  growth  to  date.     It  has  a 
population  of  some  ()()()  inhabitants  and  was  incorporated  under  the 
general  law,  in  1802.     A  dozen  business  houses,  besides    the  hotels 
and  various  shops,  constitute  the  business  of  the  town.     A  large 
flouring  mill  did  a  good  business  at  one  time,  but  it  is  now  doing  a 
limited  custom  work.     A   considerable  l)usiness  is  done  in  buying 
and  shipping  grain,  and  the  local  merchants  find  considerable  trade 
in  the  surroundina:  countrv.     The  village  is  located  in  the  midst  of 
a  fine  agricultural  region,  and  from  ItSli.)  to  1875,  did  a  very  large 
jDfrain  business.     Since  then  business  interests  have  flanoed  until  the 
recent  agitation  in  regard  to  the  location  oftheTeri'e  Haute  &  West- 
ern Railway  through  the  village.     It  is  hoped,  in   the  event  of  the 
building  of  this  road,  that  business  will   again  take  on  its  old  pros- 
perity.    The  past  two  years  have  b^en  remtirkable  for  the  amount  of 
apples  marketed  here.     During  this  year  more  than  one  hundred  car 
loads  have  been  shipped  from  this  station.  Two  churches,  the  Meth- 
odist and  Union, are  found  here.  The  first  Avas  built  in  l.S(>l,and  is  a 
frame  building  02x40  feet,  and  cost  about  i?l,()()().     The  other  church 
known  now  as  the  Baptist  Church,  Avas  commenced  in  18()(),  as  a  Union 
Church,  the  Baptist  and  Christian  denominations  contributing  to  its 
erection.    It  Avas  completed  about  1870,  and  is  an  ordinary  structure 
erected  at  a  cost  of  some  $()()().     A  good,  two  story,  brick  school- 
house  Avas  erected  in  180.5,  at  a  cost  of  some  $5,000.    The  school  con- 
sists   of  three   departments.      Noble  L:)dge  of    F.    &  A.    M.,  and 
Noble  Lodij-e  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  are  located  here. 

Claremont. — This  village  is  another  railroad  toAvn,  laid  out  in 
1853,  by  Jacob  May.     The  original  town  consisted  of  fifty-five  lots> 


722  HISTORY   OF    RICIIL.VXD    COUNTY. 

and  was  situated  on  the  Trace  road,  on  Section  4,  Township  3,  Range 
14,  and  Section  34,  Township  4,  Range  14.  A  small  addition  was  made 
by  W.  Schifferstein,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  in  the  same  year, 
])ut  the  railroad  eventually  being  located  considerably  to  the  south 
of  this  location,  the  proprietor  made  two  additions  in  1854,  to  reach 
the  road.  It  at  first  did  considerable  business.  A  large  flouring 
mill  Avas  built,  a  hotel  and  several  stores;  but  of  late  years,  it  has 
lost  much  of  its  early  thrift,  and  is  only  a  small  vilhige  of  some  200 
inhabitants.  The  mill  is  idle,  though  there  is  still  some  trade  in 
orain  and  in  the  few  stores  gathered  here. 

Parl:ershurg. — In  the  southeastern  part  of  Madison  Township 
is  the  village  of  Parkersburg.  This  was  laid  out  in  18r)9,  by  John 
D.  Parker,  on  the  line  of  the  Peoria,  Decatur  &  Evansville  Rail- 
road. For  a  time  it  was  the  terminus  of  this  road  and  for  a  time  it 
did  a  large  business  for  its  size.  Business  houses  of  good  dimen- 
sions were  erected,  but  with  the  completion  of  the  road  its  glory 
departed  and  it  is  now  chiefl}'  conspicuous  for  the  evidences  of  the 
business  that  once  existed.  It  first  consisted  of  some  seventeen 
lots,  but  it  has  been  extended  by  additions,  from  time  to  time  b3'the 
proprietor,  until  it  now  numbers  some  sixty  or  seventy-five  lots. 

Fairi'iew,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  same  township  and 
on  the  same  line  of  road,  was  laid  out  by  Shadrach  Ruark,  quite 
early,  but  no  record  .was  made  of  the  plat,  and  in  1848  it  was 
replatted.  It  contained  some  sixty-five  lots  and  assumed  consider- 
able proportions  upon  paper,  but  it  is  little  more  than  a  post-ofiice 
with  the  usual  mercantile  attachment.  The  post-ofiice  is  known  as 
Calhoun. 

Wakefield  was  laid  out  by  Pleasant  M.  Stanley  and  Thomas 
Wakefield,  in  1853,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Denver  Township 
It  consisted  originally  of  forty-eight  lots,  but  it  has  since  been 
vacated.  WiJsonbiirg,  on  the  line  between  Denver  and  Noble  Town- 
ships, Strinytoivn,  in  the  northern  part  of  German  Township,  and 
Franf<07ua,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Decker  Township,  have  not 
been  platted  and  are  merely  post-ofiices. 

Dundas,  is  eight  miles  north  of  Olney,  in  Preston  Township, 
on  tiie  Danville,  Olney  &  Ohio  River  Railroad,  and  the  P.,  D.  &  E. 
road,  the  two  lines  running  parallel  tlu'ough  the  county  to  Olney. 
This  little  village  was  laid  out  by  Alexander  Stewart,  James  Kin- 
kade  and  W.  W.  Kermicle,  in  1877.  The  original  plat  consisted 
of  sixty-four  lots,  and  quite  a  little  viUagc  has  gathered  at  tliis  point. 
A  church,  several  stores,  and  shops  and  several  members  of  the  pro- 
fessions make  up  the  business  and  social  show  of  the  place. 


f 


• 


HISTORY   OF   RICHLAND   OOUNTY.  723 

Glenwood  was  simply  a  paper  town.  It  was  laid  out  by  W.  B. 
Crouch,  a  real  estate  agent  of  Cincinnati,  in  1874.  It  was  situated 
on  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Kiiilroad,  in  Section  13,  Township  3  north,^ 
Range  8  east,  just  west  of  Noble  village,  in  the  township.  It  c(jn- 
sisted  of  sixteen  blocks  and  200  or  300  lots.  These  were  sold  under 
misrepresentation  and  resulted  in  the  death  of  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors, who  was  shot  by  one  of  the  victims  of  the  swindle. 

The  editor  desires  in  closing  this  sketch  to  express  his  indebt- 
edness to  those  who  have  aided  him  in  procuring  the  data  for  it,  and 
to  especialh'  acknowledge  the  time  and  care  bestowed  on  the  sketch 
of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  by  Sir  Knight  G.  H.  B.  ToUe,  and  to  Rev- 
erends H.  Schlencher,  E.  Schwartz,  Father  J.  W.  Merscher,  Capt. 
William  Rhode,  J.  Von  Gunten,  Gen.  Eli  Bowyer  and  G.  AV.  Frit 
chey  for  the  notes  on  their  respective  church  organizations. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


OLNEY     OITY     AND     TOWNSHIP. 

COLONEL  W.  E.  ALCOKX  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Mel, 
April  17,  1818,  and  is  the  sou  of  James  and  Margaret  (Carnahan) 
Alcorn.  The  former,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  America  with 
his  parents  when  four  years  of  age.  He  served  thirty-two  years  in 
the  United  States  Navy,  as  Sailing-Master  and  Cai)lain  ;  he  assisted 
in  sinking  the  Government  ships  near  Fort  ]SIcHenry,  to  keep  the 
British  from  capturing  them  ;  his  navy  service  ceased  at  the  election 
of  Gen.  Jackson  for  President,  owing  to  a  diflerence  of  opinion  po- 
litically, after  which  he  went  to  Alexandria,  D.  C.,  Avhere  he  manu- 
factured sails  for  ships,  for  a  number  of  years  ;  he  finally  received  a 
pensionof  1 10,000;  he  then  moved  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  at  Avhich  place 
he  died  in  1847,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age.  His  wife  also 
died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1863,  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  her  age. 
Our  subject,  in  1828,  shipped  on  board  the  ship  "  Eagle,"  of  Boston, 
and  went  to  Europe,  and  returned,  and  then  shipped  on  a  brig  and 
went  to  the  AYest  Indies,  and  followed  seafaring  until  1840,  at  which 
time  he  went  to  steamboating,  and  has  navigated  the  principal  rivers 
of  the  United  States.  In  1850  he  ensfao-ed  in  manufacturinii'  all 
steamboat  appliances,  and  continued  at  this  a  number  of  years.  In 
186(j  he  came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  and  located  on  a  farm  of 
850  acres  near  Noble,  where  he  lived  until  1880,  when  he  moved  to 
his  fine  residence  near  Olney.  In  the  late  war  he  served  as  First 
Lieutenant  in  the  "  One  Hundred  Days  Service."  He  has  been 
married  twice  ;  first,  in  1847,  to  jSIiss  Ann  Row,  a  native  of  Indiana  ; 
she  died  in  18()2,  tlie  mother  of  six  children.  The  only  living  one 
is  James  W.  He  next  married,  in  1864,  Mary  J.  A^andolah.  To 
them  have  been  born  ten  cliildren — George  S.,  Philip  S.,  Grant, 
Henry  Chiy,  Annie  A.,  Laura,  Clara,  Ethel,  Bessie,  and  John  (de- 
ceased).   Col.  Alcorn  is  a  radical  Repul)lican. 

HON.  JAMES  C.  ALLEN,  one  of  the  respected  citizens  of 
the  county,  was  ])oru  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  on  January  2il,1822,  and 
is  the  seventh  of  ten  chiklrcn  l)orn  to  Benjamin  and  ^largaret 
(Youel)  Allen,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  Benjamin  was  educated 
and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  in  early  life  he  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  sickles.  Afterward,  he  engaged  in  blacksmilh- 
ing  and  fanning.  In  1.S02  he  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Ky..  and 
thence,  in  1830,  to  Parke  County,  Ind.,  where  he  resided  until  his 
<leath,  which  occurred  in  1847.  From  early  life  he  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  I'resbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  was  for  over  thirty 
years  an  elder.     James  C.  Allen,  our  subject,  received  his  earl}' edu- 

724 


OLXEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  725 

cation  in  the  log  schoolliousc  of  olden  time.  Afterward  he  attended 
a  high  sehool  at  Koekvillc,   Ind.     Mo^jt  of  the  time    until   he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  was   employed  on  his  father's  farm.     He 
then  commenced  reading  law    in   the   office   of  Messrs.    Howard  & 
Wright  of  Kockville,  Ind.,  and  in    August,  184:5,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  as  a  lawyer.     In  December  following,  he  moved  to  Sul- 
livan, Ind.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice  until   the  autumn 
of  184a,  when  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  Seventh 
Judicial  Circuit  of  Indiana,  holding  the  office  two  years.     In  1847 
he  removed  to   Palestine,  Crawford  County,   111.,  where    he  resided 
about  twenty-nine  consecutive  years.     In  '  18.50-51,  he  represented 
Crawford  and  Jasper  counties  in  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Leo-is- 
lature.       In  is.rJ,    he  was   elected   to    Congress  from  the  Seventh 
Congressional  District  of  Illinois,  and  was're-elerted  in  18.34.     In 
1857  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  servino 
during  the  Thirty-Fifth  Congress.     In   18G0  he  was  the  Democratic 
candidate    for    Governor  of  Illinois,  but  was    defeated  by  Richard 
Yates.     In  1861   he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Seventh  Judicial  Cir- 
cuit, which  position  he   held  until  the    fall    of  18()2,  when  he  Avas 
elected  Congressman-at-large   for   Illinois.      In    18()1,  Gov.   Yates 
tendered  him  the  command  of  the  Twenty-First   Illinois  Infantry, 
which  was    afterward    connnnnded    by  .Gen.    Grant;  and  in    1862, 
President  Lincoln    tendered  him  the  command  of  a  brigade.     Hav- 
ing no  militiuy  taste  or  training,  he  declined  both  offers.     In  1870, 
he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Illinois,  and 
in  June,  1873,  was  eleeted  Judge    of  the     Second   Judicial  Circuit. 
Removing  to  Gluey  in   187G — where  he    has  since  resided— in  1877 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  Appellate  Judges  for  the  Fourth  Dis- 
trict of  Illinois.     He   held   this  office  nntiri879,  when  he  resumed 
the  practice  of  his  profession.     The   Judge  is  the  President  of  the 
Toledo,  Texas  &  Rio  Grande  Raihvay,  now  beinu'  constructed.     He 
Avas  first  married,January  22, 1845,  to  Ellen  Kitchell,  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  the  Hon.  Joseph  Kitchell.     To   this  union    were  born  three 
children,  all  deceased.     Mrs.  Allen  died  in  ^Ma}^  1852.     He  was  next 
married    in  June,   1857,  ;to  Julia   A.  Kitchell,  daughter  of  Harvey 
Kitchell.     Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  all  of  whom  are 
still  living.     Both  the  Judge  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.     His  first  Avife  Avas  also  a    member.     In  i)olitics 
the  Judge  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  although  during  the  late  Avar  he 
Avas  known  as  a  _"  Avar  Democrat."     His  life  has  been  an  unusually 
actiA'eand  CA'cntful  one. 

ELLIS  ^y.  ALLEY,  grocer,  Avas  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Ind.,  May  1,  1<S57,  and  is  the  second  child  of  five  l)orn  to  Joseph 
\y.  and  Emma  (Foster)  Alley,  natives  of  Franklin  Countv,  and  of 
Irish  extraction.  Joseph  \V.  Avas  educated  and  married  in  li'is  native 
State  and  county,  and  there  foUoAved  agricultural  pursuits  until 
1868,  Avhenhe  removed  to  Denver  ToAvnship,  in  this  countv.  He 
bought  a  farm  and  resided  there  until  his  death,on  Decem1)er  2!*),  187,"). 
He  and   Avifo   Avere    members  of  the   Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 


72>>  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUXTi-  : 

and  he  bolonc-ed  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Ellis  W.  received  a  orood  com- 
mon school  education,  and  was  emph\ved  on  his  father's  tiirm  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  From  1878  until  1882  he  was  engaged 
in  teaching  during  the  winter,  while  he  still  worked  on  a  tarni  in 
the  summer  season.  As  a  teacher,  Mr.  Alley  succeeded  adminihlv. 
On  January  1,  l.sSo.  he  o})ened  a  grocery  store  at  Olney.  111.,  and  is  at 
present  doing  a  thriving  business  there.  He  is  yet  unmarried.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  very  enterprisinar  Jind  much- 
esteemed  youns:  man  of  Olney. 

SOL.  BACH AKACH,  dealer  in  clothing,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  on 
May  2i>,  1838,  and  is  second  in  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to 
Moritz  and  Fannie  (Rosenfeld)  Bacharach,  both  Bavarians.  Moritz 
was  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  also  man-ied  there.  He 
learned  the  tannei"s'  trade,  and  followed  it  in  connection  with  the 
wholes;ile  leather  tnide.  for  many  years.  In  18.")1  or  18o2,  he  emi- 
grated with  his  wife  and  family  to  the  United  States,  and  settled 
in  New  York  City,  where  he  resided  until  the  end  of  his  days,  on 
June  10.  1883,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  Mr.  Bacharach  was  em- 
ployed, after  coming  to  this  country,  in  the  mmufacture  of  cigars, 
and  in  a  general  mercantile  trade.  He  invented  an  improved 
-treet  urinal  and  an  improved  garbaore  box.  Sol,  our  subject,  re- 
ceived limited  advantages  in  the  subjects  of  learning,  in  Bavaria, 
but  being  ambitious,  he  labored  earnestly  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of 
thi^igs  pertaining  to  business,  and  has  succeeded  in  acqufrins: 
it.  When  twelve  years  of  as^e,  he  commenced  learninir  the  tailors' 
trade,  but  after  two  yeais  was  compelled  to  abandon  it  on  account 
of  ill  health.  He  came  to  New  York  with  his  parents,  clerked  in  a 
clothing  store,  and  remained  there  until  18.34.  He  was  then  em- 
ployed in  the  same  capacity  at  Shelb^-^ille,  Ky..  Keokuk,  Iowa. 
Quincy,  111.,  Cinciimati,  Ohio,  and  in  July  of  the  year  18133.  came  to 
Olney.  where  he  opened  an  independent  clothing  store.  His  busi- 
ness is  \ev\  successful  and  extensive,  and  he  carries  a  stock  amount- 
ing to  from  $lo,000  to  $20,00<)  :  average  Siiles  annually  being 
$2o,000.  In  1875,  Mr.  Bacharach  erected  a  handsome  brick  blocks 
one  of  the  first  erected  in  southern  Illinois,  and  here  conducts  his 
business.  In  186y,  August  23,  he  married  Bertha  Bacharach.  who 
bore  three  children,  of  whom  one,  Alice,  is  li^•^ng.  Mi-s.  Bacharach 
died  April  lit,  1875.  On  Februaiy  15,  187G,  Mr.^Bacharach  married 
Clara  Foreman,  of  Chicago,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have 
been  ffiven.  Mr.  B;icharach  is  a  member  of  Olnev  Lodire.  No.  140, 
A.  F/&  a.  M..  Richland  Chapter,  Xo.  38,  R.  A*.  M.,  ^and  Olney 
Council,  Xo.  00,  R.  &  S-  M-  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  of  Olney  Lodge.  Xo.  76,  A.  O.  U.  W..  of  which  he  is  a  charter 
member,  and  also  of  the  Etz  Chaim  Lodge,  Xo.  20.5,  I.  O.  B.  B.  He 
is  a  Republican,  and  a  very  prominent  business  man. 

DARIUvS  BAIRD,  hardware,  was  bora  in  Medina  County, 
Ohio,  Augast  is,  1837.  and  is  the  third  of  nine  children  born  to  Asa 
H.  and  Lucy  (Tanner)  Baird,  both  natives  of  Vermont,  and  of  Irish 
and  English  descent  respectively.    As;i  II.  settled  in  Medina  County, 


OLNEY   CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  727 

and  marriod  thoro.  whoii  :i  yonnir  nia.n.  Ho  followod  roiitnict- 
ins:  oil  puljlic  works,  and  also  airri*nltiiro  to  some  oxtoiit.  In 
IH'M  ho  removed  to  Lawrence  Connty,  111-,  bouirht  a  farm  and  saw- 
mill, and  durin<r  this  time  hnilt  and  irnided  the  bridires  of  tw<dve 
miles  of  the  State  road.  In  1^41  he  eame  to  Olney,  and  huilt  the 
Commercial  House,  eontinuinir  in  the  hot(d  business  until  his 
death.  Ho  kept  the  stage  stand  for  the  Saint  Louis  &  Cincinnati 
Stage  Company.  Ho  owned  an  eighty  acre  farm  upon  which  the 
southwest  part  of  Olney  now  stands.  He  built  the  first  perma- 
nent court  house  of  the  connty,  and  was  for  several  vears  Countv  As- 
scssor  and  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  and  wife  wore  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Darius  was  poorly  educated.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  about  ton  or  twelve  years  old,  and  ho  and  his  brother 
assisted  their  mother  in  managing  the  farm  and  hotel  for  several 
years.  In  18(j(>  he  went  into  a  store  at  Olney,  and  remained  one 
year  as  salesman.  He  then  engaged  in  the  livery  business  until 
186(j,  and  in  1807-  went  to  Lathrop,  Clinton  Co.,  Mo.,  and  en- 
o-aired  in  the  hardware  business.  Mr.  Baird  remained  there  until 
1875,  when  ho  returned  to  Olney,  and  has  since  been  following  an 
extensive  heavy  hardware  tnide  here.  He  cairies  a  large  and  well-se- 
lected stock  in  his  line,  and  is  extensivelv  patronized.  He  was  married 
in  18G2,to  Rose  A.  McWilliams,  of  Xoblo  County.Ohio.  Threechildren 
were  given  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  livinof.  5lr.  Baird  and  wife  are 
Congregationalists.  He  is  a  Kopul)lican,  and  an  old  settler  of  our 
county. 

SAMUEL  J.  BAKP^K,  i)hotographer,  was  born  in  Orleans, 
Orange  County,  Ind.,  on  January  oL  18.j;3,  and  is  the  ninth  of  eleven 
children  bom  to  John  and  Sarah  A.  (Dillard)  Baker,  natives  of 
Woodford  County,  Ky.,  and  of  Orange  County,  Ind.,  and  of  Holland 
and  English  descent  respectively.  When  three  years  old,  in  18L5, 
John  was  taken  to  Orange  (now  A\'a>hington)  County,  Ind.,  and 
received  his  schooling  in  log  schoolhousos  only.  He  was  manned 
April  6,  1837,  to  Sarah  A.  Dillard.  Ho  was  a  stone  mason,  studied 
law,  and  also  sen- ed  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Auditor,  each  one 
term.  In  1850  ho  removed  to  Vinconnes.  and  still  lives  there,  and 
where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  1^(14,  and  also  was  Judare  of 
the  Third  Judicial  Court  of  Indiana.  Mi-s.  Baker  died  Manh  31, 
1871.  In  August,  1875,  Mr.  Baker  married  Lida  Carnahan.  He  is 
a  Protestant,  also  a  Domocnit.  Samuel  J.  was  well  educated,  at 
Vinconnes,  Ind.,  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  at  seventeen 
began  to  learn  photogrsiphy.  He  has  followed  that  business  ever 
since, at  Princeton,  111.,  Troy,  Ohio,  and  in  1877  located  at  Olney,  and 
took  charge  of  the  gallery  formerly  owned  by  his  brother-in-law, 
Mr.  J.  Rush,  who  died  on  the  first  day  of  that  year.  Myra  B.  Rush, 
his  widow,  and  our  subject's  sister,  still  owns  an  interest  in  the  bus- 
iness. Their  gallery  is  finely  located  and  conveniently  arranged, 
and  is  one  of  tlie  best  in  southern  Illiuois.  Mr.  Baker  is  a  Baptist, 
and  his  sister  a  Presbyterian.  ]Mr.  Baker  ])elongs  to  Richland 
Lodge,  No.  180,  Olney  Encampment,  No.  {')!,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which  he 
is  Past  Gnind  of  the  Subordinate  Lod^e. 


728  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCIIKS — IMCHLAND    COUNTY  : 

DR.  ORRTS  A.  BATTSOX  was  1)oin  in  Sullivan  County,  Ind. 
Ind..  .lanuarv  2.').  1S27.  istlio  second  in  a  family  of  four  I'hildrcn  aivcii 
to  rJonathan^M.  and  Raclud  (Marney)  liattson,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  Knox  County,  Ind., 'and  of  P2nglisli  and  Scotch  descent,  respect- 
ively. Jonathan  M.  was  educated,  married,  and  early  followed  the 
carpenters'  and  builders'  trade,  in  his  native  State.  In  about  l^Ki 
he  removed  to  Carlisle,  Sullivan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  still  fol- 
lowed his  chosen  profession,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  18.58. 
He  was  several  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Sidlivan  County,  and 
was  also  a  Captain  in  the  State  Militia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Battson  were 
ineinbei-s  of  the  ;Methodist  Ei)isco})al  Church.  Orris  A.  received  a 
rrood  education  at  Bloominaton  and  Greencastle  univei-sities,  and  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  beiran  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  M. 
Murphy,  at  Carlisle.  Ind.  In  184(;-47  he  attended  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  in  1847  com- 
menced the  practice  of  the  profession  he  had  chosen,  in  his  native 
county,  Sullivan,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In  1848  he  came  to 
Claremont,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  and  continued  practicing-,  finally 
succeediuiT  in  establisliino"  a  very  lucrative  business.  In  1881,  Dr, 
Battson  concluded  to  change  his  residence  ag-ain,  and  located  here  at 
Olney,  where  he  is  tirmly  estiiblished  in  a  paying  practice.  In  1850 
the  Doctor  was  married^o  Harriett  Snyder,  a  native  ot  Lawrence 
County,  111.,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Snyder,  a  pioneer  of  this 
county.  They  have  had  seven  children,  live  of  whom  are  now  liv- 
inir-  Di'-  Battson  was  for  two  \-ears  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  Richland  County.'^  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican, and  a  respected  ])ioneer  of  the  county. 

IKJX.  W.  F.  BECK,  editor  of  the  Olncy  Times,  was  born  in 
Wurtemberg,  Germany,  July  31,  184.S,  and  when  but  little  more 
than  three  yeai^  old,  in  l8r)2,  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the 
United  States.  They  fii-st  settled  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  where  they 
remained  two  years  ;  then  they  came  to  Olney,  Richland  County, 
where  Mr.  Beck  Avas  successfully  engaged  in  merchandising,  until 
his  death.  Mrs.  Beck  is  still  living,  and  resides  at  Olney.  Hon.  ^V. 
F.  Beck  received  a  good  common  school  and  academic  education,  in 
youth,  and  afterward  graduated  from  Fin  ley  c^  Nicholson's  Connner- 
cial  College.  Soon  after  this,  he  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Ol- 
ney, and  .speedily  became  one  of  the  "successful  and  leading  dealers 
of  the  city.  In  1881  he  purchased  the  Olncy  Times,  the  Demo- 
cratic organ  of  the  county,  of  which  he  is  at  present  editor  and  pro- 
j)rietor.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the 
city  of  Olney,  and  was  successively  re-elected  to  that  office  for  seven 
vears  ;  afterwards  he  was  elected  one  of  the  councilmen  of  the  city. 
In  1S7!)  he  was  elected  one  of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners, 
of  which  body  he  was  appointed  chairman,  and  in  Xovendn'r  of  the 
same  year,  was  apimintcd  Master  in  Chancery  of  Richland  County. 
Mr.  Beck  is  a  charter  member  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  70,  A.().  U.  W,^ 
institnte(l  in  May,  1.S77,  of  wlii(  h  Lodge  he  was  the  first  Master 
Workman.     In  l.s7*J,  he  represented  his  Lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge 


OLNKV    (11^     AM)    TOWNSIIII'.  721^ 

of  the  State,  and  has  been  a  nicnilxT  of  that  body  cvci'-siiuT'.  In 
]HM  he  aijain  ropi'cscntcfl  his  Loiliio  in  the,  (inmd  Lodifc  of  the 
Stato.  As  a  iiuMnbor  of  tlio  (iniiid  Lod<j;;c,  lie  has  siTVcd  on  the 
railroad,  loi^ishitive  and  finance  eonnnittccs.  As  a  nienilxT  of  tlie 
lei^ishitive  oonnnittoo,  hv  liclpod  to  frame  and  secure  the  adoption 
of  th(Ma\v  crcatinir  th(»  ottice  of  (rrand  Mechcal  Kxaininci'.  In  l>i^<2 
he  was  elected  Grand  Overseer,  and  is  at  present  (irand  Foreman  of 
the  Sfcite,  that  beinir  the  second  highest  ofh'ce  in  the  (frand  Lodge. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  Olney  Legion,  No.  18,  Select  Knights,  A.  O. 
IJ.  AV.,  of  which  order  he  is  at  ])resent  V.  C.  Mr.  Ueck  is  also  a 
charter  nuMnberaiul  was  one  of  the  tirst  officers  of  .Marmion  Lodge, 
No.  .52,  K.  of  P.,  of  Olney,  111.  lie  is  also  a  mend)er  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  that  order,  has  served  on  various  important  connnittees, 
and  held  th(^  otHc(»  of  G.  I.  G.  In  addition  to  the  above.  Mr.  Beck  is 
also  a  prominent  Mason,  being  a  mend)er  of  the  four  Masonic  bodies 
of  the  city,  and  of  Peoria  Consistory,  Scottish  Kites,  or  S.  P.  R.  S., 
in  which  he  has  advanced  next  to  the  highest,  oi-  thirty-second 
degree  of  Masonry. 

,]AMLS  M.  PELL  was  born  June  o,  l.'>41,  in  Washiniiton 
County,  Penn.;  the  family  lived  there  till  he  was  eight  years  old  ; 
they  then  removed  to  Ohio  ;  in  l.s.lO  they  removed  to  Kichmond 
County;  the  following  year  his  father  entered  120  acres  of  land, 
where  he  (HcmI  in  1(S7].  aged  scAenty-one  years.  Eighty  acres  of  this 
land,  with  the  homestead,  he  deeded  to  his  son  James  M.  In  LSIJl, 
our  subject  enlisted  in  Coni|)anyD,  First  Missouri  Engineers.  This 
regiment  was  engaged  in  repairing  and  making  roads,  also  building 
fortifications.  lie  was  jn-omoted  to  Corporal,  Xovendjer  1,  1S(;2, 
served  three  years,  and  participated  in  the;  siege  of  New  Madrid,  the 
fight  at  Island  No.  10,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  the  advance  of  Gen. 
Grant's  army  to  Oxford,  Miss.,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  siege  of  Atlanta, 
and  battle  of  Jones])oro.  He  returned  to  Olney,  Sept<'mber  1, 
1804,  and  has  since  followed  fanning.  He  was  married  December 
22,  1870,  to  :\Iary  E.  Bolinger,  of  Calhoun.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, Viola  W.  and  Marv  J. 

CHRISTIAN  POliREX.  ])orn  December  2.'),  1817,  in  Swit- 
zerland, is  the  son  of  Fred  Pohren,  who  was  also  born  in  Switzer- 
land, and  who  died  when  Christian  was  small.  The  latter  w^as 
brought  up  by  his  brother  and  sister  ;  he  learned  the  carpenter  and 
cabinet-making  trade,  and  in  18451  immigrated  to  America,  stopped 
at  Louisville  al)out  three  months,  and  thence  moved  to  Saint  Louis. 
In  the  fall  of  1.S4!),  he  came  to  Olney,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and 
has  followed  his  trade  ;  the  past  fifteen  years  he  has  been  enira"-ed 
in  farming.  He  owns  twenty-five  acres  in  the  city  where  he  re- 
sides, also  a  store  l)iiilding,  which  he  rents.  He  was  married,  Febru- 
ary 27,  l.S.")2,  to  Susan  \'an  Alman,  who  was  born  in  Switzerland. 
He  has  two  daughters  ])y  his  first  marriage — Anna,  wife  of  Christ. 
Yorke, and  Susan,  wife  of  Christ.  Ilazlen. 

JOHN  P.()II1\EX,  blacksmith.  ])orn  in  Switzerland.  January  2, 
1<S44,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Knoose)  IJohren,  both  l)orn 

44 


730  IJIOORAI'IIICAL    SKETCHES— RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

in  Switzerlantl.  Thoy  inimiiri'iitod  to  Kiolilaud  County  in  1852. 
Tho  fiitlior  \v:is  :i  shoc'niakcr,  and  di(Ml  in  Olnoy,  Dcccnibcr  15,  1H79. 
Mr.  Bohron,  in  l.S(>.">,  l)('i>an  learninu"  blacksniitliina"  with  the  O.  & 
M.  R.  K.,  and  worked  for  that  company  seven  years,  after  ^vhich  he 
l)eiran  business  for  himself,  and  has  followed  it  ever  since.  Febru- 
ary 2,  ISlif),  ho  marri<'d  Rebecca  XudiniT'  dauo-htcr  of  Jacob  and 
Susan  (Tobias)  Nudiii.a-.  She  was  born  in  Ohio,  February  8,  1845. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  John,  George  J.,  Charles 
F.,  Lydia  and  Laura.  Mv.  Rohnni  is  a  member  of  the  A.  0.  II.  W., 
;ind  the  Select  Kniohts,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

WILLI A^I  BOURELL  was  born  Auo-ust  12,  I-SIJ),  in  North- 
umberland County,  Penn.,  and  there  lived  till  the  age  of  four- 
teen, when  the  family  moved  to  Butler  County,  Ohio.  In  1842  he 
married  Ann  E.  Schroyer,  of  Butler  County.  She  died  in  18119, 
ao-ed  forty-one  years,  the  mother  of  five  sons— John  F.,  George  E., 
Joseph  IS.,  Thornton  A.  and  David  W.,  all  born  in  Ohio.  Mr. 
Bourell's  second  marriage,  in  1871,  was  to  Mrs.  Dowens,  of  Coshoc- 
ton County,  Ohio,  formerly  Lydia  Thompson.  ]\Ir.  Bomvll  carried 
on  farmino-  in  Ohio  till  comino-  to  Richland  County.  He  now  owns 
a  farm,  wlu're  he  resides,  of  fifty-two  acres,  which  is  imi)roved, 
with  a  fine  orchard  of  twenty-five  acres.  Part  of  this  orchard  is 
eleven  years  old,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county.  Last  year 
he  sold'from  this  orchard  over  $1,500  worth  of  apples.  This  year  he 
has  sold  $1,000  worth,  and  has  still  on  hand  aliout  $400  worth. 
His  principal  apple  is  the  "Ben  Davis,"  although  he  raises  large 
(luantities  of  ditterent  varieties. 

HENRY  L.  BOWER,  born  July  14,  1S34,  in  Ashland  County, 
Ohio,  is  the  son  of  P.  P.  Bower,  who  was  born  in  Germany.     At  the 
a(>-c  of  seven  he  came  with   his  father  to  Richland  County,  learned 
the  coopers'  trade  in  Olney,  and  followed  this   till    18G2,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  (Mounted)  Infantry, 
and  served  till  the  end  of  the  war  ;  he  then  went  to  Clay  City,  and 
worked  at  the  coopers' trade  two  years  ;  he  then  removed  to  Alton, 
where  he  worked  two  years  ;  then   returned  to  Olney,  and  contin- 
ued at  his  trade  about 'two   years  ;  since  this  time  he  has  been  en- 
o-a'^-ed  in  farmino-;  also    the  past  three  years  in  the  milk  business  ; 
Hc^owns  ten  acres  in  Section  11,  where  he  now  lives.     He  was  mar- 
ried in  18(51  to  Caroline  Howland,  who   was  born  in  Ohio,  and  who 
died  in  18(57,  aged  thirty-two,  leaving  two  sons.     His  second  mar- 
riage, in  18i;8,  was  to  Mary  E.  Edwards,  who  was  born  in   Edwards 
County,  Illinois.     This  union  is  bk'ssed  with  one  son. 

liON.  WILLIAM  BOWER,  druggist  and  cigar  manufacturer, 
was  born  in  Obuy,  111.,  May  21,  1842,  and  was  the  second 
person  born  within  "the  limits  of  the  village  after  it  was  laid  out. 
He  was  the  second  child  born  to  Philip  P.  and  Mary  (Dundore) 
r>ower,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, but  of  Swedish  and  German  descent.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
years  Philip  P.  Bower  emigrated  to  this  country,  first  settling  in 
Pennsylvania.     In  l.SlOhecame   to   Illinois  and  settled  in  what  is 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  731 

now  Oliicy,  where  for  many  years  he  followed  the  trade  of  eabinet- 
makcr,  operalin^-  at  the  same  time  a  large  farm.  In  1850  he  en- 
^ged  ill  merchandisinc:,  at  Olney,  but  after  many  years  retired  to 
his  farm,  whore  his  d(nith  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  1S73,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-nine  years.  He  was  one  of  the  most  promiuent  pioneers  oi 
Richland  Couuly.  He  and  his  wife  were  both  members  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Church,t()  which  church  and  its  schools  he  was  a  large  contrib- 
utor, providing  in  his  will  for  the  building  of  the  present  church 
structure  of  that  douominat  ion,  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city.  William 
Bower,  our  subjec^t,  received  a  fair  common  school  education  in  his 
youth.  Afterward  he  attended  school  at  the  old  log  schoolhouse 
(still  standing)  of  Olney,  and  finished  his  education  at  the  Olney 
Seminary.  His  mother  died  in  185(5,  shortly  after  which  event  he 
left  home,  and  commenced  for  himself  as  a  teacher.  He  next  com- 
menced the  trade  of  marble-cutter  ;  after  a  few  months'  experience, 
he  engaged  as  an  apprentice  at  watch-making,  but  never  finished 
the  trade.  He  tlien  served  an  apprenticeshi})  of  two  years  at  the 
tinners'  trade.  In  the  spring  of  18(J1,  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Infantry,  for  three  months'  service.  On  his  return  home 
he  taught  a  six  months'  term  of  school,  and  in  the  spring  of  1862 
he  re-eidistcd  in  Company  I,  Tliirty-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  regiment  until  October, 
1863,  when  he  was  taken  prisoner,  paroled  and  sent  home.  He  was 
never  exchanged,  but  after  the  close  of  the  war  received  his  hon- 
orable discharge.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he  enraged  in  the  drusf  trade, 
and,  by  imlustry  and  energy,  has  built  up  a  large  business.  During 
the  last  seven  years  he  has  been  extensively  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  cigars.  He  is  also  the  agent  of  the  Standard  Oil  Com- 
pany, at  Olney.  He  carries  a  stock  of  from  $12,000  to  $15,001)  of 
goods,  and  his  annual  sales,  in  all  departments,  amount  to  from 
$50,000  to  $60,000.  In  1876  Mr.  Bower  was  nominated  by  the  Dem- 
ocratic Convention  for  Representative  in  the  Legislature.  This  he 
however  declined,  and  accepted  the  nomination  on  the  Greenback 
ticket  for  the  State  Sc^nate.  Two  years  later  he  was  again  nom- 
inated for  the  Legislature  by  the  Democrats  of  the  Forty-Fourth 
District,  and  carried  the  district  by  a  large  majority.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  Thirty-First  General  Assembly,  where  he 
originated  some  im]iortant  moasinvs.  On  November  29,  18(54,  Mr. 
Bower  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  Ridgway,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  W. 
Ridgway,  of  Olney.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them,  three 
of  whom  are  still  livinir-  Mr.  Bower  belongs  to  no  church,  but  is 
a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &A.M.,  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
ELI  BOVVYER,  M.  D.,  ex-Brcvet-Brigadier-General,Postmaster 
at  Olney,  III.,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  March  20, 
1818,  and  is  the  third  of  nine;  children  born  to  John  and  Jane 
(Shepler)  Bowyer,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter 
of  Pennsylvania.  TIk;  Bowyers  were  of  English  and  German,  and 
the  Sheplers  of  English,  Scotch  and  Irish  descent.  The  Bowyers 
in  America  are  descended  from    an  old  English  family  who  settled 


732  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES UICHLAND    COUNTY: 

in  Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  in  the  early  colonization  of  that  State- 
John  Bowyer  received  a  good  common  school  and  academic  educa- 
tion in  youth.     When  only  a  small  lad  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  while  he  was  yet  a  young  man,  in   1802,  the 
family  removed   to  southwestern  Ohio.       John    finally   settled   in 
Warren    County,    Ohio,    where    he  bought   a   body  of  unimproved 
land,  erected  a  cabin,  and  subsequently  improved  a  farm.     Here  he 
resided  until  his  death.     Eli  Bowyer,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  re- 
ceived the  major  part  of  his  education  at  the  Harveysburgh  Acad- 
emy, in  his  native  county.     On   leaving   school  he  commenced  life 
as  a  teacher,  and   continued  in  this  avocation  for  two   years.     He 
then  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  G.  Paulding,  of  War- 
ren County,  and  continued  his  medical  studies  for  a  further  period 
of  eighteen   months,  under  the   instruction  of  Prof.    Jesse  P.  Jud- 
kins,  of  Cincinnati.     He    attended  lectures    primarily  at   the  Wil- 
loughby  University,    and   finally  at  the    Ohio  Medical  College,  in 
Cincinnati,  where  he  graduated   in  1844.     He  then  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Mason,  Warren  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
resided  during  the  following  two  years.     At  the  expiration  of  that 
time  he  removed  to  Prairieton,  Ind.,   and    was    professionally  en- 
gaged in  that  city  for  seven  years.     From  Prairieton  he  removed  to 
Sullivan,  in  the  same  State.     Here  he  remained   for   seven  years, 
when  he  was  again  compelled  to  change  his  location,  on    account  of 
failing  health.     In   18(>0,  he  came  to'Olney,  111.,  where  for  several 
months   he   relin(|uished   the   practice  of  medicine.     In  18(51  he  en- 
tered the  United  States  Army  as  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Eleventh 
Missouri  Infantry,  which  was  composed  principally  of  Illinois  vol- 
unteers.    In  1862  he  was  made  Division  Surgeon,  under  Gen.  Plum- 
mer,   by  order   of  Gen.    Pope.     Sul)sequently  he  was  commissioned 
Major,  then   Lieutenant-Colonel,    and    finally,    after  the  battle  ot 
Vicksburg,  Colonel  of  the  regiment.     He  entered   upon  his  duties 
as  a  commanding  officer   without  previous  military  training,  but  by 
diligent  study,  although   almost  constantly  in  front  of  the  enemy, 
he  became  proficient  in  th(;  art.     In  March,  1805,  he  was   brevetted 
Brigadier-General,  by  President  Johnson,  as  stated  in   his  conunis- 
sion,  "  for  gallant  and  meritorious   service."       He  participated  in 
all  the  principal    battles   in  which  the  Army  of  the  Southwest  was 
engaged.     Among   them   were   the  si(\ges  of  Vicksburg,    Jackson, 
New  Madrid  and  Island   No.  10,  the   ))attles  of  Corinth,  luka  and 
Nashville,  where  he  was  Avounded  in    the  left  arm  and  left  leg.     He 
was  mustered  out  with  his  regiment,  in  January,  18(j(),  at  Saint  Louis, 
Mo.     His  patriotism,  bravery,  and  ability  as  a    comnuiuding  ofiicer, 
are  abundantly  attested  by  his  high  testimonials  from  such  General 
officers  as   L.  F.   Ilubbartl,  D.    W.  Magee,  John    Mc Arthur,  A.  J. 
Smith  and  J.  A.  Mower.     After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Olney,  Avhere  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.     In  18(57  he 
represented  the  counties  of  Clay  and  Uichland  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature.    In  1870  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  South- 
ern Normal    University,  and   ofliciated   as   president  of  the  Board- 


OIA'EY    CITV    AND    TOWNSHIP.  733 

In  Deecinbor,  1.S79,  lie  was  conimissioned  postmaster  at  Olney, 
which  [)()sitioii  he  still  holds.  The  Doctor  was  married  in  October, 
1844,  to  Martha  A.  Cox,  a  native  of  Warren  Count3%  Ohio.  Two 
dau«^htcrs  blessed  their  nuion,  viz,  :  Mary  J.  and  Emma  K,  (now 
Mrs.  II.  C.  Luders  of  Philadelphia).  The  elder  daughter,  Mary  J., 
was  a  fifraduate  of  the  Ohio  Female  College,  but  died  three  years 
after  receiving  her  degree,  from  injuries  receivcnl  during  a  fire  at 
that  institution.  Both  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  mend)t'rs  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  lie  is  also  a  member  of  Olney  Lodire,  No. 
140,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Richland  Lodge,  No.  180,  I.  O.  O-  F.,  and  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the 
representative  men,  not  onlv  of  the  countv,  but  of  the  State. 

JOHN  C  BROCKMAX  was  born  in  Germany,  January  31, 
1830,  and  is  the  fifth  of  ten  chihh-cm  born  to  Peter  and  Anna  (Gies- 
chen)  Brockman,  both  natives  of  Gcrman3^  Peter  Brockman  was 
educated  and  married  in  Germany,  where  in  early  youth  he  learned 
the  carpenters!  trade,  and  followed  the  same  all  his  life.  John  C. 
Brockman,  our  subject,  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Hanover,  Germany.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  carpen- 
ters' trade  with  his  father.  In  1848  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  first  settling  at  Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  followed  his  trade 
for  some  eighteen  months.  He  was  then  employed  as  a  salesman 
in  a  drug,  and  then  in  a  grocery  store,  for  about  three  years.  In 
18)5  he  started  a  confectionery  of  his  own,  in  Saint  Louis,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  business  for  one  year.  In  18,")()  he  removed  to  New- 
ton, Jasper  Co.,  III.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  drug  and 
grocery  trade  for  some  six  years.  Dnring  the  war  he  was  engaged 
in  the  sutler  business,  principally  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land. After  his  return  he  came  to  Olney,  111-,  where  he,  in  company 
with  Mr.  David  Scott  and  Mr.  Theodore  Schilferstine,  engaged  in 
general  merchandising,  under  the  firm  name  of  Scott,  Schifierstine 
&  Co.  After  about  seven  years,  Mr.  Schifierstine  retired,  since 
which  time  the  business  has  been  conducted  luider  the  firm  name  of 
Scott  &  Brockman.  They  carry  a  large  and  well-selected  stock  of 
dry  goods,  hats  and  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  clothing,  groceries 
provisions  and  queensware,  and  are  doing  an  extensive  business. 
Mr.  Brockman  was  for  one  term  County  TreasurerofJasi)cr  County, 
111.,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  Richland  County.  He  was  married  in  1854,  to  Johanna  Gren- 
inger,  a  native  of  Switzerland.  Five  children  have  blessed  their 
union,  only  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Brockman's  family 
are  of  the  Catholic  faith.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  In 
politics  he  is  a  R'^[)ul)lican,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  lead- 
inof  business  men  of  the  city  and  county. 

JUDGE  R.  S.  CANBY  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
September  30,  1808,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Pcdrick) 
Canby,  the  former  a  native  of  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  and  born  in 
May,  1781,  and  a  prominent  physician,  who  died  in  Logan  County, 
Ohio,  in    February,   1843.     His  wife  was   a   native  of  New  Jersey, 


734  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — KICHLAND    COUNIT: 

born  in  1787,  and  died  in  Lebanon,  Ohio.  Onr  subject  received  a 
lai-frer  part  of  his  education  at  Oxford,  Butler  County,  Ohio.  In 
1829  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio, 
and  while  thus  engaged,  read  law  with  Mr.  B.  Stanton.  In  1840, 
he  began  the  practice  of  law  ;  in  1845  he  was  elected  to  the  Leg- 
islature ;  in  184(),  he  was  elected  from  the  Twelfth  Congressional 
District  of  Ohio  as  a  member  of  Congress.  After  fillini^  this  hon- 
orable position,  he  moved  on  1,000  acres,  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  afterward  removed  to  Bellefontaine,  to 
educate  his  children.  In  March,  1863,  he  moved  to  Olney,  111., 
where  he  again  resumed  law.  June,  18G7,  he  was  elected  Judge  of 
the  Circuit  Court,  which  office  he  creditably  filled  for  six  years, 
after  which  he  resumed  law,  which  he  continued  until  1882,  since 
which  time  he  has  lived  retired.  March  16,  1835,  he  married  Eliza 
Simpson,  of  Ciiillicothe,  Ohio  ;  she  died  in  January,  18()7.  Judge 
Canby  was  a  AVhig,  before  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  Republican.  He  is  highly 
esteemed,  and  a  most  worthy  citizen,  and  is  a  member  of  the  !Swe- 
denborg  Church. 

ALVIN  CLEM,  of  the  firm  of  A.&  J.  Clem,  tile  manufacturers, 
was  born  August  15,  1849,  in  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the 
son  of  Joel  and  Magdaline  (Kessler)  Clem.  His  father  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  reared  in  Ohio,  and  he  worked  at  the  millwright 
and  other  kinds  of  business.  In  1853  the  family  removed  to  Rich- 
land County,  settled  on  wdiat  was  known  as  the  Harmon  Farm  •, 
there  the  father  died,  in  1858,  aged  iifty-four  years  ;  the  mother 
died  in  IHII,  aged  sixty-four  years.  Alvin  owns  forty  acres  in  Sec- 
tion 9,  where  he  now  resides,  which  is  improved,  with  a  very  com- 
fortable house,  barn,  and  other  outbuildings.  He,  with  his  brother 
Josiah,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  tile,  in  1883-  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1870,  to  Catharine  Feutz,  who  was  born  in  Germany.  Jo- 
siah owns  sixty  acres  where  this  factory  is  located.  He  was  married 
in  18G8,  to  Alice  Banks,  of  Vermont.  They  have  two  children,  one 
son  and  one  dausfhter. 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  S.  COCHENNOUR,  district  agent  and  ad- 
juster of  Rockford  Insurance  Company,  was  born  in  Ashland 
County,  Ohio,  December  7,  1.S40,  ancl  is  the  oldest  of  seven  chil- 
dren born  to  Daniel  and  Harriet  A.  (Smalley)  Cochennour,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Ashland  County,  Ohio,  and  of  German  and 
Scotch  descent.  Daniel  had  a  fair  education  in  his  native  State, 
being  a  schoolmate  of  Thad  Stevens.  He  learned  the  tailors'  trade. 
In  1841  he  moved  to  what  is  noAV  Bonpas  Township,  in  this  county, 
and  farmed  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
afterward  moved  to  Clareniont,  and  followed  the  mercantile  and 
stock  raising  trades  until  his  death  in  1)S7().  He  was  in  the  com- 
munion of  the  Catholic  Church  until  some  years  before  death, 
when  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Ei)iscopal  denomination.  The 
education  of  John  S.  was  limite.l  to  the  log  sciioolhouse  of  Illi- 
nois, and  he  assisted  upon    the    home    farm    until   April   14,  1861^ 


OLXEY    CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  735 

when  ho  entered  the  United  States  Ami}',  euroUin^i;-  in  Company 
I,  Eiofhth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  three  months, 
ensfan-ino:  in  one  battle,  Charleston,  Mo.  lie  re-enlisted  on  Decem- 
ber 24,  18()1,  in  Company  H,  Sixtieth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  served  until  February  17,  LSUf),  when  he  was  dis('haro(^d  at 
Cincinnati  on  account  of  a  wound  received  at  J()nesborouij:h,  on 
the  Georgian  campaign,  and  from  which  he  lost  his  left  leg.  He 
rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  passing  through  most  of  the  inter- 
mediate grades.  He  was  made  Captain  in  the  latter  part  of  l8Go. 
On  his  return  from  the  army  he  was  immediately  made  Collector 
of  Gluey,  receiving  all  the  votes  but  eleven.  He  served  one  year, 
and  lias  since  been  employed  in  various  tmding  pursuits.  For  the 
past  two  years  Capt.  Cochennour  has  been  (Muployed  as  district 
and  adjusting  agent  for  the  Kockford  Insurance  Company.  In 
1874  he,  with  an  assistant,  captured  and  imprisoned  a  gang  of 
seven  of  the  worst  desperadoes  that  ever  infested  southern  Illi- 
nois. Gur  Captain  was  married,  in  March,  18G4,  to  Caroline  C., 
a  daughter  of  Sylvester  and  Eliza))eth  Utterback,  of  this  place. 
Gne  son  and  a  daughter  bless  this  marriage.  He  belongs  to  the 
I.  G.  G.  F.  and  G.  A.  R. 

AVILLIA:\I  R.  CGMBS  was  born  April  ;3,  1826,  in  Phila- 
delphia. In  1831  his  parents  removed  to  what  is  uoav  Vinton 
County,  Ghio  ;  th(!re  he  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  In  the 
fall  of  1841  they  came  to  Richland  Connty,  and  settled  in  Preston 
Township.  In  18.'),)  his  father  removed  to  ^Missouri,  where  he  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-one.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  1847,  bought 
fifty-six  acres  in  German  Townshii)  ;  this  he  improved,  and  afterwards 
sold.  January  G,  1855,  he  returned  to  Gluey,  and  with  the  excep- 
tion of  having  spent  four  years  in  north  Missouri,  has  resided  liere 
ever  since.  Mr.  Combs  has  been  eight  years  Constable  and  Deputy 
Sheriif.  He  enlisted,  May  14,  1.SG4,  in  Company  G,  Gne  Hundred 
and  Thirty-Sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment of  one  hundred  days.  He  was  married,  November  23, 1848,  to 
Sarah  AI.  Chancy,  who  was  liorn  September  S,  1829,  in  Glney 
Township,  Richland  Co.,  Ill-  They  had  nine  children,  five  of  Avhoni 
are  living,  Benjamin  F.,  William  L,  Cynthia  E.  (wife  of  Theo. 
Cotchell,  of  Mercer  County,  Mo.),  Charles  L.  and  Emma  L.  (now 
attending  school).     They  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

B.  F.  CGMBS,  master  car[)('nter  for  the  G.  t't  M.  R:iil  way,  was  born 
Septendjcr  1),  1849,  in  German  Township,  Richland  County.  At  about 
the  age  of  thirt(;en  he  commenced  to  learn  the  carpenters'  trade  with 
his  father,  who  had  been  carrying  on  this  business.  In  about  1870, 
he  secured  em[)loyment  with  the  G.  tVc  M.  Railway,  and  for  tlu;  past  six 
years  has  been  foreman  of  the  pile-driver  and  construction  gang. 
He  was  married  Sej)tember  12,  1880,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of  Elbert 
Sands.  She  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  111.  Her  jiarents 
removed  to  New  York  City  when  she  was  about  three  years  old,  and 
there  she  was  reared  and  receivc^d  a  collegiate  education.  This  mar- 
riage is  blessed  with  one  danghter.     Mr.  Combs  enlisted,  in  18G4,  in 


78(1  lUOfiltAPTnCAL    SKETCHES — ItlCHLAND   COUNTY: 

Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Sixth   Illinois  Infantry,  as 
drummer,  and  served  his  term  of  enlistment — one  hundred  days. 

JAMES  R.  DALES,  hotel  pro[)rietor,  was  born  in  Livingston 
County,  X.  Y.,  Auirust  30,  1824,  and  is  the  fiflh  of  seven  children 
born  to  Hugh  and  ^Nlaroaret  (Blakeley)  Dales,  both  natives  of  New 
York  and  of  Irish  ancestry.  Hui^h  received  a  fair  education  and 
married  in  his  native  State,  and  early  in  life  moved  to  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y..  where  he  was  one  of  the  first  settlers.  He  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  in  185U.  He  and  wife  were 
members  of  the  Associate  Keformed  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was 
a  soldier  during-  the  war  of  1812.  James  R.  had  the  advantages  of 
good  common  schooling  and  academic  instruction  in  New  York.  He 
assisted  his  father  npon  the  farm  work  until  his  twenty-sixth  year. 
He  then  went  to  Cuylerville  and  engaged  in  merchandising  there  for 
manv  years,  and  where  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  also,  for  some 
timel  In  IKGl  he  went  to  Fulton  County,  Ind.,  and  followed  agri- 
cnltural  pursuits  for  four  years,  and  was  a  Trustee  in  that 
county.  In  ISCC),  Mr.  Dales  went  to  Enfield,  AVhite  Co.,  111.,  lived 
there  three  years  and  during  two-thirds  of  the  time  kept  a  hotel. 
In  18G9,  he  went  to  Fairfield,  Wayne  County,  also  kept  a  hotel  for  sev- 
eral years;  in  1877,  came  to  Olney,  and  has  since  resided  here,  and 
foUoVcd  the  same  business.  He  is  now  proprietor  of  the  Commer- 
cial Hotel,  one  of  the  best  on  the  O.  &  M-  Railway.  i\Ir.  Dales  has 
been  twice  married.  On  November  2,  1848,  he  wedded  Susan  A. 
Scott,  a  union  blessed  by  six  children,  of  whom  four  daughters  and 
•one  son  are  living.  ]Mrs.  Dales  departed  this  life  on  August  17, 
1881,  and  April  18,  1883,  Mr.  Dales  was  nnited  to  Olive  D.  (Cole) 
Eraser,  a  native  of  OsAvego  County,  N.  Y.  Our  subject  has  been 
many  years  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Fairfield,  and  for  over  thirty 
years  a  Presbyterian,  and  is  much  interested  in  Sunday-school  mat- 
ters, having  had  a  Bible  class  in  Olney  ever  since  he  has  lived  here. 
He  has  helped  organize  three  churches. 

ANDREW  DARLING  was  born  at  Berwickshire,  in  the  parish 
of  Preston,  Scothind,  in  November,  1820,  and  came  to  this  country 
with  his  lather's  family  in  1.S2.>.  In  1847,  he  came  to  Olney  and 
opened  a  store  on  Main  Street.  Here  he  entered  into  a  partnershij) 
with  William  Newell,  Avhich  continued  until  18r)2.  At  this  time 
the  ().  cSc  M.  Railroad  was  in  process  of  construction,  and  in  connec- 
tion with  Joseph  Harmon  he  took  a  contract  ui)on  the  road,  which 
<'ontiiuied  for  two  years=  In  connection  with  and  following  upon 
this,  he  engaged  in  the  sale  of  real  estate;  and  on  the  comi)lction  of 
the  road,  took  charge  of  the  Olney  House  in  partnership  with  Alfred 
Kitchell.  February  20,  iSaO,  he  m'arricda  daughter  of  Hon.  James  M. 
McLean.  Shedied'in  l-SCl.  Mr.  Darling  M'as'a  large  contributor  to 
the  building  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Oln.^y,  and  to  the  support 
of  the  ministry.  Ou  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  received  an 
ap])()iiitnuMit  in  the  Provost  iNIarsliaTs  otlice,  which  i)lace  he  held 
until  the  oflice  was  al)()lisl)ed.  In  bSlli;,  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Olney  was  organized,  largcdy  througii  his   instrumentality,  and  he 


OLNEV    CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  737 

was  !ii)j)ointe(l  cashier,  which  office  he  liehl  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  April  2(S,  1874  In  18()(>  he  was  married  to  Ada  Clubb, 
dauii^hter  of  Canada  Clubb,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Illinois.  In  I87,'i 
Mr.  Darling  joined  the  Cono:ref.nitional  Church.  jNIr.  Darlinii"  pos- 
sessed, to  a  remarkable  dea"i"ee,  a  power  of  attaching-  to  himself 
very  warm  friends. 

GP:( )RGE  p.  DAVIS,  Townshi J)  Constable  and  oeneral  collect- 
or, was  born  in  Blount  County,  Tenn.,  March  '>,  l.S.'IT,  and  is  the  second 
in  a  family  of  ten  children  (all  living)  born  to  John  and  Martha 
(Maxwell)  Davis,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  of  Scotch  and  Irish 
descent  respectively-  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Davis, 
Sr.,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  last  pen- 
sioner of  that  w^ar  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.  His  death  occurred  in  Jan- 
uary, 1851),  in  his  one  hundred  and  fifth  year.  John  Davis,  Jr.,  is  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  and  followed  the  same  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing, in  Tennessee,  until  1878  or  187*J,wlien  he  removed  to  Ilopkins- 
ville,  Ky.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  was  Major  in  the  Tennessee 
State  Militia  for  several  years.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  George  P.  Davis,  the  su)>ject,  received  a  fair  edu- 
cation at  the  subscription  schools  of  his  native  State,  and  was  em- 
ployed on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old.  In 
March,  1802,  he  was  conscripted  for  service  in  the  rebel  army,  but 
being  a  Union  man  he  joined  a  company  of  refugees  and  came  north, 
arriving  at  Newton,  111.,  June  14,  18()2.  The  next  year  he  com- 
menced teaching,  and  taught  for  some  fom-  years  in  Jas[)er  County. 
He  was  then  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  the  same  county  for 
some  three  years.  In  1869  he  removed  to  Claremont,  Richland  Co., 
111.,  where  in  the  following  year  he  was  elected  Constable.  In  the 
spring  of  1872  he  came  to  Olney,  and  in  the  following  spring  he 
was  elected  Constable,  which  office  he  has  held  ever  since.  In  the 
fall  of  1878,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Sherilf  of  Richland  County, 
and  held  that  office  until  the  fall  of  1882.  He  was  married  March 
2(),  18()8,  to  Margaret  A.  Maxwell,  a  native  of  IJoonc  County,  Ind. 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  four  of  Avhom  are  living.  Mr. 
Davis  belono-s  to  no  church,  but  is  a  member  of  Olney  Lodge,  No. 
140,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  7(1, 'A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  of  the  Olney  Lodge  of  Select  Knights  A.  O.  U.  AV.  In  ])olitics 
Mr.  Davis  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  i)rom- 
iuent  citizens  of  the  city  and  county. 

SYLVESTER  J.  ECKENRODE  was  born  in" Franklin  County, 
Penn.,  April  21,  1838,  the  oldest  of  four  children  l)()rn  to  C'onrad 
and  Catharine  A.  (Cain)  Eckcnrodc,  bothnativesof  IV'unsylvania,  and 
of  German  and  English  descent  respectively.  Conrad  Eckenrode  in 
early  life  learned  the  millers'  trade,  following  it  until  1848,  when  he 
engaged  in  fai'ming,  which  he  continued  until  his  death  which 
occurred  in  18(!;'5.  Sylvester  .1.  Eckcnrodc,  the  subject,  recciv(xl  a 
common  school  education  in  youth,  and  was  employed  on  his  fath- 
er's farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  He  then  learned  the  brick 
masons'  trade,  which  he  followed  for  about  four  years.     In  October, 


738  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES RICHLAND    COUNTY: 

1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Xintli  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and  serv- 
ed with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  nntil  nearly 
the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1865.  He  participated  in  the  ])attles  of  Perr\"ville,  Stone  River, 
Chickamauga,  Knoxville,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Atlanta  and 
many  other  lesser  engagements.  He  also  accompanied  Gen.  Sher- 
man's arm}"  in  the  memorable  march  to  the  sea.  After  his  return  from 
the  army  he  opened  a  small  country  store  at  Amberson'sYalley,  Frank- 
lin Co.,Penn.,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  when  he  removed  to  Sum- 
ner, Lawrence  Co.,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  general  merchandising. 
He  was  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  grain  and  agricultural  imple- 
ment trade.  In  1881,  he  sold  out  his  l)usiness  at  Sumner  and  bought  a 
large  farm  in  Noble  Township,  Richland  Co.,  III.,  where  he  engaged 
extensively  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  the  spring  of  1883,  when 
he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  farming  on  account  of  failing 
health.  In  September,  188.3,  he  opened  a  dry  goods  store  at 
Olney,  111.  He  carries  a  large  and  Avell  selected  stock  of  dry 
goods,  boots  and  shoes,  hats  and  caps,  and  carpets — the  latter  being 
a  specialty — amounting  to  about  $30,000.  His  is  by  tar  the  largest 
stock  of  the  kind  in  the  city.  He  was  married  in  August,  1865, 
to  Marv  E.  McElhenev,  a  native  of  Pennsvlvania.  Eiofht  chil- 
dren  were  born  to  them,  only  six  of  whom,  tour  sons  and  two 
daughters,  are  living.  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church.     In  politics  Mr.  Eckeqrode  is  independent. 

D.  L.  ED^USTOX,  grocer,  was  born  January  31,  1837,  in 
Clark  County,  Ind.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Newell ) 
Edmiston,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  His  father  worked  at  the 
painters'  trade,  also  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  In  about  18.50, 
the  family  emigrated  to  Illinois;  settled  in  Claremont  Town- 
ship, and  there  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared.  He  enlisted, 
in  1862,  in  Companv  H,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantrv, 
which  was  afterward  consolidated  with  the  Seventy-:5»eventh  Illi- 
nois. He  served  three  years  and  participated  in  the  engagements 
at  Magnolia  Hills,  Black  River,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Jackson  and 
others.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Edmiston  came  to  Olney  and 
engaged  in  painting,  and  continued  this  business  till  l<s78.  On 
account  of  failing  health  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  this  trade;  then 
bought  out  the  grocery  house  of  B.  F.  Moore  and  has  since  been 
eng-dged  in  this  business;  he  also  carries  on  a  branch  store  which  he 
opened  in  Se]itember,  1883. 

CHRISTIAN  EGGLER  was  born  in  Canton  Berne,  Switz- 
erland, December  13,  1838,  and  is  the  eldest  of  nine  children,  eight 
still  living,  born  to  AVilliam  and  Anna  (Weiss)  Eggler.  William 
Eggler  was  educated,  reared  and  married  in  Switzerland,  his  native 
land,  and  was  employed  there  as  an  engineer  on  a  steamboat  for 
many  years.  In  Ls.dO,  or  1851,  he  came  to  Richland  County  and 
entered  and  bought  300  acres  of  wild  land,  in  Prestoi>  Township. 
He  improved  a  farm  and  resided  upon  it  until  his  death,  on  January 
1,  l'S77.     For  many  vears  Mr.  Edgier  ran  the  eni^-ine  in  Mr.  Newell's 


t 


OLNEY    CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  739 

pork  packinir  establishment,  at  Olney.  He  and  wife  belonged  to 
the  German  Reformed  Church.  Christian  Eggler,  the  subject, 
received  a  limited  education  in  his  native  Switzerland.  At  the  aore 
of  eleven  years  he  emiirratod  to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents. 
In  October,  isOl,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Benton  Cadets,  who 
formed  a  part  of  Gen.  Fremont's  body-^ruard.  He  was  mustered 
out  in  January,  ISirJ.  He  was  then  employed  as  a  laborer  about 
the  pork  and  irrain  house  of  John  Gun,  of  Olney,  for  some  two  years. 
After  this  he  was  employed  as  enirineerin  the  Butler  Street  Flouring 
Mills  for  some  sixteen  yeai*s.  While  here  the  boiler  bursted  and  he 
narrowly  escaped  with  his  life.  Durinpr  this  time  he  also  owned 
an  interest  in,  and  a  part  of  the  time  helix>d  to  run  the  first  steam 
threshing  machine  ever  run  in  Richland  Coimty.  In  April.  lb>'2,  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  a  saloon,  in  company  with  Henry  Von  All- 
men,  at  Olney,  and  is  still  eng-aored  in  that  business.  In  186.">,  Mr. 
Eggler  married  Phebe  A.  Aniold,  a  native  of  this  county.  They 
have  had  nine  children,  of  whom  two  sons  and  four  daughtei-s  are 
living.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church.  He  belongs  to  the  Subordinate  and  Select  Knights,  to  the 
A.  O.  U.  AV.,  in  which  he  is  now  I.  AV.,  and  to  the  G.  A.R. 

GOTTLIEB  EGGLER,  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  was  bom  in 
Canton  Berne,  Switzerland,  March  1(),  184.5,  and  is  the  tifth  of  the 
nine  children  boiTi  to  William  and  Anna  (Weiss)  Eggler.  Gottlieb 
received  only  an  ordiuarv  education  in  rude  schoolhouses.  In  the 
spnng  of  1863,  he  began  to  learn  the  shoemakers'  trade.  In  May, 
18<34,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Sixth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  regiment  until 
October  22, 18»34,  when  he  was  mustered  out,  at  SpringiSeld,  III.  He 
then  finished  learninof  his  chosen  trade,  and  worked  for  several  vears 
at  it.  In  1870,  he  opened  a  boot  and  shoe  house,  and  has  followed 
this  business  ever  since.  He  has  a  very  Avell  selected  stock  of  goods 
and  has  a  large  patronage.  In  the  year  1866,  he  wedded  Maria  O., 
daughter  of  Lloyd  Rawlings,  a  pioneer  and  noted  hunter.  They 
have  had  three  children — one  son  and  two  daughters.  The  parents 
belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  Mr.  Eggh  r  has 
held  various  otiicial  positions.  He  is  a  member  of  Olney  Post,  No. 
19,  G-  A.  R.,  and  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  is  an  early  settler, 
and  is  very  prominent  in  business  circles. 

WILLIAM  ELLIOTT  (deceased)  was  bora  in  Rowan  County, 
N.  C.,  in  1810.  At  an  early  day  his  father,  James  Elliott,  moved  to 
Barren  County,  Ky.,  from  there  to  Washington,  Ind.,  with  the 
intention  of  coming  to  Illinois,  but  was  prevented  from  settling  in 
the  territory  on  account  of  the  war  of  1812.  As  soon  after  as  prac- 
tical he  settled  in  Lawrence  County,  111.,  near  Sumner.  In  1824, 
William  moved  with  his  father  to  where  Olne}'  now  stands.  Here 
he  purchased  ItJO  acres  of  land  of  David  Rollins'.  Some  of  the  prin- 
cipal portion  of  Olney  has  been  built  on  this.  In  1851.  James,  the 
father  of  AVilliim.  did.  Th.>  latter  improved  so  well  iho  n,)pi)i-- 
tunities  that  were  at  that  day  offered  to  him  that  at  his  death,  in 


740 


JJIOGKAI'HirAL    SKETCHES — IIICIII.AXI)    COINTV 


1874,  he  was  worth  upwards  of  $50,000.  Ho  was  twice  married — 
first  to  Elizabeth  Shidler,  in  1828,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons.  This 
lady  died  in  1830.  In  1834,  he  married  Alta  Webster,  a  native  of 
-New  York.  John  Elliott,  the  only  living  ehild  of  William  Elliott, 
was  born  in  Richland  County,  III.,  Xovember  3,  1833,  and  with  the 
exception  of  two  years  he  has  resided  on  the  old  homestead.  He  has 
been  married  three  times — first,  December  12,  1854,  to  Ann  M., 
daughter  of  Lomucl  and  Clarissa  (Broughton)  Truitt.  She  was 
born  in  Maryland,  February  14,  18o(),  died  April  12,  1803.  She 
was  the  mother  of  three  children — Jeannette,  bom  February  25, 
1855;  Ira  G.,  l)orn  Octolicr  24,  1860,  died  July  20,  1880,  and  Harry 
F.,  ])orn  March  15,  18()2.  Mr.  E.  next  married,  April  27,  18(35, 
Evalena  B.  Grass,  she  being  the  daughter  of  Alford  H.  and  Susan 
Snyder.  She  Avas  born  in  Lawrence  County,  III.,  July  3,  1838,  and 
died  August  29,  1873;  four  children  were  born  to  them — James  H., 
born  January  2(),  1866;  William,  born  July  16,  1868;  Robert,  born 
September  18,  1869,  and  John,  born  Septeniber  12, 1870  ;  died  March 
8,  1871.  Mr.  E.  was  next  married,  December  9,  1875,  to  Mrs.  Mary 
A.  Zook,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Martha  (Dunl)ar)  Willhous. 
She  was  l)orii  in  Berks  County,  Penn.,  October  16,  183S.  One  child 
has  been  born  to  them — ^ Walter,  born  February  23,  1876;  died  Jan- 
uary 15,  1877.  Mr.  E.,  as  was  his  father,  is  a  Democrat  and  public 
spirited,  taking  an  active  part  in  all  local  enterprises  that  pertain  to 
the  better  interests  of  the  community.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

WILLIAM  FERRIMAN  was  born  in  the  Island  of  Jamaica, 
November  10, 1835,  and  is  the  fifth  of  fifteen  children  born  to  George 
and  Elizab:>th  A.  (McGill)  Ferriman.  William  was  educated  in 
the  English  subscription  scliools  of  Edwards  County.  At  the  age 
of  tweuty-one  he  wi>nt  to  Grayville,  and  was  employed  there  as 
salesman  in  a  wholesale  and  retail  hardware  and  grocer}^  store  for 
about  five  years.  On  April  15,  the  day  after  the  firing  on  Fort 
Sumter,  ^Ir.  Ferryman,  bi'iiig  patriotic,  went  to  Albion  and  helped 
recruit  a  company  of  102  men,  which  M'as  disbanded  after  repairing 
to  Camp  Anna,  near  Jonesboro,  III.,  the  quota  being  full.  In  Sep- 
tember he  helped  recruit  Com])anyI,  Thirty-Eighth  Illinois  Volun- 
teer InfantiT,  an<l  was  elected  First  Lieutenant.  In  the  spring  of 
18f)2  he  was  niadf;  Quartermaster  of  that  regiment,  and  served  till 
October,  lrS(i4,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  at  Jones- 
boro, Ga.,  by  reason  of  expiration  of  the  term.  Our  subject  again 
engaged  in  a  general  mercantile  trade  at  Noble,  in  this  county,  and 
was  also  a  contractor  on  a  railroad.  In  1869  he  went  on  the  road 
as  a  commercial  traveler,  in  which  capacity  he  has  l»een  engaged 
ever  since.  Mr.  Ferriman  married,  Septeniber  6,  18()G,  Alice  H., 
daughter  of  du(li:(>  dolin  ^l.  A^'ils()n,  one  of  Olney's  pioneers.  They 
have  one  child,  a  son — Frcdciick  II.  Mr.  Ferriman  is  a  member  of 
the  A.  F.  c^  A.  M..  and  S.  V.  R.  S. 

CHARLES  FERRIMAN  was  born  in  Albion,  Edwards  Co.,  111., 
July  2.S,  1.S42,  and  is  the  ninth  of  lifteen  children   born   to   George 


OLNEY    CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  741 

and  Eliziiboth  A.  (^McGill)  Fcrriman,  natives  of  P^ngland  and  of  the 
Island  of  Jamaica,  rospcctivply.  Goori>-e  was  bronirht  up  in  tiie 
parish  of  Wcstniorehind,  was  married  there  and  foHowcd  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  and  was  a  sea  captain,  as  his  father  owned  vessels 
runniuiT  from  the  West  Indies  to  EiiL'^land.  In  1.S37  he  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  to  Albion,  Edwards  Co.,  111.,  followed  merdian- 
disiniif  until  his  death,  June'  14,  I8i),3,  in  the  oonnnnnion  of  the  E[)is- 
copal  Church.  His  wife  is  a  member,  and  they  founded  that  branch 
of  the  chundi  whiidi  is  in  Albion.  Charles  received  a  oood  education, 
and  at  thirteen  years  of  a^-e  went  into  his  father's  store.  He 
remaineil  until  he  was  twenty,  then  went  to  15rid<>-eport  and  opened 
a  general  store  for  G.  Kleinwart,  remaininof  there  eio-hteen  months. 
In  the  sprinir  of  18G4  he  enlisted  in  Comp:iny  1,  Eiijhteenth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was  soon  dis(diariied,'and  in  tluit  fall  emrafred 
as  travelinof  salesman  for  firms  in  Cincinnati  until  1872,  wheu^he 
ensfaired  in  a  whoh^sale  trade  on  his  own  account  there,  in  company 
with  Gideon  Burton.  In  January,  1878,  he  sold  out  and  was  a  trav- 
eling salesman  and  collector  for  Shipley,  Crane  &  Co.'s  boot  and  shoe 
house,  in  Cincinnati,  and  is  still  employed  by  them.  In  November, 
1876,  Mr.  Ferriman  came  to  Gluey,  and  has  lived  here  since.  He 
has  a  large  sample-room  over  the  Olney  National  Bank,  and  his  res- 
idence is  very  fine,  and  is  tastefully  arranged.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council  for  a  term.  ]\Ir.  Ferriman  was  married  Sep- 
tember 12,  1867,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Henry  Ocorr,  of  Hart- 
ford, Conn.  Her  father  participated  in  the  border  wars  in  Kansas, 
and  now  lives  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.  They  have  two  children,  a  son 
and  one  daughter.  They  are  connnnnicants  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Ferriman  is  a  member  of  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  K.  A.  M.;  R.  &  S.  M., 
and  S.  P.  R.  S.,  is  a  Republican,  and  for  years  has  been  chairman  of 
tlie  Republican  Central  Committee  for  the  Sixteenth  Congressional 
District. 

FRANCIS  H.  FISK,  M.  D.,  Avas  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Janu- 
ary 15,  1836,  and  is  the  eldest  of  six  children  born  to  Robert  W. 
and  Mary  O.  (Rinsom)  Fisk,  the  former  a  native  of  Duchess 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  latter  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  In  earlv  life, 
Robert  W.  Fisk  removed  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  learned  the^  trade 
of  a  boiler  maker  and  machinist,  at  which  he  became  an  expert.  He 
put  in  the  engines  and  machinery  for  the  first  water  works  erected 
in  Cincinnati.  He  also  put  in  the  machinery,  and  for  a  time  was 
engineer  on  one  of  the  first  steam))oats  on  the  Ohio  River.  In  1810 
he  removed  to  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  where  he  soon  after  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  at  Milan,  Ind.  In  1850  he  graduated  from 
the  Eclectic  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  then  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Indiana,  where  he  remained 
until  1861,  when  he  came  to  Olney,  111.  Here  he  practiced  with 
good  success  until  his  deatii,  whi(di  occurred  in  June,  1874.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  also  of  the  Masonic  and 
Odd  Fellows  fraternities.  He  was  connnissioned  Assistant  Surgeon 
in  the  Volunteer  Service  of  the  United  States  dnrino-  the  late  Civil 


742  moGUArnicAL  sketches — ricilland  county: 

war,  but  soon  afterward  rt'siiiiied.  In  185(j  he  was  elected  by  the 
Democratic  party  of  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  to  the  State  Senate.  Fran- 
cis H.  Fisk,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  good  common 
school  and  academic  education  in  youth.  At  the  aire  of  eighteen 
years  he  connnonced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  father,  and  in 
1857  ofraduate:]  from  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute,  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  In  September  of  the  same  year,  he  went  to  Arkansas,  where 
he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession,  remaininof  about  two 
years.  In  1859  he  went  to  the  Choctaw  Nation  where  he  practiced 
for  another  two  years,  and  then  went  into  tlie  Cherokee  Nation, 
where  he  practiced  most  of  the  time  during  the  late  civil  war,  be- 
ing Surgeon  of  the  First  Cherokee  Regiment  (that  of  Col.  Stand 
Waite),  C.  S.  A.  Waite  was  afterwards  appointed  Brigadier-General, 
and  Dr.  Fisk  served  on  his  stall' as  Surgeon.  In  the  latter  part  of 
1865  he  removed  to  Upshur  County,  Texas,  where  he  practiced  until 
1869,  when  he  went  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  and  where  he  remained  until 
1874;  thence  to  Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  remaining  only  one  year.  In  1875 
the  Doctor  came  to  Olney,  111.,  where  he  has  since  practiced  his  pro- 
fession with  success.  He  was  married  in  May,  1866,  to  Lizzie  (Heas- 
let)  Witcher,  a  native  of  Texas,  and  a  niece  of  Senator  Matt  Ward, 
of  Texas.  Three  children  have  been  left  to  them,  one  son  and  two 
daughters.  Both  the  Doctor  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  76,  A. 
b.  U.  W.,  and  of  Olney  Legion  No.  18,  Select  Knights,  A.  O.  U.  W. 
He  is  Vice  President  of  the  Eclectic  Medical  Association  of  the  State 
of  Illinois,  and  holds  a  prominent  position  in  the  National  Eclectic 
Medical  Association.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

CALVIN  U.  FISHEL  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  December 
22,  1846,  and  is  the  second  of  nine  children  born  to  William  and  Re- 
gina  (Voglcr)  Fishel,  botli  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Gorman 
descent.  William  Fishel  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native 
State,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agri(;ultural  pursuits  for  many 
years.  In  1850  he  removed  to  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1867  he  came  to  Richland 
County,  111.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April 
20,  1879.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Moravian  Church. 
Calvin  U.  Fishel,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  only  an  ordi- 
nary common  school  education  in  the  primitive  log  schoolhouse  ot 
the  Indiana  frontier.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old.  In  May,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
I,  Sixty-Seventh  Indiana  Infantry,  and  in  the  following  Sei)tember 
he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Munfordville,  Ky.,  and  after  about  forty 
days  was  paroled  on  the  field.  In  November,  18()2,  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Eighteenth  ( United  States)  Infantry,  from  which 
regiment  he  was  discharged  in  May,  1863,  at  Imlianapolis,  Ind. 
In  December,  1863,  he  again  enlisted,  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirtieth  Indiana  Infantry,  in  which  Company  he  was  second 
duty  Sergeant.  On  August  (5,  18(54,  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  he  was  se- 
verely wounded  in  the  right  hip,  and  was  again  wounded  in  the  right 


OLNEV    CITY    AND    TOAVXSIIIP.  743 

l)reast,  at  Naslivillc,  Tcnii.,  l)(X'en)1)i'i-  I'),  l.sCl.  lie  ivjoiiicd  his 
re£rini(Mit  at  AVasliingtoii,  I).  C.,  in  February,  18(55,  and  accompanied 
it  in  the  Wilniiuirton  expedition.  lie  was  mustered  out  with  his 
reo-iment,  Docembor  2,  181)"),  at  Charlotte,  X.  C.  After  his  return 
from  tlie  army,  lie  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  in  Biirtholomew 
County,  Ind.  In  18()7  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  in 
Auirnst,  18()8,  came  to  Olney,  111.,  and  in  October,  1872,  went  back 
to  Tipton  County, Ind.,  but  in  December,  1871),  he  returned  to  Olney, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  first  married  February  19, 
1808,  toLouvina  A.  liess,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Three  children  blessed 
their  union,  and  all  are  yet  livino:.  Mrs.  Fishel  died  September  28, 
1876.  Mr.  Fishel  was  next  married, October  81,  l.s7y,  toMrs.  Elizabeth 
J.  (Midkift')  Chirk,  who  died  ]\Iay  18,  1883.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  E[)iseopal  Clnirch.  Mr.  Fishel  was  next  married  in 
November,  1883,  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Lemkey)  Wachtcl,  a  native  of 
Illinois.  She  is  a  member  of  the  P.  M.  Church.  Mr.  Fishel  is  a 
membi'r  of  Olney  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R. 

ROBERT  FLEMING,  of  Combs  &  Fleming,  saw,  corn  and 
feed  mills,  was  born  November  5,  1830,  in  Ireland,  and  was  a  son 
of  James  Fleming,  a  teacher  in  Ireland  for  twenty-seven  years  in 
one  school.  In  1849  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and 
came  to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  and  there  followed  farming.  In 
1854  Robert  came  with  his  parents  to  Olney,  and  has  since  followed 
the  business  of  milling.  The  firm  of  which  he  is  a  partner  was  es- 
tablished on  August  1,  1883.  The  capacity  of  this  mill  is  about 
200  bushels  of  corn  and  feed,  and  4,000  feet  of  lumber,  ])er  day. 
Mr.  Fleming  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  school  directors 
for  four  years  in  Olney,  and  of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners 
for  one  year.  He  was  married  in  the  year  1851,  to  Christina  Caley, 
a  nativ^e  of  Highland  County,  Ohio.  She  died  in  187G,  leaving  five 
sons  and  two  daughters.  She  was  in  her  forty-seventh  year.  In 
1879  Mr.  Fleming  married  Mary  E.  Baldwin,  of  Indiana,  and  she 
is  the  mother  of  three  children. 

DAVID  FLEMING,  farmer,  was  born  Marcdi  17,  1837,  in 
county  Tyrone,  Ireland  ;  he  is  the  son  of  James  Fleming,  who  fol- 
lowed the  profession  of  teaching,  in  his  native  land,  having  taught 
in  one  school  twenty-seven  years.  In  1849  the  family  emigrated  to 
Highland  County,  Ohio,  and  there  engaofcd  in  farming  ;  in  1854 
they  came  to  Richland  County,  111.  David  remained  in  Ohio  till 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted,  in  18()1,  in  Company 
I,  Thirty-Ninth  Ohio  Infantry,  served  four  years  and  fifteen  days, 
and  participated  in  the  sieges  of  New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10, 
and  the  battles  of  luka  and  (yorinth,  and  was  with  Sherman  in 
most  of  his  engagements  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  to  Ohio,  remaining  there  but  a  short  time  ;  he 
then  came  to  Olney,  and  has  lived  here  and  in  the  vicinity  since. 
He  owns  a  farm  of  thirty  acres  Avherc  he  resides,  and  is  devoted  to 
farming  pursuits.  Ho  has  been  two  years  a  member  of  the  City 
Council.     He  was  married  in  1874  to  S.  L.  Brown,  of  Saint  Johns, 


744 


BIOaRAPHICAL    SKjyrCHES — KICHLAM)    COUNTY  : 


N.  B.     Olio  dausfhter  irliKl'ltMis  their  home.     ^Nlr.  Flemiuir  is  Ji   mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R. 

CHARLES  B.FLETCHER  was  born  hi  Hard  in  County,  Ky., 
January  3,  183s,  and  the  foHowing  year  his  parents  came  to  Law- 
rence (now  Richland)  County,  and  located  three  miles  east  of 
Olney  ;  there  his  father  entered  forty  acres  of  land,  lived  there  six- 
years,  then  moved  to  this  township  and  entered  forty  acres  prairie, 
also  forty  acres m  the  timber.  His  father  lived  here  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1807,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Charles  B. 
now  owns  this  land,  and  having-  added  to  it,  owns  in  all  120  acres. 
He  married,  in  18()1,  Aurelia  F.  Blain,  of  Hancock  County,  Ky. 
She  died  INIarch  12,  1882,  in  her  forty-fourth  year,  the  mother  of 
seven  children— William  H.,  James  A.,  Daniel  B.,  John  W..  Jacob 
B.,  George  F.  and  Mary  E.  The  past  seventeen  years  Mr.  Fletcher 
has  been  a  school  director.     He  is  now  Hiohwav  Commissioner. 

THEO.  A.  &  DAN.  AV.  FRITCHEY,  proprietors  of  the  Olney 
Bepuhlican,  were  the  fifth  and  youngest  res])ectively  in  a  family  of 
eight  children  born  to  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (INIcQuceny) 
Fritchey,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  and  Irish  de- 
scent. Benjamin  Fritchey  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native 
State,  He,  early  in  life,  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Harris- 
burg,  Penn.,  Avhere  he  remained  for  several  years  ;  he  then  removed 
to  Peoria,  111.,  where  he  remained  aliout  two  years,  when  he  returned 
to  Pennsylvania.  He  next  removed  to  Baltimore,  Montgomery  Co., 
Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  for 
several  years,  afterwards  ^removing  to  Darke  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  remained  some  ten  years.  He  returned  to  Montgomery  County, 
and  in  1870  came  to  Olney,  where  he  Avas  engaged  in  merchandising 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  April,  1876.  Mr.  Fritchey  and 
wife  both  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mrs. 
Fritchey  is  still  living  at  Olney,  and  her  sons,  the  subjects  of  this 
sketch,  make  their  home  with"^  her.  Theo.  A.  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  April  24,  l-s,"),").  He  received  only  an  ordi- 
nary common  school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twent}^  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  cousin,  G.  W.  Fritchey,  in  the  grocery  business 
at  Olney.  After  about  eighteen  months  he  retired  from  the  busi- 
ness, and  entered  the  otlicc  of  Wilson  c^  Hutchinson,  as  a  hi w  stu- 
dent, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  188(>.  In  June, 
1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Judge  James  C.  Allen,  the  firm 
being  known  as  Allen  &  Fritchey-  It  is  one  of  the  leading  firms  of 
the  county.  ^Ir.  Fritchey  was*  City  Attorney  for  one  and  V\i\ 
Clerk  for  two  terms.  He  is  a  mendier  of  K.  of  P..  and  belongs  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  ]May,  1881,  he  ])urchased  The 
Richland  County  RepnbUran,  and  since  changed  it  to  the  Olney  Uc- 
piihUran.  Dan.  W.  was  born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  Septendxr  !(>, 
J8IJ2,  and  received  a  good  c(nnmon  school  and  academic  education. 
At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  commenced  to  learn  the  printers'  trade, 
with  E.  B.  Barnard,  of  the  Olney  limes,  with  Avhom  he  remaineil  for 
fouryeai-s.     He  was  dei)nly  i)ostmaster  at  Olney  for  about  eighteen 


OLNEY    CITi'    AND    TOWXSlIir.  745 

months.  Since  May,  1881,  he  has  had  the  editorial  charge  of  the 
Ohiey  Repuhlican,  and  is  the  acereditcnl  correspondent  of  the  Saint 
Louis   GJohe-Deiiiocrat  and  Cliicaofo  Tribune  for  Richhind  County. 

JACOB  FRITSCHLE  was  born  October  25,  1814,  in  Baden, 
Gennanv-  At  the  ah-q  of  fourteen  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Stark  County,  Ohio  ;  there  they  settled  on  a  ftirm.  In  1839  he  came 
to  Lawrence  (now  Richland)  County,  where  he  entered  ninety-five 
acres,  which  he  improved  as  his  means  would  allow,  and  added  from 
time  to  time,  until  he  had  in  all  over  300  acres,  ninety  acres  of  which 
he  has  sold  to  his  son.  He  has  a  very  comfortable  brick  house, 
which  he  built  in  18G2,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.  His  barn  was  built 
in  1881,  and  cost  $550.  Other  buildiurj-s  cost  about  $300.  He  was 
uuirried,  in  1838,  to  Lydia  Stefic,  of  York  County,  Penn.  She  died 
in  1855,  aged  thirty-live  j^ears,  the  mother  of  nine  children — John, 
Sarah,  Jeremiah,  Isaac,  Sophia,  Henry,  David,  Louise  and  Margaret. 
His  second  marriage,  in  August,  185(j,  was  to  Elizabeth  Smith,  of 
Carroll  County,  Ohio.  They  have  had  six  children,  five  living — Su- 
sanna, Mary,  George,  ]Martin  and  William.  They  lost  Davis,  Octo- 
ber 6, 1872,  in  his  eleventh  year.  Susanna  is  uow  the  wife  of  the 
Rev.  A.  E.  Best,  of  New  Bethlehem,  Clarion  Co.,  Penn.,  where  he 
is  actively  engaged  in  the  ministry. 

MRS.  HARRIET  GADAU,  formerly  Harriet  Arnold,  was 
born  in  Olney  Township,  Jvme  7,  1841.  Her  parents  were  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  the  county.  She  married  Peter  Sherer,  De- 
cember 10,  1857  ;  he  was  born  in  Germany,  April  21),  1830.  When 
six  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents  to  America  ;  they  re- 
mained a  short  time  in  Ohio,  then  came  to  this  locality,  where  he 
lived  till  his  death.  He  became  the  father  of  ten  children,  eight 
living — George,  Elizabeth,  Anna,  John,  Peter,  Margaret,  IVIinnie 
E.  and  Harriet.  Henry  Gadau  married  Mrs.  Sherer,  August  15, 
1882.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  has  resided  in  Edwards 
County  the  ])ast  fifteen  years,  where  he  owns  a  farm. 

FRANK  P.  GILLESPIE,  County  Treasurer,  was  born  in 
Washington  County,  Penn.,  October  13,  1838,  and  was  the  seventh 
of  ten  children  born  to  William  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Beall)  Gilles- 
pie, natives  of  Washington  County,  and  of  Irish  and  English  de- 
scent respectively.  William  was  educated  and  married  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  followed  farming  until  the  spring  of  1853,  when  he 
removed  to  Illinois,  settling  first  near  Springfield,  and  residing  there 
for  some  three  years.  In  185(j  he  came  to  Jasper  County,  and  bought 
a  farm  near  Siint  Marie,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  on  May 
27,  18(52.  His  wife  died  one  week  later,  on  June  5,  18(52.  They 
were  both  devout  members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  During  the 
administration  of  Taylor  and  Fillmore,  Mr.  Gillesjue  was  a  clerk  in 
the  Census  Department  at  Washington.  Frank  P.  received  a  good 
education,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  began  clerking  in  a  store  at  Olney, 
remaining  there  some  fifteen  years.  In  November,  1877,  he 
was  elected  Treasurer  of  Richland  County,  and  was  re-elected  in  the 

45 


746  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCUES — RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

year  1879,  and  again  in  1882,  the  latter  time  for  fouryejirs.  Mr. 
Gillespie  was  married  September  12,  1864,  to  Mary  A.  Kelly,  of 
York,  Penn.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them,  of  whom  two, 
John  B.  and  Ellen  L.,  are  livino-.  He  and  wife  are  ])oth  members  of 
the  Catholic  Church.  ^Nlr.  Gillespie  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
one  of  the  leadino-  citizens  of  Richland  County. 

HENRY  GODEKE   was    born   in  the  Province  of  Hanover, 
Germany,  April  9,  1849,  and  is  the  youn,o-est  of  five  children  Iwrn  to 
Frederick  C.  and  Johanna  F.  (Walbrecht)  Godeke,  both  natives  of 
Hanover.     Frederick  C  Godeke   in  early  life  learned  the  weavers' 
trade,   following    it    in    connection  with   farming    several    years. 
He  was  for  a  time  a  soldier  in  the  Hanoverian  Army.     In  18.58  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  AYarrick  County,  Ind., 
whei-e  he   bought  a  farm,  and  where    he  resided  until  his  death, 
July  10,  1860.     Henry  Godeke,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a 
fair  common  school  education  in   his   native  land,  and  also  in  the 
United  States.     At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  learn  the  gun- 
smiths' and  tinners'  trades,   at   Georgetown,  Ohio,   serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  four  and  a  half  years,  after  which  he  followed  the 
o-unsmitlis'  trade  as  a  journeyman.    In  1873  he  opened  a  gunsmiths' 
shop  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  where   he   remained  one  year._    In  1874  he 
came  to  Olney,  111.,  where  he  opened  a  shop  and  has  since  been  do- 
ing a  o-ood  iDusiness.     He  was  married,  November  28,  1876,  to  Liz- 
zie Von  Alman,  a  native  of  Indiana.     Two  children  have  blessed 
their  union.     Mr.  Godeke  is  a  memljer  of  no  church.     Mrs.  Godeke 
is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  Church.  Mr.  Godeke  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the   Olney  Lodge,  No.  76,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  of  the  Select  Or- 
der of  Uniformed  Kniffhts,  A.  O.  U.W.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
WILLIAM  GODEJOHANN,  cigar  manutacturer,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  October  21, 1849,  of  parents  Casper  and  Franziska  C.  (Moeh- 
lenbrock)  Godejohann,  Prussians,  William  being  their   only  child. 
Casper  was  brought  up  and  married  in  his  native  land,  and  followed 
agricultural   pursuits.     In    1857,  he  lirought  his  family  across  the 
ocean  to  the  United  States,  settling  first  in  Macon  County,  111.     He 
remained  there  until  1865,  Avlien  he  went  to  Belleville.     In  1864,  his 
wife  died,  in  the  membership  of  the  Lutheran  Church.     In  1865,  Mr. 
Godejohann  remarried,  and  moved  to  Fayetteville,  and  in  1873,  came 
here,  then  returned  to   Fayetteville,  living   there  until  his    death, 
March   26,   1882,  belonging  to   the   Lutheran   Church.  ^  William's 
schooling  was  very  limited.     He  worked  on  a  farm  until  his  sixteenth 
year,  wlicn  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  trade  of  cigar-making  at  Belle- 
ville, serving  there  for  three  years,  when  he  worked  for  the  firm  from 
which  he  had  received  his  instruction  for  about  seven  and  a  half  years, 
became  a  partner,  and  in  1873,exchanged  stock  Avith  P.  J.  Kaerchcr, 
of  Olney,  and  to-day  has  a  successful  trade.     He  employs  from  seven 
to  twelve  men,  and  is  turning  out  about  350,000  cigars  annually. 
His  is  the  most  extensive  factory  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  his 
trade  extends  through  southwestern  Indiana.     In   1871,  he  married 
Louise  Lubben,  of  Saint  Louis,  Mo.     They  have  had  four  children, 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  747 

of  whom  three  are  liviiii*-.  Mr.  Godejohanii  beloiifjs  to  Oliiey  Lodge 
No.  7(5,  Oliicy  Legion,  No.  18,  Unifonn  Order  of  Select  Knights,  A. 
O.  U.  W.,  and  is  a  Kopnhlican. 

JOIIX  GRUBER,  l)()ots  and  shoes,  was  born  in  Canton  Berne, 
Switzorhind,  Febrnary  12,  1847,  and  is  the  oldest  of  fonr  children  born 
to  John  and  Susan  (Ameter)  Grnber,  both  natives  of  Switzerland. 
John  Grnber,  Sr.,  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  land, 
where  he  "was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  In 
18.50,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Olney  Town- 
ship, Richland  Co.,  III.,  where  he  w^as  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  summer  of  18.53.  John 
Grnber,  Jr.,  the  subject,  received  a  limited  common  school  educa- 
tion in  youth,  but  has  by  his  owm  endeavors,  since  he  became  a  man, 
acquired  a  fair  practical  business  education.  After  his  father's  death 
he  made  his  home  wnth  his  uncle  and  stepfather,  until  he  Avas  seven- 
teen years  old,  Avhen  he  went  to  learn  the  shoemakers'  trade,  serv- 
ing  an  apprenticeship  of  two  and  a  half  years.  He  followed  the 
trade  until  18(J9,  when  he  was  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  leather 
store  at  Olney,  for  about  three  years.  In  1872,  he  removed  to  Mount 
Carmel,  111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  draying  business  for  four- 
teen months.  He  then  returned  to  Olney,  where  he  was  again 
employed  in  the  same  leather  store  until  1879.  He  then  accepted 
a  position  as  traveling  salesman  for  a  harness  and  collar  manufactur- 
ing house  in  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  continued  in  that  business  for  four- 
teen months.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  he  opened  a  boot  and  shoe  store 
at  Olney,  and  has  since  done  a  good  business,  in  that  line.  In 
August,  187(j,  he  was  a])pointed  school  treasurer  of  Olney  Towai- 
ship,  which  office  he  still  holds,  and  in  the  spring  of  1883,  was 
elected  Clerk  of  the  same  towniship.  He  was  married,  October  23, 
1870,  to  Frances  F.  Dorney,  a  native  of  Wabash  County,  111.  Six 
children  were  born  to  them,  only  three  of  Avhom  are  living.  Mr. 
Gruber  is  a  member  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  also, 
Richland  Lodge,  No.  180,  and  Olney  Encampment,  No.  (U,  I.  O.  O. 
F.  Of  the  last  named  body,  he  is  at  present  treasurer.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the  city. 

JOHN  VOX  GUNTEX,  Jr.,  County  Clerk,  was  born  in  Olney, 
Deceml)er  27,  1853,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  children  born  to 
John  and  Catherine  (Ilauck)  Von  Gunten,  natives  respectively  of 
Berne,  Switzerland,  and  of  Germany.  John,  Sr.,  Avas  a  baker  and  fol- 
lowed his  trade  for  a  time  in  his  native  land.  When  a  young  man, 
in  1849,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  working  at  his  trade  for  a  few  months.  In  the  same  year  he 
came  to  Olne}^  anil  again  followed  his  trade  for  three  years,  when 
he  was  married.  In  1852,  he  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business 
here,  and  continued  in  it  until  1879,  at  which  time  he  retired  from 
active  business.  Mr.  Von  Gunten,  Sr.,  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  German  Reformed  Church.  He  was  one  of  the  Aldermen  for  a 
time,  and  assisted  in  securing  brick  sidewalks  for  the  city  of  Olney. 
He  was  also  a  director  for  the  G-  M.  Railway,  Avhich  was  consolidated 


748  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY   : 

with  another  road  during  his  term  of  service,  and  became  the  P., 
D.  &  E.  Kailway.  John,  Jr.,Avas  well  educated  at  the  Olney  com- 
mon schools,  from  his  fifteenth  year  imtil  he  went  into  his  father's 
store,  and  took  charge  of  his  business  for  al)out  one  year.  In  1877, 
he  ran  for  County  Clerk  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  was  elected  to 
that  office  in  1882,  and  still  holds  it.  He  belongs  to  the  Olney 
Lodce,  No.  140,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Avhich  he  is  ^Y.  M.,  and  also  to 
Richland  Chapter,  No.  38,  R.  A.  M.,  Olney  Council,  No.  55,  R.  &  S. 
M.,  and  Gorin  Commandery,  No.  14,  K.  T.  In  politics  Mr.  Von 
Gunten  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  this  county's  most  enterprising 
and  prominent  men. 

HARVEY  M.  HALL  was  born  in  Amherst,  Hancock  County, 
Maine,  February  9,  1838,  and  is  the  oldest  of  five  children  born  to 
Henry  and  Lucy  E.  (Archer)  Hall,  both  natives  of  Hancock  County, 
Maine,  and  of  Scotch  and  English  descent,  respectively.  In  early  life 
Heniy  Hall  graduated  at  the  Polytechnic  College,  of  Bangor,  Maine, 
and  for  some  years  after  was  employed  as  a  civil  engineer  in  his 
native  State.  In  about  1854,  he  purchased  1(50  acres  of  wild  land  in 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.  Two  years  later  he  moved  on  the  place 
with  his  family,  erected  a  small  frame  house,  and  subsequently  im- 
proved a  farm  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  August,  1859.  Harvey  M.  Hall,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received 
a  good  scientific  and  mathematical  education  at  the  Polytechnic  Col- 
leo-e,  of  Bangor,  Maine,  in  youth.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  he  left 
the  college  and  went  into  the  ship  yard  at  Ellsworth,  Maine,  to  w^ork 
,  lor  his  uncle,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  ship-building.  In  the 
latter  part  of  1857,  he  came  West,  remaining  about  six  months  with 
his  parents  in  southern  Indiana.  He  then  went  to  Hannibal,  Mo., 
where  he  was  employed  as  engineer  in  the  construction  of  the  Han- 
nibal &  Saint  Joseph  Railway,  and  afterward  in  the  bridge  depart- 
ment of  the  same  road,  until  in  October,  18G3,  when  he  returned  to 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.  In  August,  18G  4,  he  recruited  Company 
I,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Indiana  Infantry,  in  three  days,  of 
Avhich  Company  he  was  commissioned  Captain.  He  remained  with 
his  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Immediately  after  his  return 
from  the  army  he  was  employed  as  foreman  in  the  brido-e  depart- 
ment of  the  O.  &  M.  Railway,  and  located  at  Osgood,  Ind.  Iii  October, 
1872,  he  was  ))romoted  to  assistant  sui)erintendent  of  bridges  and 
building  for  the  West  and  Springfield  Divisions  of  said  railway. 
October  1,  1881,  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  bridges,  build- 
ing and  water  supplies,  for  the  entire  line  of  the  O.  &  M.  Riilway, 
which  position  he  still  holds.  As  a  civil  engineer,  architect  and 
draughtsman,  Mr.  Hall  has  no  sui)erior  in  the  Southwest.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1858,  to  Olive  Montmye,  of  Switzerland  County,  Ind.  Three 
children,  all  living,  have  blessed  their  union.  Mrs.  Hall  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Fraternity,  being  a  member  of  all  the  Masonic  Lodges  of 
Olney,  viz.:  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M.,  R.  &  S.  M.  and  K.  T.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  Peoria  Consistory  S.  P.  R.  S.     He   was  W.  M.  of 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  749 

Oso^ood  Lo(l<>:c,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  Indiana  for  four  years,  and  is  now 
servins:  his  second  term  as  Commander  of  Gorin  Conmiandery  No. 
14,  K.  T. 

ALOXZO  E.  HARRELL,  foreman  and  draughtsman  in  ().  & 
M.  Railway  shops  at  Olnoy,  III.,  was  born  in  New  Marion,  Ripley  Co., 
Ind.,  December  20,  1853,  and  is  one  of  seven  children  born  to  Will- 
iam D.  and  Nancy  A.  (Hill)  Harrell,  natives  of  Indiana,  and  of 
English  lineage.  William  D.  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native 
State.  He  learned  the  trade  of  wagon  maker,  and  later  on,  that  of 
carpenter, which  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years.  For  the  last 
three  years  of  his  life  he  was  employed  as  a  bridge  carpenter  on  the 
O.  &  M.  Railway.  Ho  died  on  June  4, 1<S77,  in  his  forty-seventh  year, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episc()i)al  Church,  and  of  the 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  Mrs.  Harrell  was  a  Bap- 
tist. Alonzo  E.  Harrell  was  well  educated  in  a  classic  and  sci entitle 
way.  August  (i,  1S72,  he  began  on  the  bridge  construction  form  of 
the  O.  &  M.  Rail  way,and  has  steadily  advanced.  He  is  now  chief  assist- 
ant in  the  otticc  of  the  superintendent  of  bridges,  buildings  and 
water  supplies  on  said  railroad.  In  November,  1(S81,  Mr.  Harrell 
came  to  Olney,  and  has  since  resided  here.  On  October  1,  187(5,  he 
married  Helen  H.  Franck,  a  native  of  New  Albany,  Ind.,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  P.  and  Virginia  (Crook)  Franck,  early  settlers  of 
New  Albany.  Mr.  Harrell  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  is  also  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican.    He  is  one  of  our  most  prominent  and  enterprising  citizens. 

CHRISTIAN  HASLER  was  i)orn  in  Switzerland,  'August  20, 
184"),  and  is  the  youngest  of  four  living  children  born  to  Peter  and 
Margaret  (Von  Allman)  Hasler,  both  natives  of  Switzerland.  Peter 
Hasler  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  land,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
18.53.  Christian  Hasler,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  Switzerland  and  the  United  Stjites.  In  1857 
his  nu^ther  and  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  settled 
in  Olney,  111.  Here  he  was  employed  on  a  farm  in  the  summer,  and 
attended  school  during  the  winter  season,  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  old.  He  then  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the 
harness-makers'  trade.  Soon  after  com])leting  his  trade,  he  opened 
a  shop  at  Olney,  where  he  has  since  been  doing  a  successful  business. 
Pie  is  the  most  extensive  manufacturer  of  harnesses  and  saddles  in 
the  county.  In  February,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-Fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  reg- 
iment until  the  close  of  the  war,  ])eing  mustered  out  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.,  in  September,  18(55.  He  was  married  in  October,  18(38, 
to  Susan  Bohran,  a  native  of  Switzerland.  Seven  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  only  five  of  whom  are  living.  H(>  and  his  wife 
are  both  members  of  the  Gernum  Reformed  Church.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Olney  Lodge  No.  140,  A.  F.  &  A,  M.;  Richland  Chapter 
No.  38.  R.  A.  M.,  and  Richland  Lodge,  No.  180,  L  O.  O.  F.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat. 


750  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKP:TCIIES — lilCIILANU    COUNTY  : 

ISAIAH  HEAP  (deceased)  was  born  August  2,  1825,  in  Ohio, 
and  in  1839  he  came  to  this  locality,  and  Avorked  for  his  brother-in- 
law  till  the  ago  of  twenty-one  when  he  married  Rachel  G.  Powell. 
She  was  born  in  (juernsey  County,  Ohio,  March  18,  1825.  He  died 
April  30,  1882,  the  father  of  the  following  chihlren  : — Benjamin  F., 
Samuel  D.,  Maro-aret  Ann  (now  Mrs.  Crawley),  Rebecca  J.  (now 
Mrs.  McClure),  Isaiah,  Clara  Belle,  and  Emma  May.  Mary  Alice 
died  in  1882,  aged  twenty  years.  Mr.  Heap,  with  his  son  Benjamin 
F.,  served  in  the  late  war. 

JOSEPH  C  HERROX  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1857,  and  is  the  oldest  of  four  children  and  the  only  son  of 
John  and  Salome  F.  (Jenkins)  Herron,  the  former  a  native  of 
Maryland,  and  the  latter  of  Indiana,  and  both  of  English  descent. 
The  ancestors  of  the  Jenkins'  in  America  were  among  the  Puritans 
who  landed  at  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  in  1620.  When  but  a  lad, 
in  about  1840,  John  Herron  removed  with  his  parents  to  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  where  his  early  education  was  received.  Afterward 
the  family  removed  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  where  John  was  mar- 
ried. In  early  life  he  learned  the  blacksmiths'  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  about  ten  3'ears.  He  thou  learned  dentistry  at  Mount  Car- 
mel,  Ind.,  and  has  since  practiced  that  profession  in  that  town.  In 
September,  1883,  he  removed  to  Olney,  111.  Joseph  C  Herron,  the 
subject,  received  a  very  fair  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  at 
the' National  Normal,  of  Lebanon,  Ohio.  At  a  very  early  age  he 
was  employed  in  his  father's  dental  office,  but  did  not  study  the  pro- 
fession regularly  until  some  yetirs  later.  He  began  his  career  as  a 
teacher,  continuing  that  profession  for  about  one  year.  January  1, 
1877,  he  commenced  the  study  of  dentistry  under  his  father's 
instructions,  with  whom  he  practiced  for  a  time.  On  ^Nlarch  3, 
1881,  he  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Dental  College,  of  Oincinnati,  and 
in  the  same  month  came  to  Olney,  111.,  where  he  opened  a  dental 
office,  and  has  since  been  doing  a  thrivino-  business.     When  a  vounor 

•  AT 

man  he  held  for  a  time  the  position  ot  assistant  postmaster,  at  .Mount 
Carmel,  Ind.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  also 
of  all  the  Masonic  bodies  in  Olney,  viz.:  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M., 
R.  &S.'M.,  &K.  T. 

CHARLES  HINMAN,  insurance  agent,  Avas  born  in  Bartholo- 
mew County,  Ind.,  April  3,  1840,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  Titus  M.  and  Emily  (Jeter)  Hinman,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  South  Carolina,  respectively,  and  of  English  descent. 
Titus  M.  was  tiiken  by  his  parents  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  when 
about  ten  years  old.  He  was  well  educated,  going  through  college, 
and  afterwards  married  here.  When  sixteen  years  old  he  was 
engaged  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  distinguished  himself  under  Gen. 
Harrison.  He  followed  the  distilling  l)usiiiess  in  early  life,  but 
becoming  convinced  of  the  evil  of  such  a  tratHc,  sold  his  distillery 
for  almost  nothing,  and  in  1832,  went  to  fanning  in  Bartholomew 
County,  where  he  lived  till  1851,  then  to  this  county,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  same  business  until  his  death  in   October,   18(J5.      H& 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  751 

tilled  vavious  offices  during  his  lifetime,  and  was  an  Abolitionist. 
He  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  E[)iscopal  Chm'ch,  and 
he  belonged  to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  :M.,  R.  A.  M.,  R.  &  S.  M.,  and  K.  T. 
Charles  A.'s  school  advantages  Avere  very  limited,  and  were  received 
wholly  in  the  log  schoolhouses.  Since  he  attained  manhood  he  has 
acquired  a  good  business  education.  On  April  1(),  18151,  Mr.  Hin- 
man  enlisted  in  a  company  recruited  for  the  Eighth  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  but  the  quota  being  full,  he  Avas  sent  home.  July  IG, 
1.S61,  he  again  enlisted,  this  tinie  in  Com[)any  H,  Thirty-Eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  May  18,  lb(i3,  when  he 
was  discharged  at  Jefferson,  Mo.,  on  account  of  a  severe  wound  in 
the  right  hmg,  received  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  After  his 
return  from  the  w\ar  he  attempted  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits, 
but  was  compelled  to  abandon  it  and  engage  in  traveling.  For  the 
past  three  years  he  has  been  special  agent  of  the  Rockford  Fire  In- 
surance Company.  In  18(35  ]Mr.  Hinman  was  married  to  Annie  Hood, 
a  native  of  Olney,  Avho  has  borne  him  seven  children,  of  whom  four, 
three  sons  and  a  daughter,  are  left  Avith  them.  The  parents  are 
devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Hin- 
man has  held  various  positions  in  that  Iwdy  for  eighteen  years.  He 
belongs  to  the  Subordinate  Lodge  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  to  the  K.  of 
P.,  and  in  political  fields  carries  the  Republican  flaof. 

HORNER  BROTHERS  are  the  proprietors  of  the  Horner  Bros.' 
ElcA^ator.  This  structure  Avas  erected  in  about  l86i»;  it  has  a  capacity 
of  about  70,000  bushels,  and  is  one  of  the  finest,  as  Avell  as  the  most 
conveniently  arranged  elevators  in  southern  Illinois.  It  cost  about 
SI 0,000.  In  1882  the  Olney  National  Bank  Avas  organized;  John  N. 
Horner  assisted  in  its  organization,  and  Avas  then  chosen  Vice-Presi- 
dent, and  afterAvards  re-elected  for  a  second  term. 

KINNETH    D.    HORRALL,   hardAvare,  Avas  born  in  Daviess 
County,  Ind.,  June  9,  1838,  and  is  the  onlychiKl  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Johnson)  Horrall,  natiA^es  of  Vermont  and  Wabash  County,  and  of 
English   and   Scotcdi  descent,  respectively.      John  came  to  Daviess 
County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day,  bought  a  farm  and  resided   upon  it 
until  his  death  in  1840.     He  Avas  a'veteran  of  the  Avar  of  181z,  and 
he  and  Avife  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Kinneth 
D.  received  an  ordinary  education  in  log  schoolhouses,  and  began  to 
learn  the  tinner's  trade  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  but  in  about  a  year 
returned  to  fiirm  Avork.     Ho  again  adopted  his  trade,  and  served  in 
all  an  apprenticeship  of  fiv^e  years.     In  1852  he  came  to  Olney,  and 
in  185G,  opened  a  stove  and  tiuAvare  store,  which  he  has  carried  on 
to  the  present  time.     In  18G1  Mr.  Horrall  added  a  stock  of  hard- 
Avare,  and  has  now  the  largest  stock  in  southern  Illinois,  consisting 
of  shelf  and  heavy  ImrdAvare,  stoves  and  tinware.     In  May,  ISGO, 
Mr.  Horrall  married  Sarah  J.  B:iird,  of  this  town.      Seven  children 
bless  this  union.     The  parents  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  is  an  earlv  and  i)rominentsettler,  and  a  o-ood  business  man. 

BENJAMIN  F."  HUNTER,  farmer,  was  born'in  Clinton  County, 
Ohio,  March  11,  182:1,  and  Avas  the   eldest  of  ten  children    born   to 


752  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

James  and  Harriet  N.  (Neel)  Hunter,  the  former  a  native  of  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Kent  County,  Md.,   and   of  Irish 
and  English  descent,  respectively.     James  was  educated,  reared  and 
followed  farmino:  in  his  native  county,  continuing  in  this  pursuit 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  on  September  27,  184B,  at   the  age  of 
forty-one  years.      On  February  18,   1874,  iMrs.  Harriet  N.  Hunter 
departed  this  life  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years,  having  been  since 
girlhood  a  communicant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Ben- 
jamin F.  Hunter  received  a  limited  education  in  log  school  houses, 
and  was  employed  in  fiirm  work  until  he  attained  his  twenty-third 
year.     Afterward,  he  farmed  on  shares  for  a  time,  and  then  bought  a 
partially   improved   farm    of    forty  acres,  adding   to  this  until    he 
owned  a  well-improved  farm  of  11*0  acres.      From   1857  to  1859  he 
was  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  at  Cuba,   Clinton   Co., 
Ohio.     In  August,  18G2,  Mr.  Hunter  enrolled  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany C,  Seventy-Ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with 
the  regiment  in  all  its  engagements  until  the  close  of  the  war.     He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta,  and  in  the  memorable  march  of  Sherman  to  the  sea.    After 
the  battle  at  Poach  Tree  Creek, he  was  promoted  to  Col()r-Sergeant,and 
while  carrying  the  colors  was  wounded,  as  the  surgeon  said,  mortally. 
He  was  placed  in  an  army  wagon  and  carried  over  rough  roads  for 
seven  or  eight  days  before  he  received  any  attention.     On  the  jour- 
ney he  lost  almost  all  his    clothes,  and  what  he  wore  was  stiff  with 
blood.     On  March  24,   he   was  taken  to  a  temporary  hospital  at 
Gold  borough,  and  was  afterwards  transferred  to  Newberne,  N.  C. 
In  the  latter  part  of  iVpril,  he  was  taken  to  David's  Island  in  New 
York  Harl)or,  where  he  remained  until  his  discharge,  June  12,  18(55. 
On  his  return  home  he  farmed,  but  was  obliged  to  hire  all  the  labor 
done,  as  he  was  notable  to  perform  any  manual  labor  himself.     For 
one  year  Mr.  Hunter  lived  in  Blanchester,  and   then  removed  to 
Clarksville,  Clinton  Co.,  Ohio,  and  in  October,  1870,  traded  his  farm 
there  for  one  of  200  acres  in   Denver  Township,  in  this  county.     He 
resided  on  this  farm  until  1877,  when  he  rented  it  and  came  to  Olney, 
where  he  has  lived  since  that  time.      Mr.  Plunter  was   married  on 
July  31,  1851,  to  Elizabeth  J.  Moon,  a  native  of  Clinton   County. 
They  have  no  children.      Mr.  and  JSIrs.  Hunter  do  not  belong  to  the 
church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  is  an  enterprising  man  and 
a.  respect(>(l  citizen  of  this  county. 

TIMOTHY  W.  HUTCHINSON,  attorney,  Avas  born  in  Oxford 
County,  Maiiie,  November  21,  18o2,  and  is  the  younger  of  two  liv- 
ing soils  born  to  Galen  and  Olive  (Flint)  Hutchinson,  both  natives 
of  Maine  and  of  English  descent.  Galen  Hutchinson  was  educated 
and  married  in  his  native  Stiite,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural i)ursuits  for  many  years.  In  1841  he  removed  to  New  Hamp- 
shire, where  he  i)urchased  a  farm  and  saw  mill,  and  lived  until  181)1, 
when  h(^  returned  to  Oxford  County,  Maine,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  imtil  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1875.  Mr.  Hutchinson 
was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  Timothy 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  753 

W.  received  a  fair  common  school  education.  From  his  nineteenth 
until  his  twenty-ninth  year,  he  was  eni^aged  ingoing  to  school,  teach- 
ing and  working  at  the  c^irpenters'  trade.  He  graduated  from  Urbana 
University,  Ohio,  in  1859,  and  from  the  Cleveland  Law  School  in 
1860,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  in  the  same 
year.  In  18();3  he  went  to  Louisville,  111.,  where  he  practiced  his 
iprofession  for  four  years.  In  18157  he  came  to  Olney,  where  he  has 
since  practiced  with  excellent  success.  In  the  same  year  the  firm  of 
Wilson  &  Hutchinson  was  established,  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading 
law  firms  of  Richland  County.  Several  young  men,  who  have  since  risen 
to  eminence  in  the  i)rofcssion,reccived  their  first  instructions  in  this 
oflice.  In  about  18()9,  Mr,  Hutchinson  was  appointed  register  in 
bankruptcy,  which  position  he  is  still  holding.  He  was  married  in 
April,  181)  1,  to  Anna  L.  Canby,  a  native  of  Log;in  County,  Ohio. 
They  have  had  four  children,  tlirec  sons  and  one  daughter,  given  to 
them.  Mr.  Hutchinson  is  not  a  member  of  the  church,  1)ut  holds  to 
the  doctrine  of  Swedenborg.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repul^lican,  and  is 
one  of  the  prominent  attorneys  of  the  place.  He  is  also  extensively 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuit*,  attending  to  his  fine,  improved  farm 
of  some  400  acres. 

GEORGE  D.  JOHNSTONE,  confectioner  and  dealer  in  musical 
instruments,  was  born  in  Mendota,  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  July  22,  1858, 
and  is  the  eldest  of  the  three  children  born  to  Alexander  C.  and 
Jane  (Truman)  Johnstone,  natives,  respectively,  of  Aberdeen,  Scot- 
land, and  of  London,  England.  Alexander  received  an  excellent 
education  in  his  native  city,  and  began  studying  law  there.  AVhen 
a  young  man  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  interest  of  a 
liquor  house  of  Liverpool.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  went 
to  Chicago,  and  was  employed  as  book-keeper  for  a  while.  In  about 
1852  or  1853,  he  went  to  Mendota,  111.,  married  and  followed  the  gro- 
cery business.  In  1859  he  went  to  California  in  search  of  gold,  and 
in  1860,  returned  for  his  family.  He  sought  his  fortune  in  Califor- 
nia, but  was  unsuccessful.  He  resides  now  in  Gilpin  County,  Colo- 
rado, and  owns  some  valua))lo  gold  and  silver  mines.  Mr.  John- 
stone belongs  to  tlie  Presbyterian,  and  his  wife  to  the  Baptist  Church. 
George  D.  was  well  educated  in  the  schools  of  Colorado,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1878  returned  to  Mendota,  graduated  in  a  commercial 
course,  and  taught  in  the  institution  for  a  time.  He  afterwards 
taught  a  village  school  for  fift(;en  months.  In  1880  he  entered  the 
Union  College  of  Law,  at  Chicago,  and  graduated  in  1882,  when  he 
went  to  Saint  Paul,  Minn.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  in  that 
State.  He  practiced  in  the  office  of  Lorenzo  AUis,  one  of  the  old- 
est attorneys  there.  In  1883  he  abandoned  the  profession  on  account 
of  ill  health,  and  came  to  southern  Illinois.  Ilere  he  accepted  an 
agency  for  the  ^Vestern  Cottager  Organ  Conipau}',  with  head(|uarters 
at  Olnev.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  confectionery  business  with  W. 
A.  Startsman,  who  is  also  with  him  in  the  musical  merchandise  bus- 
iness. They  have  one  of  the  finest  confectionery  stores  in  southern 
Illinois,  and  carry  a  large  stock  of  musical  instruments  and  mer- 


■ 


754  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COUNTY  : 

chandise.     Daring  the  first  six  months  of  1883,  they  sold  over  one 
hundred  piunos  and  orcrans. 

THEO.  H.  JOHNSON,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Ohio, 
on  July  22,  1846,  and  is  the  third  of  the  five  children  bom  to  Beth 
S-  and  Sarah  (Horner)  Johnson,  natives  of  Clark  and  Hamilton 
counties,  Ohio,  and  of  English  and  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The 
father  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  nine  years,  and  when  a  mere 
boy  engaged  as  employe  in  the  dry  goods  business,  and  held  situa- 
tions at  various  points  until  1852  or  1853,  when  he  opened  on  his 
own  account  at  South  Charleston,  Ohio,  afterwards  conducting  stores 
at  Selina,  Ohio,  and  Champaign,  III,  and  retiring  in  1«75.  Theo. 
H.  Johnson  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  in  his  father's  stores  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  the  study  of  anatomy.  He 
entered  the  Chicago  Medical  College  in  the  fall  of  1867,  and  gradu- 
ated with  the  class  of  18(J9.  In  18(38  he  had  been  appointed  on  the 
house  staff  of  Mercy  Hospital,  and  served  until  August,  1869,  when 
he  came  to  Olney  where  he  has  since  been  in  successful  practice. 
In  July,  1881,  he*^  was  appointed  Surgeon  for  the  Illinois  Southern 
Penitentiary^  but  soon  resigned.  He  has  for  several  years  been  Sur- 
geon to  a  militia  regiment,  and  also  United  States  Pension  Examining 
Surgeon.  He  was  married  in  1864,  and  has  one  son — Paul,  a^ed  six 
years.  He  is  a  K.  of  P.,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  a  Republican. 

JOHN  B.  &  JOHN  F.  JOLLY  are  hardware  dealers.  John  B. 
was  born  at  Albion,  Edwards  Co.,  111.,  in  August,  1824,  being  the 
only  child  of  William  and  Emily  (Dunn)  Jolly,  natives  of  England. 
He  was  Avell  educated,  and  after  his  father's  death,  was  emi)loyed  as 
a  clerk  in  the  County  Clerk's  office  for  a  time.  He  then  removed  to 
Grayville,  111.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  was  engaged  for  many 
years  in  merchandising.  In  about  1849  Mr.  Jolly  married  Elizabeth 
Ferriman,  a  native  of  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  but  of  English  descent. 
On(!  son  blessed  this  union.  Al)Out  fifteen  years  ago  ]\Ir.  Jolly 
retired  from  active  business.  In  the  spring  of  1883  he  l)ought  a 
half  interest  in  a  hardware  store  at  Olney,  but  the  business  is  man- 
aged by  his  son  exclusively.  Mr.  Jolly,  Sr.,  was  for  several  years 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at  Grayville.  John  F.  Jolly 
was  born  in  Grayville,  White  Co.,  111.,  December  2,  1^51.  He 
received  an  excellent  education,  and  in  1870,  in  company  with  others 
engaged  in  the  drug  l)usiness  under  the  firm  name  of  Jolly,  Spring 
&  Ilollister.  He  remained  in  that  business  about  four  years.  In 
1877  he  came  to  Olney  and  bought  an  interest  in  a  hardware  store 
with  AV.  T.  Prunty,  <loing  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Prunty 
&  Jolly,  until  the  spring'of  1883,  when  Mr.  Prunty  retired,  and  our 
subject's  father  took  his  interest,  and  the  business  is  now  carried  on 
under  the  name  of  J.  B.  &  J.  F.  Jolly-  They  have  a  fine  stock  and 
are  doing  a  good  business.  Mr.  Jolly,  Jr.,  was  married,  October  20, 
1880,  to  ]Mary  E.  ^Morrison,  of  this  city.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  is 
an  enterprisinir  and  ])roniinent  business  man. 

GEORGE  KIPP  was  ])orn  on  Ai)ril  13,   1822,  in  York  County, 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  755 

Pemi.  His  }):uvuts  movod  to  .Vsliland  County,  Ohio,  when  lie  was 
til)ont  seven  years  ohl,  and  he  was  reared  there  on  their  I'lirni.  In 
October,  1852,  he  came  to  Ohiey  Township,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  owns  172^  acres  of  land — about  130  acres  of  which  are 
under  cultivation.  These  clearinirs  and  iini>rovenients  Mr.  Kip[)  has 
made  since  comiui*:  here.  He  has  held  the  otiice  of  Conmiissioner  of 
Iliijhways  six  years.  He  was  married,  in  1847,  to  Sarah  Wolf,  who 
was  born  November  (5,  1825,  in  Pennsylvania.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren— John  W.,  ]Mary  E.,  Martin  L.  and  William  E.  They  lost 
Benjamin  F.  in  infancy. 

A.  L.  KENT,  school  teacher,  was  born  September  21,  1845,  in 
Richland  County,  111.;  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  attended  the 
district  scdiools,  and  afterwards  attended  a  select  school  at  Oluey; 
later  he  attended  the  hiah  school  there.  Since  the  age  of  twenty 
he  has  been  euiraged  in  teachinn'  in  winters  and  farming  siunmers. 
He  enlisted,  in  1804,  in  the  one  hundred  days'  service,  and  served  about 
six  months.  He  was  nuirried,  in  1870,  to  Nancy  J.  Roberts,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  One  daughter  blesses  this  union.  His  father  was  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  locality,  coming  here  in  about  1844, 
locating  in  what  is  now  Madison  Township.  He  died  in  1879,  aged 
sixty-four  years. 

NICHOLAS  KLINE,  Jr.,Avas  born  in  Bavaria,April  23, 1831,  and 
is  the  youngest  of  seven  children  born  to  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth  A. 
(Lang)  Kline,  both  natives  of  Bavaria.  Nicholas  Kline,  Sr.,  was 
educated  and  married  in  his  native  land  where  he  was  engaged  in 
farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December  6,  1851.  Nicho- 
las Kline,  Jr.,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  education  m  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land.  At  the  aire  of  fourteen  he  went  to  learn 
the  tailors'  trade,  at  wdiich  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  two  years. 
In  1850,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  followed  his  trade 
as  a  journeyman  at  New  York,  Philad('li)hia,  Marietta  and  Cincin- 
nati, for  several  years.  Fiualh,  in  ]<S5(J,  he  returned  to  Marietta, 
Ohio,  where  he  opened  a  sho]i  and  pursued  his  trade  for  about  eight 
years,  when  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  it  on  account  of  failing 
health.  In  18()5,  he  came  to  Olney  Township,  Richland  Co.,  111., 
where  he  bought  a  farm  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1871,  when 
he  sold  out  and  came  to  Olney,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  At 
Olney  he  first  engjiged  in  the  clothing  trade,  which  he  continued 
for  several  years.  After  this  he  was  out  of  active  business  for  some 
four  years,  during  which  time  he  returned  to  Europe  on  a  visit.  In 
the  spring  of  1883  he  engaged  in  the  drug  trade,  at  Olney,  at  which 
he  is  doing  a  thriving  business.  He  was  married,  in  185G,  to  Mary 
E.  Best,  a  native  of  Germany.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  only  one  •  of  whom,  Elizabeth  A.  (now  ]\Irs.  George  W. 
Bower),  is  living.  Mr.  Kline  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  independent. 

ADEN  KXCJPH,  President  First  National  Bank  of  Olney,  was 
born  in  LaAvrciK  eville,  Lawrence  Co.,  111.,  December  is,  1X13.  and 
is  the  only  living  cliild  of  Thompson  and  Lucinda  (Brunson)  Knoph, 


756  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

the  former  a  native  of  Copenhagon,  Denmark,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio, 
but  of  English  descent.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  Thompson  Knoph 
became  a  sailor,  and  advanced  througli  all  grades  from  calnn  boy  to 
master  of  a  vessel,  and  circumnavigated  the  globe  several  times.  In 
1831  or  1832,  he  came  to  the  United  States,"first  settling  in  Arkan- 
sas, where  he  resided  at  the  time  of  the  trouble  in  that  Territory 
on  the  slavery  question.  From  Arkansas  he  removed  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  Avhere  he  was  married,  and  afterward  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits.  He  then  moved  to  Evansville,  Ind.,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  wholesale  grocery  trade.  In  1837  he  settled  at  Lawrence  ville, 
111.,  where  he  opened  a  general  store,  and  M'as  also  extensively 
engaged  in  pork  packing  at  that  time.  In  1848,  he  removed  to  Gray- 
ville,  m.,  where,  in  1852,  he  met  with  serious  financial  revei*ses,  and 
returned  in  the  same  year  to  Lawrenceville,  and  in  1859  went  to 
Vineennes,  Ind.,  and  in  1861  came  to  Olney,  111.,  where  he  lived 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1867.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Aden  Knoph  received 
only  a  very  limited  education,  his  schooling  having  ended  when  he 
attained  his  ninth  year,  at  which  time  he  went  into  his  father's 
store.  In  January,  1864,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Comi)any  G, 
Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  jSIounted  Infantr3%  This  regiment  was  first 
assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  but  afterwards  joined  a 
part  of  the  fiimous  Gen.  Wilder's  brigade.  Mv.  Knoph  served  in  all 
the  marches  and  engagements  in  which  the  regiment  took  part, 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  nuistered  out  of  the  service  with 
the  regiment  at  Xashville,  Tenn.,  in  June,  1865.  Soon  after  his 
enlistment  he  was  appointed  Sergeant  Major  of  the  regiment,  and 
in  December,  1864,  was  promotetl  to  Adjutant.  On  the  2d  day  of 
April,  1865,  he  was  severely  wounded,  at  Selma,  Ala.,  in  tlu>  left 
thigh.  On  returning  from  the  army  Mr.  Knoph  went  again  into  his 
father's  store,  and  remained  there  until  the  death  of  the^latter,  when 
he  found  himself  with  the  care  of  a  widowed  step-mother  and  sev- 
eral brothers  and  sisters  devolving  upon  him,  which  mission  he  has 
faithfully  executed.  In  November,  1868,  Mr.  Knoph  was  elected 
Circuit  Clerk  of  Richland  County,  111.,  and  was  re-elected  twice  to 
the  same  office  in  1872  and  1876.  In  1878,  he  was  the  Republican 
candidate  for  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  for  the  Southern  District 
of  Illinois.  In  January,  1880,  he  resigned  his  position  as  Circuit 
Clerk,  in  consequence  of  failing  health,  and  accepted  one  as  travel- 
ing salesman  for  a  wholesale  dry  goods  house  in  Cincinnati,  con- 
tinuing in  this  until  liis  health  was  regained.  In  January,  18.S2,  he 
was  elected  President  of  the  First  National  Hank  of  Olney,  which 
position  he  still  holds.  His  business  (jualificatious  are  of  the  Hrst 
order,  and  his  eftbrts  in  every  undertaking  have  been  invariably 
crowned  with  success.  He  was  married,  January  1,  \S{')[),  to  Miss 
Carliette  Morehouse,  of  Richland  County.  Three  children,  one  son 
and  two  daughters,  bless  this  union.  Mr.  Knoph  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  th(!  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Knoph  l)el()ngs  to  four 
Masonic  bodies  of  Olney,  viz.:    A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M.,  R.  &  S.  M. 


OLXEY    CITi'   AND   TOWNSIIII*.  757 

siml  K.  T.     He  is  also  ii  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  of  the  G. 
A.  R.     In  politics  he  is  a  Kepublioan. 

JACOB  KRAMER  was  born  in  Palmyra,  Penn.,  February  8, 
1811.  lie  moved  to  Indiana  in  about  184U,  and  en^iged  as  con- 
tractor, buildino:  the  macadamized  roads  from  New  Albany  to 
Bloominirton  until  the  financial  crisis  in  which  that  State  became 
bankrui)t  and  he  lost  all.  Soon  after,  he  came  to  Edwards  County. 
111.  Beiui^  a  carpenter  by  trade,  he  first  built  a  mill  for  K.  Clod- 
felt.  :\Iay  31,  1842,  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Lewis,  a  native  of 
Clark  County,  Ind.,  and  born  Septcml)er  15,  1S21.  She  died  Feb- 
ruary 4,  18.S2,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Chnrch.  After  remain- 
ing twenty-three  years  in  Edwards  County,  Mr.  Kramer,  in  18(J5, 
came  to  Olney  where  he  engaged  in  the  liardAvare  business,  in  which 
he  continued  until  compelled  to  abandon  it  on  account  of  heart  dis- 
ease, which  finally  resulted  in  his  death  which  occurred  July  10,  1882. 
While  in  Edwards  County  ^Mr.  K.  served  as  Judge  of  that  county, 
with  distinction.  He  was  also  one  of  the  first  directors  of  the  First 
National  Bankof  Olney,  and  afterwards  became  president.  The  last 
two  years  of  his  life  were  passed  in  the  ca[)acity  as  director  of  public 
schools  of  Olney.  He  was  considered  one  of  Olney's  most  successful 
financiers.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  Louis  Kramer,  the  only 
living  child  of  Jacob  and  Abigail  (Lewis)  Kramer,  was  born  in 
Edwards  County,  111.,  March  2,  i8()().  In  1877,  he  emT)arked  in  the 
lumber  business,  the  firm  being  Kramer  &  Hurn.  He  bids  fair  to 
make  a  successful  financier  and  business  man. 

JOHN  KUSTER,  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk,  was  born  in  Berne, 
Switzerland,  on  November  20,  1820,  and  is  the  second  of  the  eleven 
children  born  to  Casper  and  Barbara  (Sterchi)  Kuster,  natives  of 
Switzerland,  and  of  French  and  Geraian  descent.  Casper  was  a 
cabinet  maker  and  house  joiner.  He  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  time 
and  then  joined  the  Swiss  regular  army.  In  1833,  he  emigrated  with 
his  wife  to  the  United  States,  and  came  to  Minerva,  Stark  Co.,  Ohio, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  for  three  or  fonr  years,  and  then  moved 
to  Carroll  County,  in  the  same  State,  and  lived  there,  following  his 
trade  until  his  death  in  1839.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  o?the 
German  Reformed  Church.  John  received  a  fair  education  in  his 
native  land,  but  had  no  further  opportunity  for  attending  school 
after  his  parents  came  to  America,  but,  by  his  exertions,  has  improved 
himself  and  acquired  a  great  deal  of  practical  knowledge  of  the  Eng- 
lish language.  He  learned  l)oth  the  stone  cutters'  and  carpenters' 
trades,  in  early  life.  After  the  death  of  his  father  the  supi)ort  of 
his  mother  and  her  five  younger  children  devolved  upon  him.  In 
1841  they  moved  to  German  Township,  in  this  county,  settling  near 
Stringtown.  They  were  very  poor,  as  were  almost  always  new  set- 
tlers. John  Kuster  engaged  here  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  in 
1846,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  erected  a  cabin 
and  improved  a  farm,  adding  more  land  from  time  to  time  as  he  was 
able  to  do  so,  until  he  owns  al)()ut  200  acres  in  all.  He  has  himself 
erected  a  good  frame  dwelling  upon  this  land  which  is  situated  in 


758  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY: 

what  is  now  known  as  Preston  Township.  In  1859,  he  was  elected 
fii-st  Township  Clerk,  of  that  township,  and  h(>l<l  that  office  for  nine 
years.  In  October,  1863,  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Richhind 
Connty,  and  soon  after  removed  to  01ne3%  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Mr.  Kuster  was  married,  in  1845,  to  Mary  Peebles,  a  native 
of  Hardin  Count}^  Ky.  They  had  tAvo  danirhters,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  Mrs.  Knster  died  June  4,  1879,  in  the  communion  of  the 
j\Iotl\odist  Ejiiscopal  Church.  On  April  2,  1882,  ]Mr.  Knster  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  (Stewart)  Whitaker,  a  native  of  New 
England.  Mr.  Kuster  is  a  member  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Ricldand  Chapter,  Xo.  38,  R.  A.  M.rOlney  Council,  Xo.  55, 
R.  &  S.  ]M.,  Gorin  Commandery,  Xo.  15,  K.  T.,  Peoria  Consistory, 
of  Scottish  Rite  Masons;  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  one 
of  the  old  settlers  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  county. 

WILLI A:\I  T.  LAMPTOX,  M  D.,  was  born  in  Breckenridge 
County,  Ky.,  August  27,  1855,  and  is  the  third  of  four  children  born 
to  Henry  T.  and  Mary  C.  (BroAvne)  Lampton,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  of  English  and  Scotch-Irish  descent,  respectively.  Henry 
T.  Lcunpton  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  State.  At  the 
aije  of  tweutv-five  he  entered  the  ministrv  and  has  continued  in  that 
calling  ever  since.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  Baptist  ministers  ot 
Kentucky.  In  1876,  he  removed  to  Rockport,  Spencer  Co.,  Ind., 
where  he  still  resides.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Frater- 
nity, having  advanced  to  the  Consistory,  or  thirty-second  degree. 
William  T.  Lampton,  the  subject,  received  a  good  education  at  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  State,  and  graduated  from  the  Louis- 
ville University,  in  1878.  Some  two  years  before,  however,  he  had 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  at  Rockport,  Ind.,  reading  during 
his  vacations.  He  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
Transylvania  University,  at  Louisville,  in  1<S.S(),  In  the  same  year 
he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Olney,  111.,  where  he 
has  had  good  success.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of 
the  enterprisiuij  vounsf  men  of  the  citv. 

FREDERICK  LAXDEXBERGER  was  hovn  in  Germany, 
April  7,  1850,  and  is  the  second  of  six  children  born  to  George  F. 
and  Mary  M.  (Streich)  Landenberger,  both  natives  of  Germany. 
George  F.  Landenberger  was  a  turner  and  cabinet  maker  by  trade. 
In  1854  l^e  emigrated  Avith  his  Avife  and  family  to  the  United  States, 
first  settling  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  Avhere  he  remained  until  1S59, 
when  became  to  Olney,  111.,  Avhere  he  still  resides.  Frederick  Lan- 
denberger, the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  good  common  school 
education  in  youth.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  commenced  to  learn 
telegraphy,  it nd  Avas  employed  at  that  business  until  1868.  He  Avas 
then  appointed  bill  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  O.  &  ISL  R.  R.,  at  East 
Saint  Louis,  Avhere  he  remained  until  1872.  He  then  returned  to 
OlncA^  111.,  where  he  Avent  into  the  grocery  and  jirovision  trade,  at 
Avhich  he  has  since  been  doing  an  extensive  business.  He  is  also  en- 
gaged in  buying  and  shipping  all  kinds  of  country  produce  and 
grain.     His  average  annual  sales  amount  to  from  $40,000  to  $50,000. 


OLNEY    CITY    AND   TOWNSIlir.  759 

He  is  also  extensively  enijaii-cd  in  the  ioc  ;ind  wood  bnsinoss.  Mr- 
L:indenl)crgcr  now  owns  real  estate,  ))usincss  and  residence  prop- 
erty, in  Olney,  and  farms  in  the  ('onntr}^  worth  from  $25,000  to 
$30,000,  in  addition  to  pei"Sonal  property.    He  was  married,  April  6, 

1877,  to  Luc'inda  E.  Ilendershot,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Three  children 
have  blessed  their  union,  all  of  whom  are  livin<jf.  Mrs.  Landen- 
beroferis  a  mem))er  of  the  Baptist  Chnrch.  In  politics  Mr.  Landen- 
berger  is  independent.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  in 
the  city  and  county. 

LEWIS  A.  LEVERING  was  born  September  28,  182»),  in 
Salem,  X.  C.  He  is  the  son  of  Charles  J.  and  Ruth  M-  (Rea)  Lev- 
ering ;  the  former  born  in  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. His  father  had  received  a  thoroughly  classical  education,  and 
was  teacher  in  the  Nathcreth  Hall,  Pennsylvania,  several  years. 
After  carrvinir  on  the  merchant  tailorinsr  business  several  years,  he 
removed  to  Indiana,  and  held  the  office  of  postmaster  ;  he  also  was 
engaged  in   book-keeping,  in  all  about  twenty  years ;  he  died   in 

1878,  in  Hope,  Ind.,  ao-ed  eighty-three  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  the  subject  of  this  sketcli  removed  to  Edwards  County,  111., 
and  carried  on  the  carpenter  trade  about  six  years  ;  in  1854  he  came 
to  Olney,  and  continued  the  carpenter  trade  ;  two  years  later  he 
moved  his  family  here,  where  they  have  since  resided.  He  contin- 
ued the  carpenter  trade  till  18134,  since  which  time  he  has  been  en- 
ofaofed  in  srardenins:  on  four  acres  which  he  owns,  and  on  which  he 
resides.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Eighth  Illi- 
nois (Mounted)  Infantry,  served  about  seven  months,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  1848,  to  Sophia  T.  Ho  user;  she  was  born  November  17, 
1828,  in  Salem,  N.  C.  Ten  children  blessed  this  union,  of  whom 
four  sons  and  three  dauirhters  are  living. 

AARON  LOESER  clothing,  was  born  in  Germany,March  28,1838, 
and  is  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  Lazarus  and 
Bettey( Moses)  Loeser,  natives  of  Germany.  Lazarus  Loeser  was  reared 
in  his  native  land,  and  there  married.  He  was  engaged  in  the  grain 
and  live  stock  business  until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  1858. 
Aaron  received  a  good  common  school  and  academic  education  in 
Germany.  At  the  age  of  twenty-eight  he  engaged  in  the  distilling 
business,  at  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  and  was  so  employed  for  six- 
teen years.  In  1880  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  was  em- 
ployed in  a  clothing  store  for  one  year,  and  in  1881  he  came  to  Ol- 
ney, and  opened  a  clothing  store.  Since  then  he  has  been  doing  an 
extensive  business.  He  carries  a  large  and  well-selected  stock  of 
clothing,  hats,  caps  and  gents'  furnishing  goods,  amounting  to  some 
^10,000.  His  avcraj^e  annual  sales  amount  to  $16,000  or  $17,000. 
Mr.  Loeser  was  married  in  1865  to  Rosette  Speier,  of  Germany.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
Loeser  is  very  enterprising,  and  as  a  general  thing  succeeds  in  all  his 
undertakings. 

NORMAN  A.  LOUGH,  attorney,  was  born  in  Denver  Town- 


700  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY: 

ship,  in  this  county,  on  October  10,  1852,  iind  is  the  only  survivinof 
child  of  four  who  were  born  to  Robert  C.  and  ]\Iary  A.  (Cortrecht) 
Loui^h,  natives  of  the  "  Old  Dominion  "  and  of  New  York,  and  of 
German-Scotch  and  Knglish-Scotch  descent,  respectively.  Rob- 
ert C.  came  to  Denver  Township,  where  he  entered  and  bought  some 
200  acres  of  wild  land,  Avhich  he  improved,  and  upon  whicii  he  con- 
structed a  loo-  cubin.  lie  still  resides  upon  the  i)hice,  but  has  added 
to  the  oriofinal  land  until  it  comprises  some  oOO  or  (100  acres,  a 
part  of  which  he  has  hitely  sold.  From  early  life  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity.  Mrs.  Louah  died  in  18G8,  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Norman  A.  was  educated  at  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Richland  County,  and  afterwards  attended  collea'e  at 
Lebanon,  111.,  three  years,  completino-  the  courses  in  Science  and 
Latin.  Until  his  seventeenth  year  he  was  employed  most  of  the 
time  u})on  the  home  farm.  In  1874  he  entered  the  law  oflSce  of 
Judge  Horace  Hayward,  of  Olney,  and  in  September,  1876,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  since  which  time  he  has  l)een  practicing  his  pro- 
fession here.  For  the  past  two  years  ]Mr.  Lough  has  been  engaged 
in  the  harness  as  well  as  the  law  business.  In  1877  he  was  elected 
City  Attorney  for  the  city  of  Olney,  and  was  re-elected  in  1879. 
He  was  married  January  9,  1877,  to  AUie  Conklin.  They  have  been 
given  one  son,  Clarence  R.  They  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  Mr.  Lough  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  a  very  enterprising  citizen. 

GEORGE  LUTZ,  undertaker,  was  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt, 
Germany,  November  1(5,  1823,  and  is  the  youngest  of  five  children 
born  to  John  and  Margaret  (Shafler)  Lutz,  of  German  ancestry. 
John  Lutz  was  educated  in  Germany,  and  there  chose  his  wife,  Mar- 
garet. He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  followed  this  for  many 
years.  In  1832  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  went  to  Pitts- 
burg, Penn.,  and  folloAved  his  vocation  for  four  years.  In  183()  he 
came  to  Lancaster, Wabash  County, in  this  State,  and  again  followed 
his  trade,  fiirming  at  the  same  time.  Here  his  death  occurred,  in 
October,  1844.  He  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  Church. 
George  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  and  also  re- 
ceived some  instruction  in  this  country.  At  the  age  of  nine  ye;irs 
he  went  as  errand-boy  in  a  store  in  Pittsburg.  When  thirteen,  his 
parents  took  him  to  Illinois,  and  here  he  was  employed  on  his 
father's  farm  until  his  tAventy-first  year.  He  then  farmed  indei)end- 
eiitly  for  one  year,  and  in  18*4")  he  engaged  in  the  carpenters'  trade, 
at  which  he  was  occupied  for  many  years.  In  August,  184(5,  Mr. 
Lutz  came  to  Olney,  and  in  1856,  in  company  with  H.  Hayward, 
erected  a  furniture  factory,  muler  the  firm  name  of  Lutz  &  Hay- 
ward. Mr.  Lutz  did  not,  however,  aljundon  his  trade,  l)ut  still 
worked  at  carpentering  to  some  extent.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he 
gave  up  both  the  manufactory  and  trade,  engaging  in  the  under- 
taking and  furniture  l)usiness  until  187(),  when  he  discontinued  the 
trade  in  furniture,  and  is  engaged  now  in  the  picture  and  undertaking 


OLNEY    CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  7G1 

tmdo,  aiul  is  (loin2f  a  ijood  business.  In  1847  or  18  IS,  he  was  elected 
on  the  scliool  l)oar(l  at  Olney,  and  lield  tliis  position  tor  ei^lit  yeai-s. 
He  was  also  Town  Trustee  tor  sevei'a!  years,  and  was  elected  Alder- 
man iininediatelv  after  the  o-nnitinof  of  the  town  charter.  He  is 
noAV  scrviiifjf  his  third  term  as  one  of  the  Boai'd  of  Su])ervisors, 
and  in  ISCd)  he  Avas  the  first  Kcpublican  candidate  for  Sheriff  of 
Kicliland  Countv.  In  Xo\eniber,  1844,  he  niai'ried  ^^'innifred 
Reynolds,  of  Wabash  County,  111.  To  them  have  been  given  seven 
children,  but  they  have  lost  four  of  them.  Both  Mr.  Lutz  and  Avife 
belonirto  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  b('h)ni'-s  to  the  four 
Masonic  bodies  of  Olney:  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M.,  R.  &  S.  M.  and 
K.  T.  In  the  last  named  he  has  been  for  many  years  S.  B.  He  is 
an  old  settler,  and  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics. 

.AIAdOR  -IA:MES  T.  McGIXNTSS  was  l)()rn  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  R  and  Elizabeth  (Sterlinof)  McGinniss,  the 
former  a  native  of  AUeirlicny  County,  Penn.,  the  latter  a  native  of 
New  York.  In  April,  18()1,  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Ohio  Volun- 
teers, and  was  called  to  the  defence  of  Washington,  D.  C-,  and  w^as 
also  euijaged  in  the  action  at  Vienna,  and  the  first  ])attle  of  Bull 
Run.  In  June,  1862,  he  enrolled  in  the  Eighty-Fourth  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  in  which  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Sergeant,  but  was  soon 
after  discharged.  In  September,  18()2,  he  Avas  commissioned  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Fourth  Ohio  In- 
fantry, and  was  sent  to  Ohio  on  recruiting  duty,  afterward  he  ac- 
companied his  regiment  to  Franklin,  Tenn.  In  April,  18(53,  he  was 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant ;  was  engaged  in  the  defence  of 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel.  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  the  ac- 
tions of  Thompson's  Station  and  Triune,  the  advance  on  Tulla- 
homa,  the  battle  of  C.hickamauga  (wdiere  he  was  twice  wounded), 
the  actions  of  Rossville,  the  later  operations  about  Chattanooga, 
and  the  actions  of  Bryon's  Ferry  and  Orchard  Knob  (Avherc  he 
was  again  Avounded).  Ho  also  participated  in  the  battle  of  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  the  East  Tennessee  cami)aign,  the  pursuit  of  Gen. 
Longstreet  into  Virginia,  the  actions  of  Dalton  and  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  the  battle  of  Resaca,  the  actions  of  Adairsville  and  Cass- 
\Mlle,  and  the  battles  of  Xcav  Hope  Church  and  Dallas,  Avhcre  he 
Avas  tAvice  Avounded.  In  July,  18(54,  he  Avas  commissioned  as  Cap- 
tain and  BrcAet-Major  of  United  States  Volunteers,  for  o-allant  and 
meritorious  services  at  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  jNIissionary 
Ridge  and  Dallas.  In  October,  1804,  he  was  appointed  Recorder 
of  an  Plxamining  lioard,  ui)on  Avhich  he  served  until  in  December  of 
the  same  year.  After  the  close  of  the  civil  Avar,  he  returned  to 
his  home  Avith  his  j)arents  in  Olney.  In  Fel)ruarv,  18()G,  he  Avas 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Thirteenth  LTnited  States 
Infantry,  and  in  the  same  month  was  promoted  to  be  First  Lieuten- 
ant in  the  same  regiment,  and  Avas  stationed  at  Fort  Columbus, 
NcAV  York  harbor,  till  the  foUoAving  June,  Avlien  he  rejoined  his  reg- 
iment at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.  In  Julv  of  the  same  A'car,  ho 
was  appointed  Adjutant  of  the  First  Battalion  of  his  regiment,  serv- 

46 


702  BIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICIILAND    COUNTY: 

ingas  .sucli  until  Deocmhcr,  ISGH.  In  July,  1807,  he  was  appointed 
Quartenuaster  of  his  regiment,  and  was  ])revetted  Captain  of  the 
United  States  Army  ;  about  the  same  time  he  was  brevetted  Cap- 
tain in  the  United  States  Army  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser- 
vices at  the  battle  of  Chickamauofa,  and  was  also  brevetted  ]MaJor 
in  the  United  States  Army  for  like  services  at  the  liattle  of  ^lission- 
iiry  Kidge.  He  served  with  honor  and  distinction  at  various  western 
])osts  until  August  31,  1871,  when  he  was  commissioned  Captain  in 
the  Thirteenth  United  States  Infantry.  After  this  he  served  at 
various  posts  in  the  West  and  South,  when  he  was  sent  to  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  on  recruiting  service;  afterwards,  he  served  at  Atlanta,  New 
Orleans,  and  other  stations,  until  March  13,  1878,  when  he  was 
retired,  on  account  of  wounds,  as  Captain  and  Brevet-Major  in  the 
United  States  Army,  since  which  time  he  has  made  his  home  with 
his  parents,  in  Olney. 

REV.  J.  W.  MERSCHER,  pastor  of  Saint  Joseph's  Catholic 
Church,  was  born  December  4,  1853,  in  Aviston,  Clinton  Co.,  111. 
His  father,  J.  A.  Merscher,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  and  was 
there  ensfao'cd  in  farming;  in  1844,  became  to  America,  located  in 
Clinton  County,  where  he  remained  engaged  in  farming  till  1882, 
when  he  removed  to  Nodaway  County,  Mo.,  where  he  now  resides. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  commenced  a  regular  course  of  studies, 
preparator}^  for  the  priesthood,  in  1800,  with  the  Franciscan  Fathers 
at  Teutopolis,  Illinois;  in  June,  1870,  he  entered  the  Saint  Francis 
Seminary,  near  Milwaukee,  and  prosecuted  his  studies  there  till  De- 
cember, 1870,  when  he  was  ordained  a  priest.  In  January,  1877,  he 
became  pastor  of  this  church,  which  has  a  membership  of  about 
seventy. 

AUGUST  F.  G.  MUEXCH  &  SOX  are  manufacturers  of  boots 
and  shoes.  Ausfust  F.  G.,was  born  in  Germanv,  Februarv  22,  1832, 
and  is  one  of  eight  children  hovn  to  John  Frederick  and  Anna  E. 
(Schulz)  Muench,  of  German  nationality,  John  F.  was  reared  and 
married  in  the  Fatherland,  and  followed  the  vocation  of  tailoring. 
He  served  during  the  Napoleonic  Avars  in  the  Prussian  army,  and  was 
engaged  at  the  famous  battle  of  Waterloo,  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Blucher.  He  died  in  1838,  having  attained  the  age  of  sixty. 
He  and  wife  were  of  Lutheran  faith.  August  received  a  ixood  Ger- 
man  education,  and  at  the  age  sixteen  was  apprenticed  to  a  shoe- 
maker, served  for  three  years,  then  was  a  journeyman  for  two  years, 
and  final!}"  o))ened  a  shop  at  Pyritz,  Germany,  and  remained  there 
for  seven  years.  He  then  went  to  Cunow,  and  in  1874,  came  to  the 
United  States.  He  came  to  Olney,  and  was  a  join-neyman  for  some 
two  years,  and  then  opened  a  shop  inde})endently,  and  has  succeeded 
in  business  ever  since.  In  ISAO,  i\Ir.  Muench  married  Anna  D.  Lendce. 
They  had  ten  children,  all  l)orn  in  the  Fatherland.  Five  only  are 
li\  ing  The  i)arents  l)elong  to  the  Evangelical  Association.  His 
oldest  living  son,  Bernhard  A.,  is  a  member  of  the  tirm.  He  was 
l)orn  Deceml)er  27,  1858,  and  was  married  in  Olney.  January  18, 
1882,  to  Sarah  Guyot,  a  native  of  Edwards  County,  anil  of  French- 


OLNEY   CITY    AND   TOWNSHIP.  7(J3 

Oerman  doscent.  One  dau^hthcr  has  been  born  to  tliem-Anna  E. 
Ihe  parents  belong  to  the  Evan,£relical  Lutheran  Association.  The 
yonn^est  son  ot  ^Ir.  A.  F.  G.  Muench  is  learning  the  trade  with 
nis  father  and  brother. 

T    1  ^T^'^';^^^   ^ILJRRAY,    o.i'ocer,  was  born  in  Lawrence  Countv 

NoTh    •  ^''n'^^^'^-^^'^  ^^I"i-r^^y' "••stives,  respectively,    ot 

iTtt^T'T  ''f  ^^^^••"=''^-Y,v"^'l  tl^«  f^^thor  ofScotch-Irish  descent 
At  the  ago  of  sixteen  years,  Tnnotliy  removed  with  the  parents  to 
Lawrence    Connty,  Ind.,  which  was  then  a  wilderness,  scircelv  dis- 

in'tt  In^^l  ''n-'  ""'"-1  ^'''  ^,^  ^"^"^^^^^  the  common  scLo  s, 
m  the  og  bmldings,  and  also  took  a  wife.  Soon  after,  in  1822,  he 
entered  20(J  acres  of  land,  crectc<l  a  log  ca],in  and  improved  his  tW 
He  lived  here  until  he  departed  this  life  on  Julv  13,  188L     He  ami 

the  rude  school-houses  ot  the  time,  and  also  assisted  in  his  father's 

Tow  7r"  Tl]^-  ^''  "^'"'"'^^  }'''  "^""^'"''^y-  ^''  I'^'^S,  he  came  to  Noble 
Township  ot  this  county,  where  he  purchased  370  acres,  and  Avas 
employed  in  agricultural  pui-siiits  for  fifteen  years.     Li  1873,  he  came 

nvn     r      '""i^"    ^^'''"'''^ ''  ^'^^^""^  '^"'^  pi'ovision  store.     He  also  ships 
o  luce  and  IS  carrying  alarge,  well-selected  stock  in   his  line,  and 
hi.  business  is  a  thrivin.^  one.     For  some  five  or  six  vears  he  was  Col- 
lector of  Aoble  Township,  and  is  at  present  a  Councilman  of  this 

?^  of  r]^  f^Z^^'  ^'^^'.  ^^''  ^^""-^^y  niarried  Lucetta,  daii^h- 
tei  of  Col.  John   bheeks  a  pioneer  of  Lawrence  Countv.     By  this 

Mr  .m  1  a';^^  r  ^''"  *""'  ^'\"'^^^'^"'  ''''''  ^-^^^tor.  and  two^sons! 
Ml.  and  Mi6.  Murray  are  members  ot  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a 
menobor  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Richland  Chap^L! 
^o.  Ob,  R  A.  M.,  Olney  Council,  No.  55,  R.  &  S-  M.,  and  Gorin 
Commandery,  ^o  14  K.  T.  Li  politics  he  is  a  Republican  s  a  p  o^ 
neer  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  and  hicihly 
respected  citizens  of  Olney.  "'o"^J 

ELLJAII    XELSOX,   now    familiarly  known  among   his   old 
acquaintances  as  "  Unc  e  Elijah,"  and  earliest  living  settTer  in  the 

l)i.tiict,  b.  C.     ;\  hen  a  child  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Frank- 
lin County,  Tenn.,  where  they  remained  until  the  autumn  of  181(j, 

ItTL  7l™7T/•^^•  "''^\F""'^t^^''  ^'^^^•'  '''^''''  ^^'^y  l'^'«^^  four  years: 
At  the  end  of  this   time  they  moved  to  Watertowii,  near  Olney, 

where  he  folk) wed  farming  and  teaming;  also  cared  for  the  sta4- 

drivers,  fed   their  team,  and  kept  tavern,  this  being  the  first  tavJrn 

ever  kept  in  the  county.     He  also  ran  the  first  stao^  line  from  Vin- 

cennes.  Lid.,  to  baint  Louis,    Mo.,    via    Van.lalia,^  and    while    thus 

enga^gcd,  formed  the  acquainfcmce  of  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  Gen.  AVill- 

lam   H.  ILirrison,   Gen.    Zachary   Taylor,  Gen.  Lewis  Cass,   Hon. 

Thomas    H.  Benton,  IIou.    James  Cook,  Hon.    Zedick  Casey,  Gov. 

Bond,  Gov.  Coles,  and  many  other  distinguished  men,  amono-  whom 

was  the  eccentric  Lorenzo    Dow,  who  frequentlv  made  his  house  a 

stopping  place.     When  he  came  to  the  county  he  entered  320  acres 


764  BlOGRAl^IIICAL    SKETCHES KICIILANl)    COUNTY: 

of  land,  on  which  stood  his  tavern.  Of  this  land  he  had  240  acres 
im])r()ved.  On  this  farm  he  lived  forty-four  years,  when,  selling  out 
in  18()4,  he  moved  to  Olney,  liichlaud  County,  and  purchased  a  house 
and  lot.  He  also  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Section  29,  ^vhere 
he  now  resides.  Mr.  Nelson  was  the  second  County  Commissioner 
of  Richland  County;  he  assisted  in  hauling  the  timber  to  ])uil(l  the 
tirst  jail  in  01nev,"^in  1843;  also,  hauled  the  hewed  logs  which  built 
the  fii-st  school-house  in  Oluey,  in  1842.  In  this  schoolhouse  were 
first  held  the  conrts  of  Wabash,  Edwards,  Lawrence  and  Richland 
counties.  At  that  time  the  Methodists  held  their  services  in  this 
house.  He  was  married  on  September  1(5,  l<s30,  to  Lucy  Bunch,  of 
Shelby  County,  Ky.  She  was  born  in  1812,  and  died  on  April  1,  1.S4.5. 
Six  children  were'^born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Will- 
iam R.,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army,  now  liviug  in 
Arkansas;  James  R.,  who,  in  1861,  enlisted  in  the  Sixty-Third  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  served  during  the  war;  Isabella  (now  Mrs.  Lanier) 
and  Sarah  E.  (now  Mrs.  C  Beakman).  He  was  next  married  on  Febru- 
ary 22,  1850,  to  Mrs.  Minerva  J.  Lanier,  of  Posey  County,  Ind.,  ])orn 
March  6, 1819.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  viz.:  Ltifayette, 
Martha  E.  (now  Mrs.  William  Fuitz),  and  Ellen  (now  Mrs.  :Mirracle), 
of  Wayne  County).  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  very  hospitable,  social  and  kind- 
hearted  pioneer,  and  is  politically  a  Democrat. 

J.  D.  NELSON  was  born  :May  10, 1832,  in  Richland  County,  111. 
His  father  came  to  this  locality  in  about  1820.  Our  subject  entered 
forty  acres  of  land  where  his  "house  now  stands;  he  now  owns  over 
300  acres,  mostly  improved;  he  has  a  very  comfortable  house,  which 
was  built  in  18(57,  and  cost  about  $1,300;  his  bam,  built  in  1.S75,  cost 
about  $500;  his  granary  cost  about  $100— all  of  this  property  and 
improvements  he'has  acquired  by  his  own  industry.  lie  was  mar- 
ried October  30,  1856,  to  Mary  H.  Brothers,  of  Richland  County. 
She  died  December  28, 1879,  in  her  fortieth  year,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren: Harriet  E.  ^ now  Mrs.  Craig);  Stephen  A.  and  John  Henry. 
Mr.  Nelson's  second  marriage  was"  to  Maggie  Strong;  she  was  born 
in  Ohio,  and  has  borne  one  daughter,  Ruth.  Mr.  Nelson  has  held 
the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  he  is  now  Township  Trustee. 

WILLIAM  NEWELL,  ]iork  i)acker,  and  grain,  wooil  and  coal 
dealer,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  December  12,1817,  and  is 
the  eldest  of  three  living  children  born  to  John  and  Catherine  A. 
(Donovan)  Newell,  natives  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  Irish  and  Eng- 
lish descent  respectively.  John  and  his  wife  were  brought  up  in  their 
native  city,  and  he  followed  the  wholesale  grocery  and  provision  bus- 
iness. In  about  1830,  he  Avent  to  New  York  City,  and  engaged  in 
the  same  trade  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newell  died 
within  two  years  of  eacli  other.  William  was  well  educated,  both 
in  conmion  and  academic  branches.  A\'lien  he  was  sixteen  years  old 
he  entered  the  store  of  his  uncles,  AVilliam  and  Samuel  Newell,  and 
remained  there  some  three  or  four  years.  In  1840,  he  went  to  Vin- 
cennes,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  a  grain  and  produce  trade,  and  shipped 
down  the  river  to  New  Orleans.     In  1845,  he  removed  to  Evansville, 


OLNEY  CITY   AND   TOWNSHIP.  7(J5 


where  he  was  engaged  in  the  dry  "goods  trade  for  three  years,  and 
in  1.S4S,  came  to  Olney  and  engaged  in  general  merchandise  and 
poriv  packing  combined;  also  in  the  grain,"coal  and  wood  trade.  For 
many  years  goods  were  shipped  in'  a  fiat  l)()at  to  New  Orleans,  by 
way  of  the  Fox,  Litth'  Wabasli,  Wabash,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  riv- 
ers. ]\rr.  Xewcir.s  l)usine.ss  career  has  been  very  active  and  success- 
fnl.  lie  has  been  a  moinl)er  of  the  Connty  Board  of  Supervisors  and 
one  of  the  city  Aldcrnieu.  He  was  marrunl  in  ISr^),  to  Catherine  A. 
JVIackey,  a  native  of  Evansville,  Ind.  Mr.  Newell  is  not  a  member 
of  the  church,  but  holds  to  the  Presbyterian  doctrine.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  \v:is  charter  member  of  ])oth  branches  in 
Olney.     He  is  a  ])ioue('i-  and  Republican,  and  is  highly  respected. 

O.  C.  PALMATEER  was  boru  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
August  22,  1.S4!»,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  seven  children  borii  to  Ben- 
jannn  and  Phebe  (Johnson)  Pahnateer,  natives  respectively  of  New 
York  and  Ohio,  and  of  French  and  EuGflish  extraction. "  In  1827, 
when  about  seventeen  years  old,  Benjamin  Pahnateer  moved  to  ^ 
Ciuernsey  County,  and  was  there  married  December  1,  1836;  he  was 
a  carpenter,  but  for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  flat  Ijoatinir;  later  i 

he  moved  to  Cumberland,  Ohio,  was  engaired  in  mercantile  pursuits 
there,  was    elected  Constable,  and  then  began  the  study  of  law, 
which   for  several  years  he  followed  as  a  profession.     In*^  18.51,  he 
moved   to  Crawford  Count}^,  111.,  where  he  worked  at  carpentering 
aiid  engaged  in  farming;  in  April,  ISlU,  he  brought  his  family  to 
Olney .^    In  Crawford  County  he  was  licensed  to  preach  in  the  Meth- 
oihst  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  proclaimed  the  gospel  until  his  death, 
December  31,  1873,  in  his  sixty-fourth  year.     Oris  C  Pahnateer,  in 
December,  1863,  when  l)ut  fourteen  years  of  aijc,  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Fort3^-Eighth  Illinois  A^olunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  at  Resaca,  Kene- 
saw  iNIouutain,  Atlanta  (where  he  was  wounded  in  the  breast),  and 
elsewhere,  and  also  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  Atlantic.     After 
the  war,  Mr.   Pahnateer,  was  employed  in  the  United  States  mail 
service  at  Saint  Louis,  for  a  time.     In  186(),  he  returned  to  Olney 
and  worked  at  painting  and  carpentering  in  the  summer  and  attended 
school  in  the  winter,  for  a  number  of  years;  in  1870,  he  began  teach- 
ing; in    187.5   and  1876,   he  clerked    in    Norris  City,  111.,  and  then 
became  local  editor  of  the  Olney  JVeivs;  in  December,  1877,  he  was 
appointed  Deputy  County  Clerk;  in  1881,  he  was  elected  City  Clerk, 
and  re-elected  in  1SS8.     September  12,  1S71,  he  married  Miss  Ella  L. 
Shelby,  who  bore  him  three  dauo-hters,  and  died  September  4,  1882, 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Mr.   Pahnateer  is  a 
member  of  the  same  church.     He  is  also  a  member  of  Parkersburo- 
Lodge,  No.  rA)d,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Oriental  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  of  Chi'- 
cago    lAIarmion  Lodge,  No.  52,  K.  of  P.;  Olney  Lodije.  No.  76,  A.  O. 
U.W.,  Olney  Legion,  No.  18,  S.  K.  A.  O.  U.  W.,an(r01ney  Post,  No. 
92,  Or.  A.  R.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  although  li(>'isat  pres- 
ent  local    editor  on    the    Olney    Times,  the  Democratic  organ  of 
Richland  County,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  prominent  citi- 
zens of  the  city  and  county. 


■fv. 


766  BIOGR.U'HICAL   SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COUIS'TY  : 

FLETCHER  T.  PHILLIPS,  druofGfist,  was  born  in  Preston 
Township,  in  this  county,  March  3,  1853,  and  is  the  third  of  eiirht 
children  born  to  Thomas  G.  and  Margaret  (Mc Williams)  Phillips, 
natives  respectively  of  White  County,  Tenn.,  and  of  Ohio,  and  of 
Welsh  and  Irish  ancestry.  Of  the  family,  six  children  are  living. 
Thomas  G.  came  with  his  parents  at  ten  years  of  age,  in  182.3,  to 
Calhoun  Prairie,  in  territory  which  is  now  Richland  County,  111., 
then  an  unbroken  wilderness.  At  that  time,  ten  or  twelve  families 
were  all  who  lived  in  the  present  county.  He  was  educated  in  rude 
log  schoolhouses,  and  assisted  on  his  father's  farm  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  In  18-1:2,  he  entered  200  acres  of  land  in  Preston  Town- 
ship, and  erected  a  log  cabin  and  imjn-oved  a  form  upon  which  he 
still  resides.  In  about  1849  or  1850,  he  built  the  first  frame  house 
in  the  township,  the  weather-boarding  for  which  was  split  with  a 
froe,  there  being  no  saw  mills  in  the  country.  Both  he  and  wife  are 
devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Fletcher  T. 
received  a  good  common  education  at  the  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  worked  at  farming  until  the  age  of  twenty,  when  he 
taught  awhile,  and  afterward  attended  McKendree  College,  Leb- 
anon, 111.  He  passed  the  examinations  of  the  Freshman  and  Soph- 
omore, begin\iing  at  the  Junior  year.  His  education  was  acquired 
by  his  own  industry  alone.  After  lea\nng  college,  Mr.  Phillips  taught 
school  in  this  county  four  winters,  reading  medicine  at  his  leisure 
hours,  and  during  the  summer  following  agriculture.  In  the  spring 
of  1880,  he  purchased  the  half  interest  in  a  drug  store  at  Olney,  in 
company  with  Mr.  Herron;  the  business  being  carried  on  imder  the 
firm  name  of  Herron  &  Phillips.  In  January,  1882,  Mr.  Herron 
retired;  since  which  time  Mr.  Phillips  has  conducted  the  business 
alone,  and  the  place  is  known  as  the  "  City  Drug  Store."  He  has 
also  dealt  in  musical  instruments  for  the  past  nine  years,  and  has 
been  very  successful,  having  sold  some  sixty  organs  and  pianos  dur- 
ing the  first  six  months  of  1883.  On  June"^  1,  1876,  Mr.  Phillips  was 
joined  in  matrimony  to  Jennette,  daughter  of  John  Elliot,  of  Olney, 
They  have  been  given  two  daughters — Margaret  G.  and  Anna  M. 
Mr.  Philli})s  does  not  belong  to  the  church.  Ho  is  a  member  of  the 
K.  of  P.,  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  a  Rei)ublican.  He  is  an  enterpris- 
ing and  prominent  business  man. 

FINNEY  D.  PRESTON,  County  Judge  of  Richland  County, 
was  born  in  AVabash  County,  111.,  August  12.  1820.  His  father, 
Joseph  Preston,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  settled  in  Ohio,  near  Cin- 
cinnati, in  1811,  but  in  the  fall  of  1815  removed  with  his  family  to 
Illinois  and  located  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  was  afterward 
born.  His  mother  was  Abigail  Finney,  daughter  of  E.  W.  Fimiej^ 
who  came  from  near  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  settled  Avith  his  family  seven 
miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  in  180<).  The  former  died  in  1830  and  the 
latter  in  1847.  Finney  D.  Preston  worked  on  a  farm  until  1839, 
then  served  a  time  at  blacksmithing,  at  Mount  Carmel;  subsoquontly 
he  tauirht  school;  in  1814,  he  was  elected  Eniirossino'  and  Enrolling' 
Clerk   of  the  Illinois  House  of  Representatives;  in    1846,  he  was 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHIP.  767 

chosen  Clerk  of  the  S(Miate;  in  1848,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  Illinois;  he  then  read 
law  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  spring  of  18.")3.  That  year 
he  resis-iied  his  office  and  came  to  Olney,  where  he  still  resides. 
From  this  county  he  has  twice  been  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the 
Leo-islature,  and  has  since  served  as  Secretary  to  the  Senate;  in  1857, 
he"  was  appointed  jNIail  Agent  for  the  Northwestern  States,  and 
filled  the  otfice  two  years;  he  next  served  as  Secretary  of  the  State 
Senate,  and  then  filled  the  post  of  Suite's  Attorney  continuously 
until  1870,  exceptino-  from  September,  18(i2,  until  July,  18(;:),  Avhen 
he  was  in  the  Federal  army,  on  the  staft'  of  Gen.  Wilder.  He  then 
practiced  law  for  several  years,  at  Olney.  In  1846,  he  married  Phebe, 
dauo-hter  of  Samuel  Mundy.  In  1878,  he  was  elected  County  Judge, 
which  position  he  now  holds. 

DOUGLASS  A.  PRESTON,  State's  Attorney,  was  born  in  Olney, 
111.,  December  19,  1856.  In  early  life  he  received  a  good  education, 
and  in  January,  187(5,  went  into  his  fiither's  law  office  for  the  purpose 
of  preparing  for  the  profession.  Douglass  A.  remained  in  the  office 
until  the  month  of  January,  1878,  wIkmi  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
by  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois.  Being  of  an  independent  spu-it, 
on  his  return  home,  he  opened  a  law  office  on  his  own  account.  Soon 
after  the  establishment  of  his  office,  in  1880,  Mr.  Preston  became  a 
candidate  for  State's  Attorney,  before  the  Democratic  ju-imary  elec- 
tion, and  was  nominated  over  his  opponent,  G.  M  Longenecker, 
and  was  elected  by  over  600  majority.  On  March  24,  1880,  Mr. 
Preston  was  married  to  Florence  B.  Rhode.  He  is  a  popular  lawyer 
and  a  rising  youno-  man  of  whom  the  county  may  well  be  proud. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  T.  PRUNTY  was  born  near  Bardstown, 
Nelson  Co.,  Ky.,  August  17,  1838,  and  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children 
born  to  Robert  M.  and  Ann  (Heaycnhill)  Prunty,  Kentuckians,  of 
Irish  and  German-Irish  descent,  respectively.  Robert  INI.  was  edu- 
cated and  married  in  Kentucky,  learned  the  wheelwright  trade  and 
followed  it  there  until  his  death  in  1855.  He  belonged  to  the  Ma- 
sonic Fraternity.  William  T.  received  a  fair  education,  and  from 
twelve  to  sixteen  years  dwelt  with  his  grandfather  on  a  farm.  He 
then  accompanied  an  uncle  to  Mississippi,  where  he  followed  the 
stock  business  two  years.  In  1857  ISIr.  Prunty  came  to  Gi-ayville, 
111.,  and  was  salesman  for  some  six  years.  In  August,  1862  he 
assisted  in  recruiting  Company  B,  Eighty-Seventh  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  the  com- 
pany. Lieut.  Prunty  was  made  Captain  in  December,  1863,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  with  the  reg- 
iment at  Helena,  Ark.,  June  16,  1865.  From  June,  1864,  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1865,  Capt.  Prunty  acted  as  Assistant  Inspector  General  on  the 
staff  of  Gen.  E.  J.  Davis.  After  the  war  our  sul)ject  was  travehng 
salesman  for  a  wholesale  Cincinnati  house,  until  February,  1877,  at 
which  period  he  came  to  Olney,  and  engaged  in  the  retail  hardware 
trade  with  a  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Prunty  &  Jolly ,^ 
imtil  February,  1883,  when  he  abandoned  the  business  on  account  ot 


768  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COUNTY: 

failiiiir  health.  He  has  recently  received  an  appointment  in  the 
Unitexl  States  ^Marshal's  office,  at  Springfield,  111.  He  has  been 
City  Clerk  at  Gmy^'ille  for  two  or  three  years,  and  Mayor  of  Olney 
from  April,  1881,  to  April,  1883.  He  belongs  to  the  society  of  the 
Armv  of  the  Tennessee,  and  to  Olney  Post"  Xo.  92,  C  A.  R.,  and 
has  just  represented  his  Post  in  the  Department  Encampment  at 
Decatnr,  111.     He  is  a  Republican. 

THOMAS  RATCLIFF  was  born  in  Kent  County,  England, 
April  8,  1824,  and  is  the  seventh  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Will- 
iam and  :Mary  A.  (Miller)  Ratclift',  both  natives  of  England.  Will- 
iam Ratcliff"  received  an  ordinary  common  school  education  in  his 
native  land,  where  he  was  also  married,  and  where  he  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  In  1830  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  with  his  fiimily,  first  settling  at  Buffalo,  X.  Y.,  where 
he  was  employed  at  plastering  for  two  years.  In  1833,  he  removed 
to  Richland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  bought  a  tarm,  and  was 
engaged  in  farming,  in  connection  with  his  trade  of  plastering,  for 
about  four  years.  In  1837  he  came  to  what  is  now  Olney  Township, 
Richland  Co.,  111.,  where  he  entered  160  acres  of  land  upon  which 
he  erected  a  log  house,  which  he  subsequently  improved,  and  upon 
which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Xovember  9,  1868. 
Thomas  Ratclitf,  our  subject,  received  a  common  scliool  education  in 
youth  and  was  employed  on  his  fiither's  farm  until  he  was  eio"hteen 
years  old,  when  he  went  to  learn  the  blacksmiths'  trade,  serving  an 
apprenticeship  of  three  years.  He  then  went  into  partnership  with 
the  man  with  whom  he  learned  his  trade,  at  Olney,  111.,  and  after 
one  year  bought  him  out.  He  continued  to  follow  the  trade  in  con- 
nection with"  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  plows  and  general 
repairing,  for  some  twenty-five  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  sale 
of  wagons,  agricultural  machinery  and  implements  at  Olney,  and  at 
which"  he  has  since  been  doing  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Ratcliff 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  County  Supervisors  for  several 
terms;  has  also  held  the  office  of  Alderman  of  the  city,  and  director 
of  the  city  schools,  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  directors  of  the  First 
X'^ational  Bank  of  Olney,  having  been  a  stockholder  in  that  cori)ora- 
tion  ever  since  its  organization.  He  was  married  on  September  19, 
1844,  to  Catharine  H.  Ranstead,  a  native  of  Vigo  County,  Ind.  Xine 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  jNIrs. 
Ratclifi'  is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Ratclifi"  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  early  settlers 
and  prominent  business  men  of  the  city  and  county. 

ALBERT  RATCLIFF  was  born  in  Olney,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  Au- 
gust 7,  184.'),  and  is  the  oldest  of  nine  children  born  to  Thomas  and 
'Catharine  H.  (Ranstead)  Ratclifi*.  Alb(>rt  Ratclifi',  the  snl)ject, 
received  a  good  edncation  at  the  common  and  select  schools  of  Olney. 
February  26,  1864  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Xinety-Eighth  Illinois 
'  (Mounted)  Infantry,  which  formed  a  part  of  the  famous  Gen.  AV^ild- 
cr's  lirigade.  He  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and 
cnofairements  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  Avith  the 


OLNEV   CITY   AND  TOWNSHIP.  769 

reoimoiit  at  Nashville,  Tonii.,  September  8,  1865.  He  participated 
ill  the  battles  of  Kesaca,  KiMicsaw  Mountain,  Atlanta,  Sehna,  Ala., 
as  well  as  nian}^  other  lesser  engfagements.  After  his  return  from 
the  army  he  attended  school  for  a  time,  and  then  learned  tiie  black- 
smiths' trade,  Avhich  he  has  followed  ever  since.  In  1878  he  engaged 
in  tlie  manufacture  of  mill-picks,  at  Olney.  Ill,  in  connection" M^ith 
following  his  trade.  At  this  he  is  and  has  been  doing  an  extensive 
business.  In  1879  he  discovered  a  new  process  of  working  and  tem- 
pering steel,  which  gave  him  a  decided  advantage  over  other  pick 
manufacturers.  His  pick  became  veiy  jjopular  with  mill  men  gen- 
erally, and  tinds  a  market  in  almost  every  State  and  Territory  in  the 
Union.  Mr.  Ratclitf  was  married  October  28,  18()G,  to  Emma  Flow- 
ers, a  native  of  New  Richmond,  Clermont  Co.,  Ohio.  Eight  chil- 
dren have  blessed  their  union,  six  of  whom  are  yet  livino-.  Mrs. 
Ratcliif  died  March  2.5,  1883.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Ciuirch;  Mr.  RatclifTis  also  a  member  of  the  same  church. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  M.  A.,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  In  pol- 
itics he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  and  prominent 
business  men  of  the  city  and  county. 

LLOYD  RAWLINGS  (deceased)  was  born  in  Ohio  on  June  10, 
1803,  and  died  on  September  26,  1883.  At  an  early  day  he  came  to 
Lawrence  County,  III.,  which  at  that  time  comprehended  the  eastern 
portion  of  Richland  County.  On  August  20,  1828,  he  was  married 
to  Matilda  Ruark,  who  was  born  December  30,  1813,  in  Indiana. 
To  them  w^ere  born  twelve  children,  nine  of  wdiom  survive,  viz,: 
Mary  J.  (now  Mrs.  Johnson);  Shadrach,  farmer;  Elizabeth  (now  Mrs. 
James  Callon) ;  INIolinda  (nowlMrs.  W.  Proctor);  Maria  (now Mrs.  K. 
Eggler);  Samuel,  now  a  practicing  physician  at  New  Harmony,  Ind.; 
George,  farmer;  Joseph,  in  Colorado,'  mining;  Levi,  living  "at  the 
homestead  and  managing  the  tarm.  Their  sons,  John,  George,  and 
Shadrach  served  in  tlie  army  during  the  late  war.  John 
died  on  November  27,  1867.  Mr.  Rawliugs'  married  life  extended 
over  the  space  of  fifty-five  years,  two  months  and  ten  days.  His 
widow  still  survives  him.  Since  1839  he  had  been  a  worthy 
and  consistent  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  was 
an  afi'ectionate  husband,  a  kind  father,  and  honest  and  upright 
in  all  his  dealings.  The  first  sermon  preached  in  this  section 
of  the  comitry  was  listened  to  in  his  log  cabin  on  Calhoun 
Prairie.  In  April,  1849,  Mr.  Rawliugs,  with" eleven  others,  from 
Richland  County,  went  the  overland  route  to  California.  AYhile 
there,  and  while  he  and  a  comi)anion  were  deer-hunting,  he,  bein"- 
temporarily  separated  from  his  companion,  was  attacked  by  a  full^ 
grown,  savage  grizzly  bear.  The  bear  came  upon  him  so  suddenly 
that  he  knocked  his  gun  out  of  his  hand  with  his  paw,  and  seizing 
Mr.  Rawlings'  head  in  his  mouth,  proceeded  unceremoniously  to  reduce 
it  to  a  pulp.  With  ]\Ir.  Riiwlings  it  was  a  life  and  death  struggle. 
In  the  meantime  he  was  callinglfor  help  from  his  absent  comi)anion, 
who,  hearing  his  cry  of  distress,  rushed  upon  the  scene,  killed  the 
bear,  and  saved  him.  Mv.  Rawlings  carried  the  marks  of  this  strug- 
gle to  the  grave,  but  out-lived  his  rescuer  by  twenty  years. 


770  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTTi": 

SHADRACH  RAWLIXGS  was  born  Jamuuy  3, 1835,  in  Olney 
Township,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  the  hite  Lloyd  Riwliugs,  who  was 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  connty.  Shadrach  enlisted  in 
1862  in  Company  H,  One  Hnndrod  and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantr}^ 
and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Vicksbm-of,  Champion  Hill,  and  Ma,o-nolia  Hills;  he  was  taken  pris- 
oner at  Mansfield,  La.,  was  confined  in  prison  at  Tyler,  Texas,  four- 
teen months,  was  then  paroled,  and  returned  home,  having  been 
promoted  to  Corporal.  He  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He 
Avas  married,  May  8,  1856,  to  Rachel  E.  Bell,  a  native  of  Guernsey 
County,  Ohio.  She  died  in  1869,  aged  thirty-five  years,  leaving  four 
children — Sarah  C  (now  Mrs.  Berry);  Mary^I.  (now  ;Mrs.  Whitmer); 
Eva  B.  and  Charles  E.  Rose  Ida,  wife  of  Mr.  Newton,  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1882,  aged  eighteen  years;  John  A.  died  in  infancy.  His 
second  marriag-e,  in  1870,  was  to  Mary  J.  Miszer,  of  Stark  County, 
Ohio.  They  have  two  children — Jonathan  R.  and  ]Mary  J.  ]Mr. 
Rawlino^s  lias  been  school  director  since  his  return  from  the  armv. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  RHODE,  clothing,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, December  6,  1834,  and  is  the  fifth  of  six  children  born  to 
Conrad  and  Anna  C  (Yackel)  Rhode,  natives  of  Germany.  Conrad 
was  born  January  10,  1796;  was  educated  and  married  in  German}', 
and  followed  the  wagon-makers'  trade  until  he  died,  on  ]\Iay  19, 
18()6.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  Prussian  army,  and 
served  for  eight  years,  which  included  the  wars  with  Napoleon  I.  He 
was  with  those  who  occupied  Paris  in  1813.  He  served  as  Tax  Col- 
lector and  President  of  the  Council  of  the  village.  These  ofiices 
have  never  gone  out  of  the  family  since,  and  are  now  held  by  his  eld- 
est son,  Christian  H.  He  and  wife  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  Church, 
for  which  body  he  had  filled  various  official  positions.  William 
received  a  good  education  in  the  Fatherland,  and  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, in  1851,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  going  first  to  San- 
dusky, Ohio.  He  "learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  making,  and  then 
went  to  Tiffin  County,  where  he  worked  as  salesman  for  three  years; 
then  was  employed  in  the  grocery  and  provision  business  in  the  same 
place  for  one  year.  October  15,  1861,  he  received  a  commission  as 
Second  Lieutenant  in  and  helped  recruit  Company  D,  Fifty-Eighth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  his  discharge,  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  January  15,  1865.  In  October,  1862,  he  was  promoted 
First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  of  the  regiment,  and  in  June,  18()4, 
Avas  made  Captain,  and  assigned  to  detached  service  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.  In  April,  1864,  he  received  a  gold  medal  of  honor  for  meri- 
torious service,  on  which  were  inscribed  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post,  and  Vicksburg,  liy  order  of  ]\Iajor- 
General  ]\IcPlierson.  In  1865  he  came  to  Olney,  followed  the  hard- 
ware busuiess  until  1877,  and  in  1878  engaged  in  the  clothing  busi- 
ness,  also  carrying  a  stock  of  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  as  well  as 
gents'  furnishing  goods.  Ho  has  h?on  a  Supervisor  of  Richland 
County,  and  for  thirteen  years  past  has  been  one  of  the  Directors  of 
Olney  public  schools.      He  married,  in  February,  1861,  Caroline  J. 


OLXEY   CITY   AND   TOWNSHIP.  771 

Kiuich,  of  Tiffin  County.  Five  children  Avere  born  to  them,  of  whom 
two  sons  and  one  daughter  survive.  In  May,  l'SN3,  ^Ir.  Rhode  visited 
his  native  hind,  returning  in  August  of  the  same  year.  While  he 
was  there  the  medal  alluded  to  served  him  as  a  passport  to  all  ])arts 
of  the  German  Empire.  He  belongs  to  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  I.  O.  M. 
A.,  and  the  G.  A.  K. ;  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  quite  prominent 

JAMES  I.  RICHEY,  live  stock  dealer,  is  a  native  of  Blount 
County,  Tenn.,  and  w^as  born  ^lay  .5,  1847;  a  son  of  James  H.  and 
]SIatikla  (Adams)  Richey,  Teunesseeiuis,  of  Scotch  and  English 
descent  respectively.  James  H.  was  educated  and  nuirried  in  his 
native  State,  and  farmed  until  1851,  when  he  went  to  Crawford 
County,  111.  In  186.5  became  to  Denver  Township,  in  this  county, 
and  lived  there  till  his  death,  on  November  13,  1876.  He  and  wife 
were  Presbyterians,  and  he  was  an  elder  for  over  thirty  years  in 
that  body,  and  belonged  to  the  I.  C  O.  F.  His  wife  died  August 
27,  1879.  Her  father,  Isom  Adams,  was  cousin  of  John  Q.  Adams. 
James  I.  received  a  limited  education,  but  by  his  exertions  acquired 
a  good  business  education.  He  worked  upon  his  lather's  tarm  until 
his  thirtieth  year,  and  in  1878  was  elected  Sheriff  of  this  county,  and 
was  re-elected  in  1880,  serving  in  all  four  years.  Since  1882  he  has 
been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  is  succeeding. 
He  is  also  dealing  iii  live  stock  in  this  count}'.  On  August  8,  1878, 
iMi'.  Richey  was  Carried  to  Emma  E.  Younge,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  "Mr.  Richey  belongs  to 
the  several  Masonic  bodies  of  Olney,  viz.:  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M., 
R.  &  S.  M.,  K.  T.,  and  K.  of  P.     In  politics  he  is  a  timi  Democrat.  ^^^ 

ED^^IUND  ^y.  RIDG"\VAY,  :\1.  D.,  was  born  in  HuTisl)urg, 
Penn.,  September  29,  1812,  and  is  the  second  of  ten  children  born  to 
Richard  and  Sarah  (Cowall)  Ridgw ay,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  of  English  and  ^Velsh  descent  respectively. 
Richard's  great-grandfather  was  among  the  Quaker  colonists  who 
landed  with  William  Penn  in  1682.  He  settled  at  Egg  Harbor. 
Richard,  father  of  our  subject,  was  well  educated  and  brought  up  on 
a  fann.  He  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  was  employed  as  a  salesman. 
After  a  time  he  removed  to  Bradford  County,  there  married,  and  ran 
a  grist  mill,  in  company  with  his  brother.  In  1810  he  came  to  Har- 
risburs",  Penn.,  and  took  a  contract  for  manufacturing  the  bricks 
for  the  Penns3'lvania  State  House.  He  followed  brick  making  for 
many  years.  In  1820  he  moved  to  Mansfield,  this  county,  and  was 
eno-as-edin  the  same  business  for  eighteen  yeai-s.  In  1838  he  went  to 
Wabash  County,  111.,  and  bought  a  farm.  His  wife  died  there  in 
1850,  and  his  death  occurred  in  1855.  Edmund  W.  received  a  good 
education,  and,  when  a  boy,  was  bound  out  to  a  saddler,  where  he 
learned  that  trade.  When  his  time  had  expired  he  began  studying 
medicine  in  Mansfield,  Ohio,  and  completed  the  course.  In  1844  he 
attended  medical  lectures  at  Willouirhby,  Ohio,  and  in  1846  came  to 
Olney,  and  practiced  here  with  excellent  success  uutil  January,  18.^3, 
when  he  retired  from  active  practice.     In  1872  he  received  the  hon- 


772  BIOGRAPHICAL,   SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COUNTY: 

orary  do2:roc  at  the  Louisville  Medical  Colleire.  Dr.  Ridijway  stands 
]ii*'h  in  iiis  profession,  and  his  ability  is  acknowledged  by  the  profes- 
sion. He  was  maiTied  in  March,  1^35,  to  Mary  Carrothers,  of  Mans- 
field, Ohio.  Ten  children  blessed  this  union,  only  fom-  of  whom,  two 
sons  and  two  dauirhters,  survive.  Mrs.  Ridgway  died  ^lay  18,  1880,  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  the 
Doctor  belongs.  He  is  a  member  of  Richland  Lodge,  No.  180,  L  O. 
O.  F.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  very  prominent  in  the 
circles  in  which  he  has  moved  so  lonof- 

TOWNSEND  H.  ROWLAND  was  born  in  Long  Island,  N.  Y., 
September  6,  1805,  and  was  the  second  in  a  family  of  five  children 
born  to  Tredwell  H.  and  Susan  (Arthur)  RoAvland,  natives  of  Long 
Island,  and  of  French-Irish  and  English-German  descent,  respect- 
ively. Tredwell  H.  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  town, 
and  followed  the  carpenters'  trade  in  New  York  City  until  his  death, 
which  occuiTed  in  1825.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  was  a  Lieutenant 
in  a  company  of  New  York  militia.  Townsend  H.  received  a  poor 
education,  and  at  sixteen  years  of  age  was  apprenticed  to  the  tailors' 
trade  in  New  York  City,  serving  for  three  years,  and  afterward  fol- 
lowing that  trade  imtil  1832,  when  he  was  obliged  to  find  some 
other  employment,  owing  to  failing  health.  He  followed  teaming, 
marketing  and  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  the  metropolis  for  six  or 
eight  years,  and  then  moved,  in  1840,  to  Lawrence  County,  in  this 
State,  larming  for  two  years.  In  1842  Mr.  Rowland  went  to  Bon- 
pas  Town-ship,  this  countj^  and  settled  on  240  acres  of  wild  land. 
He  erected  a  cabin,  improved  the  farm,  and  resided  there  until  18()5, 
after  which  he  rented  it  and  came  to  Olney,  since  which  time  he  has 
not  been  engaged  in  active  business.  In  1826  Mv.  Rowland  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Eliza  Sands,  of  Long  Island.  She  has  borne 
her  husband  eleven  children,  of  whom  four  sons  and  six  daughtei-s 
are  living.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  our  respected 
pioneers  and  valued  citizens.  Mr.  Rowland  does  not  belong  to  the 
church,  and  is  very  liberal  in  his  views. 

HON.  ELBERT  ROWLAND,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  April  28,  1832,  and  is  eldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  Townsend 
H.  and  Eliza  (Sands)  Rowland,  a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found 
elscAvhere.  Elbert  was  educated  in  a  log  cabin  in  this  county,  as  his 
father  moved  here  in  1840.  Our  subject,  by  close  application,  has 
accjuircd  a  i)ractical  education  since  he  reached  manhood;  and  he  is 
an  extensive  reader  and  well  posted  in  history,  as  well  as  the  cur- 
rent literature  of  the  day.  In  1855,  he  began  studying  medicine, 
with  Dr.  J.  L.  Flanders,  of  Olive,  Lawrence  Co.,  111.  After  two 
years  here,  in  1857,  he  attended  the  New  York  jNIedical  Colleire, 
graduating  from  the  Department  of  Chemistry  in  1858,  and  troni  the 
Medical  Department  one  year  later.  Dr.  Rowland  then  began  prac- 
ticing in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  until  18(51,  when  he 
was  a])])ointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
Sevontli  Regiment  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  remained 
until  ISIM,  when  he  I'csigned  his  position  in  the  army  and  came  to 


OLNEY    CITY   AND   TOWNSHIP.  773^ 

Olney.  During  the  last  year  of  his  service  in  the  army  he  was  Act- 
mg  Suro-eon.  \sinco  1S(U  he  has  lived  in  Olne}-,  and  has  enjoyed  an 
extensive  practice.  The  Doctor  was  married,  January  23,  18G2,  to 
Kate  D,  :MalhQy,  a  native  of  New  York  City.  Five  children,  two 
sons  and  three  daughters,  bless  this  marriage.  Dr.  Rowland  is  not  a 
member  of  the  church;  he  belongs  to  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  Richland  Chapter,  No.  38,  R.  A.  M.,  Olney  Council,  No.  .55, 
R.  &  8.  M.,  Gorin  Commandery,  No.  14,  K.  T.,  and  the  G.  A.  R., 
Olney  Post,  No.  92,  of  which  he  is  at  present  Sm-geon.  He  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat; was  chairman  of  the  Central  Conmiittee,  of  this  county,  for 


sicians  and  Surgeons,  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  is  Health  Officer  for  this 
city.  President  of  the  Board  of  Examining  Surgeons  for  th(^  Pension 
Department,  and  in  1880  was  on  the  committee  to  examine  candi- 
dates for  West  Point  cadetship.  He  is  an  excellent  debater,  clear, 
precise  and  forcible.  The  Doctor  is  a  pioneer  of  Richland  County, 
ranks  high  in  his  profession,  and  is  respected  by  all  his  acquaint- 
ances. 

JOHN  C.  RUSH  was  born  in  Hastings,  Barry  Co.,  Mich.,  June 
28,  1838,  and  is  the  younger  of  two  children  born  to  Henry  H.  and 
Christina  CSnell)  Rush,  the  former  a  native  of  Hamilton  and  the 
latter  of  Darke  County,  Ohio,  and  of  German  descent.  Henry  H. 
Rush  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  county,  where  in  early 
life  he  learned  the  gunsmitii  and  blacksmith  trades.  In  1837  he 
removed  to  Hastings,  Mich.,  Avhere  he  followed  his  trade  for  a  short 
time,  and  in  183!)  he  went  to  Darke  County,  Ohio,  where  he  edited 
a  Whig  paper  for  several  years.  In  1805  he  came  to  Olney,  111., 
where  he  has  since  lived  a  retired  life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  which  church  he  has  been  a  minister  for  over  forty 
years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  John  C. 
Rush,  the  sul)ject,  received  a  fair  common  school  education  in  his 
youth.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  went  to  learn  the  bakers'  trade, 
serving  an  apprenticeship  of  four  yejirs.  In  April,  18i31,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  P>ighth  Indiana  Infantry,  for  the  three  months  serv- 
ice, and  served  with  that  regiment  until  the  expiration  of  its  term  of 
service.  In  the  spring  of  1802,  he  again  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Fifth  Indiana  Cavalry,  and  was  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organi- 
zation of  his  Company.  AVitii  this  regiment  he  served  in  all  its 
marches  and  engagements  until  July  30,  18G4,  when  he  was  taken 
prisoner,  being  surrendered  by  Gen.  Stoneman.  He  was  confined  in 
the  Andersonville  prison  until  the  spring  of  18G5,  when  he  was 
removed  to  Florence,  S.  C,  thence,  with  others,  furtlier  north,  with 
the  hope  of  keeping  them  out  of  the  way  of  Gen.  Slierman's  army. 
Finally,  they  were  paroled  at  Goldsborough,  N.  C.  He  was  then  a 
mere  skeleton,  Aveighing  only  from  sixty-five  to  seventy  ])ounds,  and 
nnable  to  walk.  When  he  reached  home  his  parents  did  not  recog- 
nize him.     He  was  mustered  out  with  his  regiment  at  Indianapolis, 


774  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES RICHLAND    COUNTY: 

in  Jul}'?  18(55.  In  the  following  fall  he  came  to  Olney,  111.,  where 
he  bouoht  and  operated  a  bakery,  until  the  spring  of  1881,  when  he 
retired  from  active  business  on  account  of  failing  health.  He  was 
married,  in  18()7,  to  jNIattie  Clark,  a  native  of  Richland  County,  Ill- 
Six  children  blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom  are  still  living.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Olney  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  E.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

MATTHEW  M.  ST.  JOHN,  fai-mer,  was  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  December  25,  182(),  and  is  the  second  of  the  six  children  born 
to  Samuel  and  Sophia  (Snell-McClain)  St.  John,  natives  of  Orange 
Comity,  N.  Y.,  and  of  French  and  Scotch-English  descent  respect- 
ively.    The  ancestors  of  both  were  early  Puritan  colonists  at  Bos- 
ton, iSIass.,  and  some  of  them  were  hearty  participants  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.       One    branch  settled  in    Pennsylvania  and  were 
nearly  exterminated  at  the  W3^oming  massacre.     Samuel  was  edu- 
cated in  his  native  State,  and  in  1816,  removed  to  Brookville,  Frank- 
lin Co.,  Ind.,  descending  the  Alleghany  and  Ohio  rivers  on  a  raft. 
He  married  here,  and  in  about  1825  removed  to  Cincinnati.     In  1827 
he  returned  to  Franklin  Comity,  bought  a  tract  of  wild  land,  built  a 
cabin,  and  finally  sold  his  farm,  in  1832,  went  to  Brookville  one 
year  and  in  1833  moved  to  Marion  Township.     Here  he  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits.    In  1837,  he  went  to  Johnson  County,  Ind., 
and  lived  upon  a  farm  until  1848,  then  removed  to  Olney  and  lived 
here  until  his  death,  on  July  19,  1855.     Mrs.  St.  John  died  June  28, 
1851.      Matthew  M.  was  poorly  educated,  in  the  log  schoolhouses 
of  Indiana,  and  worked  on   his  fjither's  farm  until   his  nineteenth 
year,  when  he  went  to  the  West  on  horseback  and  alone.  He  arrived 
here  in  1846,  and  has  lived  in  this  place  ever  since.     He  worked  for 
his  board  and  schooling,  then  engaged  in  stock-raising  and  trapping. 
In  1848  he  leased  eighty  acres,  on  a  part  of  Avhich  the  Olney  Driving- 
Park  is  now  situated,  and  afterward  bought  the  same.    He  has  lived 
upon  this  place  ever  since,  but  has  added  more  land  from  time  to 
time  until  his  farm  consists  of  1,200  acres,  in  Jasper  and  this  coimty. 
He  also  owns  valuable  residence  property  in   this  city.     From  1854 
to  1861,  he  was  traveling  purchasing  agent  for  the   American  Fur 
Company,  in  Southern  Illinois.     From  1859  to  1868,  he  was  engaged 
in  butchering,  and  also  in  shipping  stock,  and  for  the  past  six  years 
in  the  pump  business.     He  has  served  two  years  as  Sheriff  of  the 
county,  having   been  elected  in  18(58,  and  was  Marshal  of  tlie  city. 
He  also  followed  the  livery  business.     Mr.  St.  John  has  been  married 
three  times.     On  March  21,  1847,  he  married  Phenicia  Cobleigh,  of 
Vermont.      To  this   union  succeeded  one  daughter,  Emeline  (now 
Mrs.  George  Glossbrenner),  Mrs.  St.  John  died  August  25,  1855, 
and  Mr.  St  John  married,  on  October  23,  1856,  Emeline  D.  Cralle,of 
Posey  County,  Ind.     Three  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom 
one,  Mary  (Fleming),  is  living.     Mrs.    St.  John  died  May  27,  1863. 
For  his  third  wife  Mr.  St.  John  married  Mariah  L.  Cralle,   also  of 
Posey  County,  on   April   10,  1864.     Five  children  bless   the   last 


OLNEY   CITY  AND   TOWNSHIP.  775 

union.  He  is  a  member  of  all  the  Masonic  bodies  in  Olney,  viz.:  A. 
F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  A.  M.,  R.  &  S.  M.,  and  K.  T.  Our  subject  is  a  brother 
of  Gov.  J.  P.  St.  John,  of  Kansas,  and  his  mother  was  second 
cousin  to  John  Q.  Adams.  Mr.  St.  John  is  a  Republican,  an  old 
settler,  and  a  respected  citizen  of  the  county. 

HENRY  C.  SANDS,  l)reeder  and  trainer  of  trottino-  and  pac- 
ing horses,  and  owner  of  "Meadow  13rook "  stock  and  training 
farm,  near  Olney,  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  111.,  October  31, 
1848,  and  is  the  elder  of  two  living  children  "born  to  Elbert  and 
Susan  A.  (Gadd)  Sands,  natives  of  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  and  Mary- 
land, respectively,  and  of  Scotch  and  English  descent.  Elbert  and 
his  brother  Avere  showmen  when  very  young,  being  accrobats  and 
wire-walkers,  and  Elbert  was  engaged  in  various  companies  for 
more  than  twenty  years.  Mr.  Sands  was  the  first  bareback  rider  in 
the  United  States.  He  retired  in  1843,  and  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  18(30,  then  went  to  New  York  City,  and  followed  the  real 
estate  business.  In  1865  he  came  to  Olney,  and  followed  the  same 
imtil  1880,  at  which  time  he  retired  from  'business,  but  still  lives 
here.  Henry  C.  graduated  from  the  New  York  Academy,  in  1866. 
In  1863  he  was  employed  in  the  United  States  secret  service  for  two 
or  three  months,  and  was  stationed  then  at  Richmond,  Va.  During 
the  last  of  his  academic  course  Mr.  Sands  read  law  with  Judg^ 
Cardja  and  J.  J.  Morrin,  of  New  York  City.  In  1866  he  came  to 
Olney,  studied  for  a  time,  and  in  1869  was  admitted  to  practice  law. 
He  practiced  here  until  1875,  when  he  began  his  present  l)usiness, 
and  breeds  fine  horses  very  extensively.  "  In  1879  he  bought  the 
"  Meadow  Brook "  stock  and  training  farm,  and  now  owns  some 
thirty  or  more  of  the  finest  lired  Hambletonian  and  Mambrino 
trotters  in  southern  Illinois.  Mr.  Sands  married,  in  1875,  Amelia 
T.  Hoover,  of  Olney,  111.  They  have  had  four  children,  of  whom 
three,  two  sous  and  a  daughter,  survive.  Mr.  Sands  belongs  to  the 
K.  of  P.,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Democratic  party. 

AMBROSE  SCHNEIDER,  book-keeper,  was  born  in  German 
Township,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  January  12,  1851,  and  is  the  second  of 
six  living  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Theresa  Schneider,  of  Ger- 
man ancestry.  Joseph  was  reared  and  married  in  Germany,  and 
followed  agriculture.  In  about  1847  or  184S  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  at  the  place  of  our  subject's  birth.  In  1853  he  went 
to  Saint  Marie,  Jasper  County,  and  followed  the  brewery  business 
until  1878,  when  Ambrose  took  charge  of  the  brewery  for  two  years. 
Joseph,  the  father,  was  in  mercantile  trade  and  saloon.  In  Ai'igust, 
1882,  he  visited  Germany,  and  returned  in  March,  1883,  to  Saint 
Marie,  and  is  now  a  grocer.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  Ambrose  received  a  good  common  school  and  academic 
education,  and  in  1874  he  engaged  in  the  saloon  business  at  Saint 
Marie  for  one  year.  He  then  came  to  Olney,  and  was  railroading 
for  a  time.  L\  February,  1877,  he  was  engaged  by  Scott  &  Brock- 
man  as  salesman,  and  then  as  book-keeper,  which  position  he 
still  holds.     Mr.  Schneider  was  a  tax-collector  three  terms  in  Jas- 


776  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES lilCHLAXD    COUNTY: 

per  County  and  two  in  Richland.  He  Avas  married  in  October, 
1874,  to  Anna  B.  Brocknian,  who  died  on  January  1(3,  l-STG,  leaving 
one  child — Edith  L.,  and  departing  in  the  Catholic  taith.  In  Octo^ 
bar,  1878,  Mr.  Schneider  married  Caroline  Brocknian,  sister  of  his 
first  wife.  Two  children  bless  this  union — Anna  and  Caroline. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schneider  are  faithful  communicants  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  He  belongs  to  Olney  Branch,  No.  173,  C  K.  of  A.,  being 
one  of  the  first  members.  He  belonged  originally  to  Branch  No. 
50,  at  Trenton,  111. 

G.  SCHXEPPER  was  born  in  Baden-Baden,  Germany,  IVIarch 
2(5, 1836.  He  served  in  the  war  in  1848-41),  in  his  native  country, 
and  was  in  many  of  the  hardest-fought  battles.  In  1854  he  came 
to  America,  and  first  settled  at  Evansville,  In  d.,  where  he  remained 
two  years.  In  18.58  he  moved  to  Clay  County,  111.,  where  he 
began  farming,  and  by  hard  work  he  has  come  in  possession  of  a  fine 
farm  of  2(J0  acres  in  that  county,  and  forty  acres  in  Jasper  County, 
although  he  has  at  times  worked  for  wages  as  low  as  thirty  cents 
per  day.  He  married,  in  his  native  country,  Anna  A.  Martin,  born 
in  1838  ;  she  died  at  Lanesville,  Ind.,  in  1860  ;  she  was  the  mother 
of  four  children— Frederick,  John,  Elizabeth  and  Gottfried  (de- 
ceased). He  next  married,  in  1862,  Margaret  Rhuppert,  born  in 
Germany,  in  1838.  By  this  union  there  were  born  six  children — 
Charles,  Barbara,  Louis,  Henry,  Lena  and  Maggie.  Mr.  Schnepper 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.,  Lod^e  162,  at  Noble  ;  also  of  Olney 
Lodo-e,  141,  of  Masonry,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  SCHWEBEL,  farmer,  was  born  August  28,  1838,  in 
Prussia,  and  there  he  followed  teamino^ ;  in  1858  he  came  to  New 
Jersey,  there  worked  at  the  blacksmiths'  trade,  and  in  1861  he 
moved  to  Olney,  following  his  trade  about  four  years,  and  then 
opened  a  grocery,  and,  with  the  exception  of  six  years,  continued 
this  business  till  1883,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  a  farm 
whicli  he  owns,  consisting  of  seventy-four  acres,  which  joins  the 
corporation.  He  also  owns  two  store  buildings  in  Olney.  He  was 
married,  in  1861,  to  Minnie  Boliren,  Avho  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
and  at  the  age  of  eleven  she  came   with  her  parents  to  Richland 

County.  .      ^       ^      A 

DAVID  SCOTT,  Mayor  of  Olney,  was  born  in  County  Ar- 
mairh,  Ireland,  February  7,  1833,  and  is  one  of  nine  children  born 
to  James  and  Jane  (Lyster)  Scott,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  James 
Scott  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  land,  where  he  learned 
the  carriaire  makers'  trade,  and  followed  the  same  until  1847,  when 
he  emiii-rated  to  the  United  States,  first  settling  in  New  York  City, 
wliere  "he  was  employed  at  his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1850,  when  he 
removed  to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.  Here  he  continued  to  folloAV  his 
trade  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1857.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Couirreo-ational  Church,  and  Avas  also  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Masonic  Fraternity,  having  advanced  to  the  degree  of  Knight 
Templar.  David  Scott  received  a  fair  education  in  Indand.  Soon 
after  the  arrival  of  the  family  in  the  United  States,  he  clerked  in  a 


OLNEY    CITY    AM)    TOWNSHIP.  tit 

dry  goods  store  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  for  three 
years,  when  he  was  eniployod  in  a  store  at  Terre  Haute  for  a  time. 
In  18S1  he  went  to  Newton,  111.,  where  he  worked  in  the  same 
capacity  in  a  store  there  for  some  five  years,  when  he  opened  a 
general  store  for  himself  at  the  same  place,  and  remained  there 
until  the  spring  of  1(S()2,  when  he  went  into  the  army.  He  Avas  a 
sutler,  and  served  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  May, 
18GG,  he  came  to  Ohiey,  and  engaged  again  in  the  general  mercan- 
tile business,  which  he  has  continued  with  excellent  success  ever 
since.  For  a  time  the  firm  name  was  D.  Scott  &  Co.,  but  since 
1875  the  firm  name  has  been  Scott  &  lirockman.  Mi\  S<'ott  was 
married,  April  IG,  1856,  to  Mary  E.  Harris,  a  native  of  Jasper 
County,  111.  To  this  miion  were  born  six  children,  two  of  whom 
are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Scott  died  January  31,  18()8.  Mr.  Scott  next 
married,  January  4,  1881,  Mrs.  Lizzie  (Clul)b)  McLean,  a  native  of 
this  couiitv.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Conareoational  Church.  In 
April,  1883,  ^Ir.  Scott  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Gluey,  and 
still  holds  that  office.  He  is  a  member  of  Olnev  Lodge,  No.  140, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  Gluey  Lodge,  A.  G.  U.  W. 

AAKGX  SHAW,  of  Gluey,  was  born  in  Grange  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1811  ;  he  was  educated  at  Montgonu^ry  Academy,  Ne^v  York, 
and  subsecpiently  studied  law  with  .Judge  jVIorrell  at  Goshen.  In 
1 833  he  removed  to  Lawrence  Count v.  111.  He  Avas  a  delecfate  to 
the  first  Internal  Improvement  Convention  of  Illinois  ;  was  elected 
State's  Attorney  by  the  Legislature  of  Illinois  ;  was  three  times  a 
member  of  the  Illinois  State  Legislature  ;  was  elected  Circuit 
Judge  of  the  Fourth  Judicial  District  of  Illinois,  and  served  six 
years  ;  was  elected  to  the  Thirty-Fifth  Congress,  and  was  elected 
to  the  Forty- Eighth  Congress,  as  a  Democrat,  receiving  14,r)")7  votes 
against  13,<)89  votes  for  Green,  Republican,  471  votes  for  Turney, 
Prohibitionist,  and  129  scattering.  The  Sixteenth  Congressional 
District  of  Illinois,  of  which  hv.  is  the  present  lieprcsentative,  con- 
sists of  the  counties  of  Clai'k,  Clay,  Crawford,  Cumberland,  Ed- 
wards, Jasper,  Lawrence,  Ilichlaud,  Wabash  and  Wayne. 

PARMEXAS  SHAW,  jeweler,  was  born  in  Alleghany  County, 
Md.,  on  June  22,  1822,  being  one  of  the  ten  children  born  to  John 
and  Chai-ity  (Ricketts)  Shaw,  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  English 
and  Scotch  descent  respectively.  .lolm  was  brought  \\[)  in  Mary- 
land, there  married,  and  there  farmed  until  1832,  in  which  year  h(^ 
came  to  Knox  Comity,  Ghio.  Here  he  Avas  engaged  in  farming  for 
some  time,  but  during  the  last  year  of  his  life  kept  a  hotel  at 
Danville.  He  died  on  August  2,  1842.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  more  than  forty  years,  and  Avas  a  soldier  of  1812.  Parmenas' 
education  was  not  A^ery  thorough,  and  at  sixti'cn  he  began  learning 
the  tailors'  trade,  at  Avhich  he  Avorked  for  tAvelve  years.  In  1850  he 
opened  a  jeAvelrv  store  at  Sarahsville,  Noble  Co.,  Ghio,  and  has 
been  enofa<>ed  in  that  business  since  that  time.  In  1852  Mr.  ShaAv 
came  to  Gluey,  and  opened  the  first  jeAvelry  store  here,  for  several 
years  combining  the   book  trade  Avith  it.     Gn  August  29,  1843,  he 

47 


778  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COL'XTV  : 

married,  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  \ancv  Morrison,  of  Enalisli- 
German  descent.  Mr.  Shaw  and  his  wito  have  been  for  more  than 
forty  years  consistent  members  of  the  ]MetlK)dist  P^piscopal  Cliurch, 
and  Mr.  Sha-\v  is  hiiihly  esteemed  and  respected. 

JOIIX  T.  SHAW,  liTocer,  was  born  in  Alleghany  County,  Md., 
May  IN,  1<S32,  and  is  the  youngest  of  ten  chihlren  born  to  John  and 
Charity  (Kicketts)  Shaw,*  both  natives  of  MaryLand,  and  of  Enijflish 
descent.     John  Shaw  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  State, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  ])ursuits  for  several  years.     In 
1833,  he  removed  to  Knox  County,  Ohio,  where  he  bought  a  larm, 
upon  which  he  resided  until  1839,  wlien  he  sold  the  tarm  and  removed 
to  Danville,  Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  August  2<S,"lS42.     Both  he  and  his  Avife 
were  members  of  the  Christian  Cliurch.     For  several  years  he  was  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  Knox  County,  Ohio.   John  T.  Shaw,  the  sub- 
ject, received  his  early  education  in    the  primitive  log  schoolhouse 
"of  the  early  day.     At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  went  to  fearn  the  har- 
ness-makers' trade,  serving  "an  apinvnticeship  of  three  years,  after 
which  he  followed  the  trade  at  various  places  in  Ohio  for  al)out  four 
years.     After  this  he  was  employed  in  his  l)rother's  boot,  shoe  and 
clothing  store,  at  Coshocton,  Ohio,  until  1857,  when  he  removed  to 
01ney,"lll.,  where  he  oi)ened  a  clothing  store,  but  sold  the  same 
about  one  year  afterward,  and  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade. 
In    18(50,  lie  entered   a  dry  goods  "store   as  a  salesman,  where  he 
remained  about  seventeen  j'ears.     lie  then  i-emoved   to   Casey,  lib, 
Avhere  he  had  the  management  of  a  general  store  for  two  years.     In 
the  spring  of  l.S8(),  he  returned  to  Olney,  where   he  was  employed 
for  a  time  in  a  dry  goods   store.     In  Decenil)er,  1881,  he  opened  a 
grocery  and  i)rovision  store  at  Olney,  where  he  has  since  been  doing 
a  good  business.     Mr.  Shaw  was  married  January  10,  18.')8,  to  Clara 
Beck,  daughter  of  Aaron  Beck,  one  of  the  i)i()neers  of  southern  Illi- 
nois.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaw,  seven  children  have  been  born,  only 
two  of  whom  are  living.     i\Ir.  Shaw  and  wife  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  church  he  has  held 
various  official   positions.     He  is  also  a  member  of  I.  O.  M.  A.,  and 
the  I.  O.  G.  T.     In  politics,  he  is  a    Ivepu))lican,  and  is  one  of  the 
enterprising  businessmen  of  the  countv. 

JOHN  H.  SHEPHERD,  City  Marshal,  was  born  in  :Mercer 
County,  Ohio,  July  23,  1843,  and  is  third  of  ten  children  born  to 
Henry  L.  and  Catherine  (Perry)  Shepherd,  natives  of  Maryland  and 
Ohio,  and  of  English  and  Irish  descent,  resi)ectively.  Henry  L.  was 
educated  in  Ohio,  and  when  a  young  man  moved  to  Mercer  County, 
where  he  afterward  married.  In  1^44,  he  went  to  AVarren  County, 
Ind.,  settling  n(>ar  Walnut  Grove,  where  he  entered  and  bought  120 
acres  of  wild  land,  and  improved  a  farm.  He  lived  there  until  the 
fall  of  1852;  then  sold  his  i)roperty,  came  to  Preston  Township, 
this  county,  and  bought  a  farm  of  1()()  acres,  known  as  the  Dickey 
Phillip's  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1S(;2,  Mr.  Shepherd  enlisted  in  Com- 
[)any  A,  Sixty-Third  Illinois  N'ohiiiteer    Infantry  and  was  soon  after 


OLNKY    CITY    AM)    TOWNSIlll'.  779 

nppointcd  Commissary  of  the  rciiimcnt.  After  the  siei>e  of  Vicksbm'g, 
in  which  he  took  part,  he  received  leave  of  absence,  but  died  on 
the  Avay  homo,  at  Memi)liis.  Sc'iitembor  U),  lf<iV.).  John  II.  was 
fairly  educated,  and  was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  attained 
the  ai>e  of  twenty-two  years.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  the  care 
of  the  family  devolved  upon  him,  and  in  18(55,  he  conmienced  farming 
for  himself  on  shares  in  this  county.  In  18(57, he  removed  to  Ulney, 
and  engaged  in  the  butcher  l)usiness  for  nine  years,  when  he  fol- 
lowed the  stock  business  until  the  winter  of  IH&2.  In  April,  1880, 
he  was  elected  Constable,  and  in  Ajiril,  1<S83,  was  made  ]\Iarshal  of 
the  city  of  Olney,  which  office  he  now  fills.  He  was  married  on 
dime  1.'),  isii,"),  to  Sai-jih  ]Mc^^'illiams,  of  this  county.  They  have 
had  six  children,  of  whom  five  survive.  Mr.  Shepherd  is  a  member 
of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  7(5,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  in  which  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Overseer  tAvo  terms.  He  has  been  Trustee  one  term  and  is  now 
Iveceiver.  In  ])olitics  he  is  a  Kei)ublican,  an  early  pioneer,  an  enter- 
prising and  valued  citi/en  of  the  citv. 

CHARLES  SIIULTZ  was  bon/in  Prussia,  June  28,  1838,  and  is 
the  youngest  of  ten  children  born  to  Christian  and  Dorothea  (IIoiiscl ) 
•Shult/,  l)()th  natives  of  Prussia.  Christian  Shultz  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Prussian  army  during  the  latter  part  of  the  Xapoleonic  wars, 
participating"  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  in  the  occu))ation  of 
Paris,  in  1813.  In  1852,  heemio-rated  with  his  familv  to  the  United 
States,  landing  at  New  Orleans.  He  died  of  cholera,  near  Memphis, 
Tenn.  Charles  Shultz,  our  subject,  received  a  fair  connnon  school 
education  in  his  native  land.  After  his  father's  death,  the  family 
settled  at  Evansville,  Ind.  In  1853,  our  subject  came  to  Olney,  111., 
where  he  was  em|)loyed  for  two  years  on  a  railroad.  In  the  fall  of 
18(51,  he  Avent  South,  in  the  capacity  of  sutler,  Avith  the  Thirty- 
Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  remaining  imtil  the  fall  of  18(53,  when  his 
stock  was  cai)tured  by  Gen.  A\'heeler's  command,  he  being  at  home 
at  the  time.  By  this  he  sustained  a  loss  of  $11,000.  In  18G4,  he 
came  back  to  Olney,  erected  a  store  building,  and  i)ut  in  a  stock  of 
groceries  and  jjrovisions  in  company  Avith  Mr.  A.  Klinsworth,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Shultz  tSc  KlinsAvorth.  Nine  months  later  the  firm 
Avas  dissolved.  ]\Ir.  Shultz  then  eniraii'ed  in  the  drv  goods  trade,  at 
Avhich  he  has  since  been  doing  a  good  l)usiness.  He  carries  a  large 
and  Avell  selected  stock  in  his  line,  amouutinii'  to  from  slO,000  to 
$20,000.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  grain  and  avooI  trade. 
His  annual  sales,  in  all  departments,  aAcrage  $75,000.  Mr.  Shultz 
Avas  one  of  the  city  Aldermen  for  foin*  y(>ars,  and  a  member  of  the 
County  Board  of  Supers  isors  for  three  years.  He  was  married,  in 
March  18(51,  to  Sarah  E.  Gaddey,  a  native  of  Lawrence  County,  111. 
Nine  children  Avere  born  to  them,  seven  of  Avhom  are  living.  Mr. 
Shultz  is  a  mend)er  of  Olney  Lodge,  No.  140,  A.  F.  c*c  A.  ^I.,  and 
also  of  Richland  Lodge,  No.  180,  L  O.  O.  F. 

HERMAN  IL  SHULTZ  was  born  in  Richland  County,  III., 
January  30,  1858,  and  is  the  only  living  child  born  to  Henry  and 
Fredricka    (Wisherop)    Shultz,  both   natives   of  Prussia.       Henry 


780  BIOGUAI'IIICAL    SKETCHES — KICHLAM)    COUNTY  : 

Shultz  was  a  soldier  in  the  German  army  tliree  years.  In  ls'y2,  lie 
emi^rrated  to  the  United  States,  tirst  settlinirat  p]vansville,  Ind.,  and 
afterward  bon^iit  IGU  aercs  of  wild  land  in  Edwards  Connty, 
111.  This  he  eonimeneed  to  improve,  bnt  soon  sold  ont  and  bonghta 
farm  in  Olney  Township,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  His  wife  died  May  l(i,  1S,")8.  Herman  II.  Shnltz,  the  sub- 
ject, received  a  sfood  common  school  education  in  youth.  At  the  aire 
of  seventeen  he  left  home  and  was  em})loyed  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm 
in  the  northern  part  of  Illinois  for  three  years.  He  then  returned 
to  Olney,  and  Avas  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  dry  2"<)ods  store  for 
some  eighteen  months.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  in  the  northern 
part  of  "the  States  for  two  years,  when  he  again  returned  to  Olney 
and  clerked  in  the  same  store  for  six  months.  In  April,  1S83,  he 
opened  a  grocery  and  provision  store,  at  Olney,  Avhere  he  is  doing  a 
flourishing  business.  He  was  married,  Octol)er  1(5,  1^71),  to  Lizzie 
E.  Black,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Two  children  have  blessed  their 
union.  Mr.  Shultz  is  a  mendjer  of  the  Lutheran,  and  Mrs.  Shultz  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.     In  jiolitics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

.MAJOR  HARRISON  M.  SPAIN,  real  estate  and  war  claim 
agent,  was  born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind..  Decend)er  24,  1^34,  and  is 
the  sixth  of  the  ten  children  born  "to  Archibald  and  Sarah  (Garwood) 
Spain,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  At  the  age 
of  fifteen,  in  1<S13,  Archibald  Si)ain  moved  with  his])arents  to  North 
Carolina,  and  two  years  later  to  Indiana  Territory,  settling  near 
Vincennes.  He  was  married  in  1819,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Gib- 
son County,  entered  land  and  resided  thereon  until  1<S()7,  when  he 
moved  to  Patoka,  same  county,  where  he  died,  October  ;>,  18(!;i.  in 
his  seventy-second  year.  Harrison  ^I.  Spain  remained  on  the  home 
fami  until  July,  IHi'rl,  when  hv  recruited  part  of  a  comi)any  for  the 
Sixty-Fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  afterward  Company  E, 
Eightieth  Indiana  Infantry,  of  which  he  was  connnissioned  Captain. 
InAjjril,  18(M,  he  Avas  appointed  Provost-^NIarshal  of  the  Second 
Division  (same  corps),  under  Gen.  II.  M.  Judah,  and  served  as  such 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  May  1,  186.'),  he  was  promoted  Major, 
and  under  that  title  was  mustered  out  in  June,  ISO"),  at  Salisbury,  N. 
C  During  his  service,  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.. 
Burnside's  East  Tennessee  campaign,  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  bat- 
tles of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  many  other  lesser  engage- 
ments. Atthebattleof  Franklin  the  ^Nlajor  <aptured  Capt.  W.  Wirt 
Thompson,  of  a  Mississippi  reginu'nt,  Avho  reluctantly  gave  up  his 
sword,  saying  that  he  would  nither  leave  his  dead  body  on  t  he  field  than 
surrender  it,  as  it  was  a  present  from  his  company  and  had  never  been 
dishonored.  The  Major  generously  promised  that  if  both  lived  until  the 
clos(?  of  the  Avar  he  Avouhl  return  the  sword.  In  1874,  Capt.  Thomp- 
son, having  been  electinl  a  member  of  the  Mississip])i  Legislature, 
wrot(!  the  Adjutant-Gcnei-al  of  Indiana  for  M:ijor  Spain's  address. 
A  correspondence  ensued,  and  in  February  or  March,  1874,  the 
promi.se  made  on  the  battle  field  Avas  fulfilled.  Just  before  he  Ava.s 
mustered  out  the  editorof  theSalis])ury  Ba))iier<xii\v  the^Iajor  a  very 


OLNEV    OITV    AM)   TOWNSIIII*. 


781 


lii«;li  compliment.  After  lii^  return  from  the  army,  the  Major 
on£r:i.£rt'<l  in  the  <h'n£r  trade  at  I'rineeton,  Gibson  Co.,  Ind.  In  187.), 
he  retired  from  the  driiii  business  and  has  sinee  been  enj^aged  as  a 
real  estate  and  war  claim  agent.  In  March,  1882,  he  came  to  Olney, 
III.,  where  he  still  resides."  The  Major  was  married  in  l)e<-ember, 
ISCC,  to  Mary  A.  Wallace,  a  native  of  Gibson  County,  Ind.  Three 
ciiildren  have  been  left  to  them,  one  son  and  two  dauirhters.  Major 
Spain  is  a  member  of  Olney  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  R.;  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  is  one  of  the  entcrprisin<>'  business  men  and  respected  citi- 
zens of  the  city  and  county. 

dOXAS  SPANGLKli,  farmer,  was  born  May  2'),  1817,  in 
Mirilin  County,  Penn.  When  two  years  of  age  his  parents  moved 
to  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  and  there  he  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm.  "llis  father  died  in  1814,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  In  1831> 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  cam<>  to  Ltiwrcncc  (now  Richland)  County. 
AVhenin  Ohio  he  learned  the  carpenters' trade  ;  this  business  he 
continued  here  about  twenty  years  ;  he  then  removed  to  his  present 
farm  of  seventy-one  acres,  located  within  the  city  limits  ;  he  also 
owns  440  acres" of  land  in  Preston  Township;  all  of  this  jn-operty 
he  has  ac((uired  by  hard  Avork  and  strict  attention  to  business.  He 
was  marricnl,  in  1841,  tolMiilora  E.  Barney,  a  native  of  Vermont,  by 
whom  he  has  had  five  children,  of  whom  there  are  living  one  son 
and  two  daughters.  His  son.  Nelson,  enlisted,  in  180;;,  in  the 
Sixteenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  was  soon  after  taken  prisoner,  and  con- 
fined in  Andersonville  prison,  where  he  died. 

ARCHH5AL1)  SPRING,  Sheriff  of  Richland  County,  III.,  was 
born  in  Kdwards  County,  October  28,  1839,  and  is  the  eighth  in  a 
famih-  of  nine  children  l")orn  to  Sydney  and  Hannah  (Prichard) 
Si)rinu-,  both  of  Enolish  nativity.  Sydney  was  well  educated.  In 
l.S2(J  iie  came  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  at  Albion,  Edwards 
Co.,  Ill-  He  Avas  the  first  naturalized  in  this  State.  He  soon  after 
married,  and  afterwards  started  a  nursery ;  the  first  in  the  State. 
He  was  Surveyor  of  Edwards  County,  and  held  office  for  many 
years.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  also  for  years.  Mr.  Spring  died  in 
1(879,  at  the  age  of  eiirhty  years,  in  the  communion  of  the  Epis- 
<-opal  Church. "  His  wife  also  belonged  to  the  Church.  Archibald 
received  an  ordinary  education,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  went 
into  a  drugstore  at  Grayville,  III.,  renuiining  one  year,  also  clerking 
in  a  dry  goods  store  two  years.  In  18.")8  he  came  to  Olney,  clerked 
for  three  years,  and  in  A^ril,  18(U,  enlisted  in  Comi)any  1),  Eighth 
Illinois  Iiifantry.  ]Mr.  Spring  served  for  three  months,  then  re- 
turned home,  and  in  August,  18(;2,  re-enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Eighty-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  made  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  in  Auirust,  18()3,  was  i)rom()ted  to  First  Lieutenant.  He  had 
command  of  his  company,  however,  during  most  of  the  war.  _  He 
participated  in  many  engjigements,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Spring-, 
field,  III.,  July  4,  1865.  '  lie  was  engaged  for  one  year,  here,  at  the; 
dry  goods  business,  and  in  LsGH  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Richland 
County.     Mr.  Si)ring  again  engaged   in  the  dry  goods  trade,  which 


782  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COL^'TY  : 

he  followed  for  eight  years,  and  in  l-ST-")  went  into  the  livery  bus- 
iness. He  was  nuide  Sheriti'  ao-ain  in  iy.s2,  and  is  tillino-  that  otHce 
now.  He  also  l)reeds  tine  stock,  and  oAvns  Xonnan  Enijlish  draft 
and  thorouirhbrcd  hoi-ses  and  Alderney  cattle,  beside  owning  th(! 
white  mare  "  ^laggie  "NVebb,"  a  noted  and  l)eautifnl  animal.  Mr. 
Spring  was  marrictl  on  November  23,  LS71,  to  Lillic  Klein  worth, 
of  Albion,  Edwards  Co.,  111.  The}^  have  had  four  children,  but  only 
two  are  living — Clyde  and  Ellti.  Mr.  Spring  is  a  member  of  the 
A.  O.  U.  AV.,"of  the  G.  A.  K.,and  in  politics  is  Kei)nblican. 

AVILLIAM  A.  STARTSMAN,  confectioner,  was  born  in  Olney, 
III.,  on  September  7,  1862,  and  is  the  oldest  of  three  children  born 
to  Luther  M.  and  Sarah  li.  (McWilliams)  Startsman,  the  former  a 
native  of  ^Maryland,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  were  of 
German  and  Scotch-English  descent  respectively.  When  a 
young  man  Luther  M.  Startsman  came  to  Olney,  Richland 
Co.,  111.,  where  he  was  married,  and  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  furniture  for  luany  years.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  civil  war  he  recruited  Company  D,  Eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  of  which  company  he  was  chosen  Cap- 
tain. He  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engage- 
ments until  the  fall  of  l'S(34,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  failing 
health.  After  his  return  from  the  army  he  resumed  the  furniture 
business  at  Olney,  continuing  the  same  until  18l)il,  when  he  removed 
to  Missouri,  and  from  thence  to  Kansas,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  October,  1873.  William  A.  Startsman, 
the  subject,  received  a  fair  education  at  the  connnon  and  graded 
schools  of  his  native  city.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  went  into  a 
drugstore,  at  Olney,  as  a  salesman,  remaining  two  and  a  half  years. 
After  this  he  was  employed  as  book-keeper  in  an  agricultural  store 
for  about  one  year.  In  1880  he  accepted  a  i)osition  as  traveling 
salesman  for  a  wholesale  )iotion  and  o'ents'  furnishini>"  house  in 
Saint  Paul,  Minn.,  and  continued  in  that  business  for  two  years. 
In  January,  1883,  he  returned  to  Olney,  and  engaged  in  the  nnisic 
business,  but  continued  it  only  a  few  months.  In  June.  1SS3,  he 
opened  a  confectionery  and  ice  cre;im  parlor,  on  Main  Street,  in 
comi)any  with  George  D.  Johnstone  and  George  F.  Wisshach, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Johnstone  &  Co.  Theirs  is  one  of  the  finest 
establishments  of  the  kind  in  southern  Illinois,  and  they  are  doing  a 
flourishing  business.  They  are  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  sale 
of  all  kinds  of  nmsical  instruuKMits.  During  the  tirst  eight  months 
of  1883  thev  sold  over  one  hundred  pianos  and  orij-ans. 

WILLIAM  STEWARD  was  hovn  February  8,  1813,  in  Gibson 
(^)unty,  Ind.,  and  at  the  age  often,  came  with  his  parents  to  LaAV- 
rence  (now  Richland)  C'ounty,  and  settled  two  miles  cast  of  Olney; 
there  he  lived  on  his  father's  farm  till  his  marriage  in  IS.'U,  to  Pris'- 
cilla  Bnllard,  also  born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind.;  they  then  moved  to 
their  ])reseut  farm  of  130  acres,  where  they  have  ever  since  lived, 
and  which  jjlace  is  one  of  the  old  landmarks  of  this  locality.  They 
have  a  family  of  three  children — Mary  M.,  Lucinda,  and  James  C. 


OLNEV    (ITV    AM)    TOWNSHIP.  783 

THOMAS  L.  STEWARD  was  born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind., 
Decenil)er  18,  1818.  At  tho  age  of  six  he  moved  with  liis  parents 
to  Lawrence  (now  Richland  (V)nntv)-  'I'hev  first  entered  eiirhtv- 
three  acres  of  hind  Avhere  his  house  is  now  situated,  aiul  were  anion*]^ 
the  earliest  settlers  of  the  county,  and  now  own  200  acres,  which 
are  well  improved,  with  a  coinfortabh;  house,  barn  and  other  out- 
buihliniis.  Mr.  StcAvard  has  held  many  important  offices,  both 
county  and  local;  he  was  one  of  the  tirst  Constal)les after  this  county 
was  divided  from  Lawrence,  and  served  about  twelve  years  ;  also 
part  of  this  time  was  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  held  the  office  of  County 
Treasurer  one  term,  and  ex-officio  Assessor.  He  was  afterwards 
elected  Sheriff,  holding-  this  office  four  years,  and  has  held  the  office 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace  almost  constantly.  He  married,  -January  26, 
1843,  Catharine  Stites,  of  Tennessee;  she  died  February  14,  1858,  aged 
thirty-tw'o,  the  mother  of  these  children — Alfred  J.,  Enoch  J.,  Levi  M., 
George  W.,  Melvina  D.,  Susan  C,  William  T.  (died  September  4, 
1879,  aged  thirty-two).  July  1.'),  18,")S,  Mr.  Steward  married  Mary 
A.  Smalley,  of  Ohio.  She  died  in  March,  1860,  aged  forty  years. 
She  bore  him  one  son — Solomon  P.  His  third  marriage,  November 
6,  18(;0,  Avas  to  ]Martha  Finley,  of  Ohio.  l)orn  June  22,"ls22.  They 
have  three  children — Eli  F.,  Jonathan  P.,  Addie  J.,  and  lost  Violet 
by  death,  in  infancy.  His  sons,  Alfred  J.,  Enoch  J.,  and  William  T., 
served  in  the  late  war. 

A.  J.  STEWARD  was  born  November  27, 1843,  in  Olney  Town- 
ship, and  here  reared  till  the  ])reaking  out  of  the  war;  he  then  en- 
listed in  Company  E,  Sixth  Illinois  Cavalry,  as  private,  was  pro- 
moted to  Conmiissary  Sergeant,  and  was  honondily  discharged 
November  5,  18G5.  He  j^articipated  in  the  ])attles  of  Grierson's 
raid,  siege  of  Port  Hudson,  battles  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  others.  He  then  returne<l  and  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  till  1867,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  seventy  acres;  he  now 
owns  140  acres,  mostly  improved.  He  Avas  married  Noveml)er  1, 
186G,  to  Emily  Craig,  who  was  born  in  l^awrence  County,  111.  They 
have  four  children— ^William  C.,  Eilgar  N.,  Agnes  G.  and  Arthur  R. 
Mr.  Steward  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

ROBERT  N.  STOTLER,  Su])(>rintendent  of  the  County  Schools 
and  cashier  of  the  First  National  P>ank,  was  born  in  Clinton  County, 
Ohio,  April  i-l,  18.")0,  and  is  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  nine  children 
bom  to  Isaac  and  Mary  A.  (Skimming)  Stotler,  natives  of  Alle- 
ghany County,  ]Md.,  and  of  Scotland,  and  of  German  and  Scotch 
descent,  respectiv(dy.  Isaac  Stotler  was  reared  and  married  in  his 
native  State.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  in  1<S3(!,  he  moved  to  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  imtil 
1858,  when  he  came  to  Preston 'I'ownshii),  in  this  county,  and  bought 
a  farm,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1S77.  lie  was  not  a 
member  of  the  church,  but  was  an  earnest  temi)erauce  man.  Robert 
N.  received  a  good  education  at  common  schools,  at  the  State  Nor- 
mal School  of  Illinois,  and  thc^  National  Normal  of  Lebanon,  (Jhio. 
He  was  ensraofed  from  18(;!i  mitil  issi  in  teachin«:  most  of  the  time. 


784  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCIIKS — RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

in  this  ;nul  Jasper  County.  In  ^^(Sl  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Cir- 
cuit Ch-rk  at  Olney,  and  held  this  position  until  May,  1S83,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  this 
place.  In  1877  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Superintendent 
of  Schools  in  this  county,  l)ut  was  defeated.  In  18S2  he  a2":iin  ran 
for  the  same  office,  was  successful,  and  still  holds  that  i)osition.  Mr. 
Stotler  is  a  member  of  Marmion  Lodire,  No.  .52.  K.  of  P.,  in  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  risins:  vounir  men  of  Kichland 
County. 

IION.  HENKY  STUDER,  retired,  was  l)()in  in  Switzer- 
land, March  1,  1823,  and  is  the  youngest  of  eight  children  of  Peter 
and  Margaret  (Ruby)  Studer,  natives  of  Switzerland.  Peter  lived 
in  his  native  land  during  his  lifetime  and  there  Avas  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural })ursuits.  He  died  in  April,  1843.  lie  was  in  the  French 
army  for  two  years,  being  one  of  the  Swiss  recruits,  in  the  army  of 
Napoleon  I,  and  during  the  famous  Russian  Campaign  in  Germany, 
he  was  a  sharp-shooter,  and  the  rifle  used  by  him  at  that  time  is  still 
in  the  posse^ssion  of  his  son.  He  and  wife  belonged  to  the  (jrerman 
Reformed  Church.  Henry  received  a  fair  education  and  during  his 
youth  was  engaged  in  agriculture  .and  teaming;  he  was  for  a 
while  a  guide  for  tourists  among  the  mountains,  and  in  December, 
1849.  came  across  the  Atlantic  to  New  Orleans.  He  then  camcdirectly 
to  what  is  now  German  Township,  in  this  county,  and  farmed  on 
shares  for  a  time,  then  went  to  Madison  County,  and  was  there  fore- 
man in  a  stave  and  cooper  shop  until  185.5.  ]\Ir.  Studer  then  worked 
at  the  coopers  trade,  at  l)utchering,  and  was  in  a  drug  store  and 
grocery  as  clerk,  continuing  in  the  grocery  and  drug  business  for 
four  years.  In  1861  he  (Milisted  as  a  member  of  J.  C.  Fremont's 
body  guard,  as  First  Lieutenant.  When  Gen.  Hunter  succeeded  in 
command,  he  was  mustered  out,  and  was  a])pointed  Deputy  Pro- 
vost-Marshal of  the  Thirteenth  District  of  Illinois,  He  also  at  the 
same  time  was  en<^a<>ed  in  the  wholesale  ^-rocery  trade  at  Olney,  and 
built  some  seven  or  eight  residences  in  the  city.  In  1878  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  Vienna  Exposition  by 
Governor  Hevcn'ago.  He  has  lived  retired  since.  He  was  for  two 
years  Street  C'ommissioncr,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  County  Sup- 
ervisors; City  Marshal  for  six  years;  and  also  Deputy  Slierilf  and 
City  Collector.  In  1882  he  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the 
State  Legislature  from  the  Forty-Fourth  District,  consisting  of  Rich- 
land, Clay,  Edwards  and  Wayne  counties,  then  receiving  a  large 
majority  over  other  candidates.  In  1847  Mr.  Studer  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  \'on  A  Imen,  of  Swiss  descent.  They  belouir  to  the  Ger- 
man Relonned  Church.  He  bcloniis  to  the  A.  F.  c^c  A.  M.,  R.  A.  M.. 
R.  <)c  S.  M.,  K.  T.,  and  of  Peoria' (Vmsistory  S.  P.  R.  S.  He  is  a 
stanch  Reimblican  and  ludped  organize  that  l^arty  in  1856. 

IIENRV  SWALLEN,  jH.,"was  born  in  the  Canton  Berne, 
Switzerland,  October  Ki,  1^^13,  and  is  the  oldest  of  three  children 
born  to  Henry  and  Anna  (Savior)  Swallen,  both  natives  of  Switzer- 
land.    Henry  Swallen,  Sr.,  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native 


OLNEY    C;iTV    AND    TOWxNiSHIl'.  78') 

land,  where  in  early  life  he  learned  the  cabinet  makers'  trade,  which 
he  followed  for  several  years.  For  some  t  welv(>  years  he  was  an 
officer  in  the  Swiss  army.  In  1821)  he  emiirratcd  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  the  United  States,  and  settled'  in  Stark  County,  Ohio. 
Here  he  boufrht  uninii)r()ved  land  and  suhseqncuitly  improved  a  farm, 
upon  which  he  resided  until  ISIKk  after  which  lie  made  his  home 
with  his  ehildren  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  l-STO.  Henry 
Swallen,  Jr.,  the  subject,  received  an  ordinary  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  land.  He  was  employed  on  his  fath- 
er's farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  then  on  various  public 
works  in  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  for  five  or  six  yeai-s.  In  I'S.il)  he 
cume  to  what  is  now  Preston  Township,  liichland  Co.  111.,  where 
he  entered  120  acres  of  land,  erected  a  loir  cabin,  and  subse(|uently 
improved  a  farm.  In  lS4r)  he  sold  this  farm  and  bouirht  another  in 
the  same  township,  where  he  resided  mitil  April,  l<S(;(),when  he  rented 
the  place  and  came  to  Olncy.  Here  he  was  eni::a_<ied  in  teaming  for 
some  seven  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  coal  trade,  and  has  con- 
tinued that  business  ever  since.  '  In  1881  he  formed  a  partnership 
w\th  William  Newal,  under  the  firm  name  of  Swallen  &  Co.  They 
are  the  most  extensive  coal,  wood,  and  grain  deaku's  in  the  city.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  Alderman  and  Street  Commissioner  of  the  city, 
und  was  also  a  member  of  th(?  County  Jioard  of  Supervisors.  Mr. 
Swallen  was  married  in  April;  18;)S."to  Mary  Mufley.  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  Eleven  children  were  l)orn  to  them,  only  six  of 
whom  are  living.  Both  Mr.  Swallen  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Evangelical  Association,  or  Albright  Church.  He  is  also  a  mend^cr 
of  Oiney  Lodge,  No.  ISO,  I.  O.  O'.  F.  In  i)oliticshe  is  a  Republican, 
and  is  one  of  the  old  j)ioneers  of  Richland  Countv- 

WILLIAM  A.  THOMPSON,  :\I.  D.,  wasboniin  Xew  Haven, 
Conn.,  April  <S,  184.5,  and  is  the  ninth  of  ten  children  born  to  Will- 
iam S.  and  Nancy  J.  (Eaton)  Thompson,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  They  were  of  English-Scotch 
und  lIoUand-French  descent,  respectively.  AVilliam  S.  Thompson, 
was  educatetl  and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  he  was  engaged 
for  many  years  in  the  manufacture  of  malleable  iron  and  hardware,  at 
Newark.  In  about  1.S40,  he  removed  to  New  Haven,  Conn.,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  same  line  of  business,  for  many  years.  In 
1879,  he  came  to  Olney,  111.,  and  has  since  made  his  home  with 
his  sou,  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  William  A.  Thompson,  the  sul>- 
ject,  receiv^'d  a  good  education  at  the  common  schools  and  at  Kns- 
sell's  Commercial  and  Collegiate  Institute,  ajid  Military  Academy,  of 
his  native  town,  which  is  a  preparatory  de})artment  of  Yale  Col- 
lege. At  the  age  of  twenty  he  went  into  his  father's  factory  as 
superintendent  ofthe  pattern-making  department,  where  he  remained 
several  years.  In  the  meantime  he  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  J.  T.  Halderman,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  in  18(57,  at- 
tended a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Starling  Medical  College.  He  still 
continued  the  hardware  business  for  several  years.  In  1874,  he  came 
to    Olney,  111.,  which    has    l)een    his   home  ever  since.     In  1878,  he 


786  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — KICHL.^.ND    COUNTY  : 

sradiiated  from  tlic  Ohio  Medical  (.'olleore,  of  Cincinnati,  after  a 
course  of  three  years.  Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  his  profes- 
sion at  Olney  with  signal  success.  The  Doctor  was  married,  1^69,  to 
Mar}'  L..  dauirhter  of  Rev.  Jesse  B.  Locke,  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky. 
To  this  union  was  born  one  daughter,  viz.:  Lula  J.  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son died  in  1870.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Chiu'ch.  The  Doctor  was  next  married  in  1n74,  toMary  L.  liidway,  a 
native  of  Olney.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union,  viz.:  Edna 
R.  and  Sarah  B.  Both  the  Doct(n-  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Ejiiscopal  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Fraternity,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  1*.  and  I.  O.  ^L  A.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican  and  one  of  the  prominent  professional  men  of  the 
citv. 

THOMAS  TIPPrr,  Circuit  Clerk,  was  born  in  this  county  on 
June  G,  1>'5L  and  is  the  sixth  of  seven  children  born  to  Matthew  L. 
and  Sarah  ( EUingsworth )  Tippit,  natives,  respectiveh',  of  Tennes-ee 
and  Ohio.  AVhen  three  years  old,  in  1820,  Matthew  L.  Avas  car- 
ried bv  his  parents  to  what  is  now  Edwards  Countv.  111.,  then  an 
unbroken  wilderness.  He  received  only  two  weeks  ot  schooling  m 
one  of  the  primitive  log  buildings  of  the  frontier.  When  he  was 
four  or  live  vears  old.  his  father  died,  and  a  few  vears  later  his  mother 
moved  to  Richland  County.  He  afterward  married  here,  and  here 
he  entered  some  1,000  acres  at  diftereut  times,  a  part  of  which  land 
he  finally  sold.  He  erected  a  log  cabin  and  made  improvements  on 
the  farm,  and  resided  in  the  same  place  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
September  lo,  1871.  At  this  time  he  owned  about  (JOO  or  700 
acres,  in  well-improved  farms.  Thomas  received  a  good  education 
and  was  emi)loyed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  when  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  a  small  farm  of 
fifty-seven  acres,  which  his  father  had  left  him.  This  farm  is  in  Olney 
Township,  and  to  this  he  has  added  from  time  to  time,  until  he  has 
140  acres  in  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Olney.  In  187r),  Mr.  Tii)pet  was 
the  Democratic  candidate  for  Circuit  Clerk  of  Richland  County,but 
was  defeated.  In  the  followinsr  vetir  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors.  In  January,  ISSO,  Mr.  Tippit  was  api)ointed 
Circuit  Clerk  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  was 
elected  to  the  office,  and  still  holds  that  position.  ^Ir.  Tippit  was 
married  on  March  lo,  1877,  to  Eva  Lc^af,  a  native  of  Richland  County. 
Three  children  bless  this  marriage,  viz.:  George  M.,  Mabel  A.  and 
Albert.  Mr.  Tippit  is  a  member  of  Olney  Lodge.  \o.  140,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  Richland  Chapter,  No.  8^,  R.  A.  M.,  and  (Jlney  Council,  No. 
5,),  R.  &  S.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  the  countv. 

GUSTAVE  H.  B.  TOLLE.  special  agent  for  the  Masonic  Benev- 
olent Association  of  Illinois,  was  born  in  Hanover.  Germany.  Octo- 
ber 2(1,  1S40,  and  is  the  youngest  of  six  children  born  to  Georire  H. 
W.  and  Louise  (V^eerkampj  Tolle,  natives  of  Germany.  The  father 
was  in  the  civil  service  of  the  government  of  Hanover,  and  advanced 
until  he  became  Director  of  Civil  and  Ilvdranlic  Enirineeriiiir  for  the 


OLNEY    CITi    .\:ND   TOWNSHIP.  787 

district  oftlie  Kingdom.     He  died  in  18.59,  in  his  sixtv-^ixth  year,  in 
the  comnuinionof  tho  Lutheran  Church,  and  his  wife  died  in  that  of 
the  Kouian  Catholic  Church.      Mr.  Tolle  was  a  Mason  for  over  forty 
yeai-s.     Gustave  H.  B.  Avas  well  educated  in  the  land  of  his  birth, 
graduating  from  the  College  Georgianum  at  Hanover,  in  18.58.     In 
the   same  year   he    entered   the  Hanoverian  army,  and   after  three 
months'  service  was  commissioned  .Second  Lieutenant  and  assigned 
to  the  First  Regiment  of  Infantry,  or  Body  Guard  of  the  late  King 
George   V.     In  September,  1863/ he  resigiie^l  his  commission,  and 
atter  a  short  stay  in  Amsterdam,  returned  to  Germanv,  and   in  the 
latter  part  of  the  year  came  to  the  United  States.     He'  came  imme- 
diatelv  to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  and  was  employed  for  a  short  time  as 
shipping  clerk  in  a  wholesale  grocer}'  store.  ^  He  the;i  went  to  Yin- 
cennes.  and   was  again  engaged   as  "^salesman.     In    1869,  Mr.  Tolle 
cam€  to  Olney  and  opened^ji  "leather  store,  under  the  firm  name  of 
AVilliam  Baker  tVc  Company.     In    1^79,  he  closed  out  this  business, 
and  accepted  a  position  as  traveling  salesman  for  a  wholesale  leather 
house  in  Cincinnati,  continuing   in"  this   until    the   sprimj  of  1883, 
when  he  was  appointed  Special  Agent  for  the  :Masonic  Benevolent 
Association  of  Illinois.     In  September,  187.5,  iie  married  Hattie  R., 
dauirhter  of  the  late  Hon.  Horace  Hevward,  of  Olnev.     Thev  have 
two  sons,  George  H.  \V.  and  Gustave  H.  A.  .Mr.  Tolle  is  a  Lutheran, 
and  his  wife  a  Congregationalist.     He  belongs  to  the  A.  F.  t"c  A.  M., 
R.  A.  M.,  R.  «!c  S.  M.,  and  K.  T.,  Olney  Masonic  bodies,  of  the  Ohio 
Grand  Consistory,  of  Cincinnati,  S.  P.  R'.  S.  32ddea-.;  belon^^  to  both 
branches  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  A.  O.  U.  AV.     He  was  W.  M.,  of 
his  Lodge  in  l.s77,  D.  D.  G.  :M.,  in  1N7.s  and  18S3,  H.  P.  of  his  Chapter 
from  1879  to    18;s;J,  G.  M.  of  his  Council   from  1S78  until  the  pres- 
ent time.     Since   18s0,  he  has  l)een  G.  C  of  the  Grand   Council  of 
Illinois,  and  from  187.S  to  1881,  was  E.  C  of  his  Commandery;  in 
political  fialds,  he  is  under  the  Republican  colors,  and  is  a  prominent 
citizen  of  the  county. 

BERXHARD  E.  VUIGT,  merchant  Uiilor,  was  born  in  Prus- 
sia, April  27,  1857,  and  is  the  eighth  of  ten  children  born  to  Carl 
and  Frederike  (Muench)  Voigt,  Prussians.  He  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade.  In  1.S74.  he  emigrated  to  the  L^nited  States,  comino-  to 
Gluey.  He  soon  purchased  a  tarm  near  the  city,  and  he  and  his  "wife 
reside  here  and  are  adherents  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  Bern- 
hard  E.  received  a  good  education  in  Prussia.  At  fourteen  yeai-s  of 
age  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  tailors'  vocation,  and  served  three 
years.  He  was  then  a  Journeyman  in  Illinois,  Missouri,  Iowa  and 
Kansa^j.  After  the  arrival  of  the  family  to  this  countrv,  he  was  em- 
ployed by  a  firm  in  Olney  for  a  jDeriod  of  three  yciirs.  '  In  1880,  ^Ir. 
Voigt  returned  to  Olney,  and  went  into  business  for  himself.  He 
is  proprietor  of  the  only  merchant  tailoring  establishment  in  this 
place,  and  his  trade  is  excellent.  He  was  married.  April  27.  188(J, 
to  Adeline  A.  Fessel,  of  Wabash  County.  Two  daughters  bless  his 
marriage,  Clara  P.  and  Olga  A.  He  is'a  Republican",  and  a  rising 
man  in  every  respect. 


788  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — KICHLAND    COUXTi': 

WILLIAM  \'ON  ALLMEN&  SOX,  iKKirding  house  and  saloon. 
AVilliani  was  born  in  Switzerland,  March  ol,  1828,  and  is  third  child 
in  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  John  and  P^lizabeth  (lialmer) 
Von  Allmen,  natives  of  Switzerland.  John  was  educated  in  his 
native  land,  learned  the  shoemakers  trade,  and  followed  it  to  some 
extent  through  life.  He  was  engaged  some  in  farming,  and  during 
the  wars  of  Napoleon  I.  was  a  soldier  in  the  Swiss  army.  In  1851, 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  German  Township,  in  this 
county,  where  he  lived  until  death  claimed  him,  October,  1872.  He 
and  wife  were  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church.  AVilliara 
Von  Allmen  received  a  foir  education  in  his  native  land,  and  was 
apprenticed  to  the  cari)ent.ei"s'  trade,  and  in  1846  came  to  the  United 
States  in  company  Avith  his  employer.  They  worked  for  a  month  in 
New  Orleans,  and  finally,  William  came  up  the  river  to  Louisville, 
Ky.,  landing  with  only  $1.2.")  in  money.  He  w^orked  for  some  months 
in  a  dairy,  then  went  toTerre  Haute,  lud.,  was  employed  on  a  canal 
and  in  a  slavighter  house.  He  was  then  employed  in  various  ways  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  until  in  18.")7,  when  he  came 
to  German  Township,  farmed  for  five  years,  then  came  to01ney,and 
engaged  in  the  saloon  and  boarding  house  business.  He  was  married, 
in  18.')."),  to  ^Margaret  Rue,  a  native  of  New  Albany,  Ind.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  given  them,  seven  of  whom,  three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, are  living.  The  family  belongs  to  the  German  Reformed 
Church.  1  leiiry  Von  Allmen  is  oldest  of  the  ten  children  born  to  Wil- 
liam Von  Allmen.  and  was  born  June  11, 185(3.  He  received  an  excel- 
lent education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  ajiprenticed  to  the  gun- 
smiths' trade.  He  served  for  two  years  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Henry  Goedeke,  and  then  followed  the  trade  at  Fairfield  and  OIney 
for  some  three  years.  He  then  entered  the  saloon  business  with  his 
father,  remaining  there  some  three  years.  In  1882,  in  company  Avith 
C.  Eggler,  he  eniiaged  in  the  same  business,  and  since  then  has  con- 
tinuecrin  the  position.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  is  very  highly  esteemed  by  his 
associates. 

J.  C  VON  ALMEN,  dealer  in  lumber,  doors,  sash  and  blinds, 
Oliiey,  was  born  June  4, 1843,  in  Switzerhmd.  His  father  followed 
the  stone-mason  trade  till  1847,  when  he  emigrated  to  America  and 
located  in  Preston  Township,  where  he  now  lives,  engaged  in  tanning 
l^ursuits.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty  he  commenced  to  learn  the  coopers'  trade;  this  he 
worked  at  about  eighteen  months.  He  enlisted,  in  18154,  in  Company 
G,  One  Hundred  and Thirty-Sixlh  Illinois  Infantry,servedaboutsix 
months  and  returned  home.  He  then  continued  the  <'00])(M-s' trade 
during  that  winter;  the  following  spring  he  engaged  in  farming; 
this  he  continued  four  years.  In  the  sj)ring  of  18GH,  he  removed  to 
Olney  and  followed  the  car))enters'  trade  several  years;  in  187!>,  his 
present  Inisiness  was  established,  which  has  since  been  rapidly 
increasing,  the  transactions  running  from  $18,000  to  $20,000  a  year. 
He  was  married,  in  18G8,  to  MarvYelch,  who   was  born  in  Clark 


OLNEY    CITY    AND    TOWNSHll'. 


789 


County,  111.     This    union  hus  been  ])lcsso«l  with  thrco  sons  and  one 

dauoflitcr.  .    ,  .-« 

'GOTTT.IEB  WEISS,  hrick-niakcr,  was  l)oni  January  b,  l.s,>7, 
in  Olney.  lie  is  the  son  of  Gottlieb  Weiss,  who  was  born  in  Switz- 
erland and  there  lejirned  the  carpenters'  trade;  in  1.S4S,  he  emi- 
o-rated  to  America,  and  located  in  Olney;  here  he  died,  January  17, 
7880,  aired  tiftv-three  years.  On  eonrnvir  here  he  followed  1  lie  car- 
penters" trade;"  but  his'last  twenty  years  he  was  en  paired  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  brick.  Gottlieb,  the  siibjeet  of  this  sketch,  has  worked 
at  this  business  sinec  a  bov,  and  his  yard  turns  out  about  COO.OOO  iu 
a  season.  He  was  married  April  f),  188:5,  to  Rosa  Weiland,  w  ho  was 
born  in  Jetlerson  Citv,  Mo.  .        .     . 

GEOKGE  F.  WISSHACK,  confectioner,  was  born   m  Cniem- 
nati,  Ohio,  June  17, 18(;;},and  is  the  oldest  of  four  liviiii:- children  l)orn 
to  Adolph  G.  and  Matilda  (lianlev)  Wisshaek,  the  former  a  native 
of  Wnrtemburir,  Germanv,  and  the  latter  of  West  Viririnia,  but  of 
Enirli«h  d(>seent.     Adolph  G-  ^^'isshack   was  edueated   in  his  native 
land,  and  while  yet  a  younir  man  he  emiirrated  to  the  United  States, 
first  settlinir  at' Cincinnati,  then   removino-  to  Wheelinii-,   W.  Va., 
where  he  was  married.     He  soon  returned  to  Cincinnati,  then  opened 
a  iri-oeery  store  at  Covin«rton,  Ky.,  but  in  18S0  went  back  to  Wheel- 
ing, AV.  Va.,  Avhere  he  still  resides.     Georir(>  F.  AVisshack,  our  sub- 
ject, received  a  irood  common  school  and  academic  edneation  and  also 
took  a  commercial  course  at  Los  An,ir<'les,  Cal.     At  the  age  o|  eight 
years  he  went  into  a  stationery  and  confectionery  store  at  Coving- 
ton, Ky.,  as  an  errand  boy,  and  at  the  same  time  went  to  school.    In 
1877,  he  came  to  Olney,  111.,  where  he  was  emi)>loyed  ])art  of  the  lime 
in  his  uncle's  confectionery  store,  and  at  the  same  time  attended  school 
for  four  years.     In  18.S1  he  went  to  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  where  he  was 
employed  in  a  confectionery  for  eight  months,  taking  his  commercial 
course  at  niirht.     In  the  fall  of  1882  he  returned  to  Olney  and  weni 
into  a  druir  store  as  a  salesman,  remaining  nntil   June,   18,s;5,  when 
he,  in  conrpa"^  ^^'>th  George  L).  Johnstone  and    William  A.  Starts- 
man,  bought  the  confecti()nery  store  of  his  uncle,  where  they  are 
doins:  an  excellent  business.  . 

"JOIIX  M.  WILSON  was  the  first  olHcial  ot  Kichland  County, 
bein'-  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  (\)url  Jun(>  17,  1.S41,  whilst  the 
other  ofiicials  were  not  elected  until  the  first  ^londay  in  August  fol- 
loAvin^r;  he  was  born  in  Prince  William  County,  Virgiuia,  within 
two  iniles  of  Thoroughfare  Gaj).  at  the  old  Bull  Run  church,  on 
March  13,  1811.  His  father.  Jacob  Wilson,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
was  a  Pennsylvanian  ])y  birtii.  His  grandfather  Wilson  fought  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,\ind  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the 
massacre  of  Paoli.  His  uncle  Silas  fought  and  was  wounded  at  the 
battfe  of  Brandvwine.  His  tathcn-,  J.  Wilson,  was  at  Harpers  Ferry 
in  1708,  under  Col.  William  Washingt(m;  in  the  war  of  1812  served 
at  the  White  House,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Washington  and  Bal- 
timore. His  mother,  Margaret  King,  a  most  exemplary  woman,  was. 
by  her  mother's  side,  a  Kearney,  and  a  relation  of  Gen.  Fhil  Kear- 


790  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — HICHLAM)    COUNTY: 

noy,  who  av:is  a  soroiid  rousiii.  Tho  siibjoct  of  this  sketch  Avas  ono 
of  ten  children,  and  nntil  the  age  of  twelve  remained  at  the  phice  of 
his  birth  and  for  six  years  went  to  an  oUl  fieUl  school.  His  family, 
in  1824,  moved  to  Jett'erson  Connty,  Va.,  within  eight  miles  of  Har- 
})er's  Ferry,  Avliere  they  farmed.  On  Octolier  27,  1>«2S,  they  left  \\i- 
ginia  for  Illinois,  and  on  the  17th  of  December  following,  l)v  steady 
traveling  in  a  fonr-horse  wagon  reached  their  destination,  A\'hite 
County,  and  at  the  home  of  Chief  Justice  AVilliam  AVilson,  a  cousin, 
where  they  passed  the  winter.  In  the  spring  of  1S29,  removing  to 
the  8killit  Fork,  eight  miles  northwest  of  Carnii.  where  they  engaged 
in  stock-raisini>:  and  farmino-,  the  nearest  neiahbor  bcinij- three  mile 
distant;  being  dense  woods;  Avolves  plenty,  with  deer  and  turkeys 
by  the  hundred,  and  a  fcAV  bear  and  panthers.  On  more  than  one 
occasion  John  iSI.  was  treed  by  Avolves.  In  1S82,  being  then  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  John  volimtecred  in  service  as  Second  Sergeant  in 
the  Black  Hawk  campaign,  in  Capfciin  Thomas'  company;  Colonel 
Enbank's  regiment  of  White  County  volunteers,  forming  part  of 
General  Posey's  brigade.  He  served  through  the  campaign  and  Avas 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Rock  River.  Returning  home  he  resumed 
the  occupation  of  farming,  and  continued  that  occupation — except  at 
short  intervals — after  the  death  of  his  elder  brother,  William;  with 
his  brother,  -James,  purchased  a  one-half  section  farm  southwest  of 
Carmi,  Avlun'c,  with  his  parents,  two  brothers  and  three  sisters,  he 
resided  until  1(S39,  when  he  surrendered  his  interest  in  the  farm  and 
stock  to  his  fiimily  and  studied  law  at  Carmi  with  E.  B.  Webb;  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  184<S,  and  in  the  first  great  Whig  demonstra- 
tion at  Carmi  in  the  opening  of  the  celelmited  Harrison  campaign  in 
1<S40,  acted  as  one  of  the  Marshals  of  the  day.  Being  api)oint<.'d 
Circuit  Clerk  of  Richland  Coimty,  at  the  age  of  thirty,  on  the  5th 
day  of  July,  he  came  to  the  County  of  Richland  where  Olney  now 
stands.  On  the  31st  of  March  he  was  married  to  Harriet  A.  Pow- 
ers, whose  family  had,  the  preceding  fall,  moved  from  Vermont.  ^Ir. 
Wilson  soon  became  prominent  as  a  lawyer  and  a  \Mng  leader,  and 
so  contimjcd  until  the  disorganization  of  the  Whig  party;  when  he 
took  a  like  ])osi1ion  in  the  Democratic  i)arty  until  1  SCO.  when  he 
took  sides  with  the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  lias  ever  since 
acted  on  party  (luestions.  In  1847  he  resigne<l  his  position  as  Clerk, 
and  devoted  his  attention  to  the  practice  of  hiAV,  in  which  he  was 
thought  invincible.  In  1849  he  bought  of  Daniel  Cox  his  newspaper 
office;  an  old  Raniage  press — the  first  used  in  Vincennes — and  on 
which  the  first  paper  in  Olney  (the  JV^oo.s)  was  jjrinted.  For  sev- 
eral years  he  ])ublished  a  paper  and  during  the  first  year  of  the  Re- 
bellion jmldislied  two — one  in  Vincennes,  and  one.  tlie  first,  in  Flora. 
H(!  also  published  a  jjajier  in  Salem  (the  Ga::<'ff<-)  where,  for  a  short 
period,  he  resided.  Mr.  \\'ils()n  suggested  the  incorporation  of  Olney 
as  a  village  in  1848,  and  drew  up  the  ordinances.  During  the  Rebel- 
lion betook  a  most  active  part,  and  by  a  sugo'cstion  in  his  paper  at 
Vincennes  advising  volunteers  on  furlough  to  ])ractice  ]>istol  firing 
at  the  butteriuit  breast-pins  of  the  rebel  sym[)athizers  in  that  city^ 


<.)Lm:v  (vn    and   l()^v^.snI^.  l\)l 

removed  in  a  single  day  all  tiiose  secesh  ornanient.s.  When  the  O. 
&  M.  Railway  was  first  surveyed,  a  <lireet  line  ran  near  Fairview, 
seven  miles  south  of  Olnev.  The  ().  tSc  ^I.  Railroad  conipany,  as  a 
condition  to  come  to  Olney,  re(|uire<l  a  suhsidy  tVoin  the  county  of 
$r)0,00(».  As  editor  of  the  only  paper  in  Olney  and  the  most  active 
l)olitieian  and  best  known  attorney',  Mr.  AVilson  at  once  liegan  an 
active  canvass  of  the  county,  auil  with  the  aid  of  Jolm  \\'olf.  Will- 
iam iShelln-  and  some  othei-s.  had  the  5^50,000  voted,  and  though 
never  called  for,  it  was  the  prime  agent  in  bringing  that  road  to 
Olney  and  making  it  Avhat  it  is.  In  ISdT  Mr.  Wilson  suggested  the 
incorporation  of  Olney  as  a  city,  drew  up  the  chart(M- and  ordinances, 
and  by  the  aid  of  Dr.  liowyer.  had  it  i)assed  by  the  Legislature,  and 
after  an  a<*tive  canvass  against  most  bitter  oi)position,  iuid  itadojjted 
by  the  ])eople,  and  was  elected  the  first  Mayor  and  at  once  com- 
menced a  system  of  city  im])rovemeuts.  In  1><7."5  ]\Ir.  Wilson  Avas  again 
clectetl  Mayor,  and  by  his  casting  vote  gave  Olney  its  fine  brick  ])ave- 
ments,  lighted  the  city  and  made  it  what  it  is — the  ])est  i)aved  city 
in  Illinois.  Mr.  Wilson's  last  fin-ty  years  of  his  life  has  l>een  largely 
devoted  to  public  interests  and  ])ublic  good,  and  he  is  now,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-two.  ('ity  Attorney,  activi^ly  engaged  in  the  city  interests 
of  his  beloved  Oine}',  of  which  lie  claims  to  ])e  the  first  citizen;  hav- 
ing been  ap})ointed  Clerk  before  the  county -seat  was  located,  and 
Avhen  located  on  Lilly  tVc  Barney's  donation,  there  being  no  one  liv- 
ing on  it.  ^Ir.  A\'ilson  is  as  activ(>  as  most  men  at  fifty,  Avith  mind 
and  memory  wholly  unimpaired;  perfectly  familiar  with  the  Avorld's 
history  and  geography,  lie  has  not  an  enemy,  and  every  nnin,  ' 
woman  and  child  in  Olney  ever  greets  Avith  a  smile  and  kind  Avord, 
"  Uncle  Jolm."  ]Mr.  AVilson  Avas  for  nine  Acars  stock  ai>-ent  and 
attorney  for  the  O.  &  M.  Railway.  After  the  G.  t^-  M.  Railway  had 
been  chartered  for  ten  years  and  almost  defunct,  Mr.  Wilson,  in  18(57, 
suggested  the  voting  of  a  subsidy.  His  Avife  is  a  cousin  of  the  cele- 
l)rated  sculptor,  lliram  Poav(m's,  and  a  sister  of  Fi'ank  PoAvers,  one 
of  Olney's  most  energetic  citizens,  and  is  herself  a  most  (>xemplary 
Christian  Avorker.  Mr.  AVilson  has  five  children  living — John  F^ 
Phil,  Alice  (nuirried  to  William  Ferriman).  Ida  and  Ada.  tAvins,  at 
home  Avith  their  p,arents. 

ROBERT  B.  WITCIIKR,  attorney  and  master  in  chancery,  Avas 
born  in  Upshur  County,  Texas,  A])ril  1.'),  IS,'),"),  and  is  one  of  three 
living  (hildren  born  to  Benjamin  AV.  and  Sarah  (Bledsoe)  M'itcher, 
natives  of  Georgia.  Benjamin  AN',  married  in  his  native  8t;ite 
Avliere  he  Avas  l)rought  up.  and  some  three  yeai"s  after  removed  to 
Texas  and  engage<l  in  cotton  phmting  until  he  died,  Se[)tend)er  H, 
18(33.  He  Avas  a  Mason.  His  Avife  died  flanuaiw  M,  l<S()0,a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  Robert  B.  Avas  Avell  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Drury  College  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  graduating  there 
in  l'"S7().  At  that  time  prizes  Avere  ollered  for  oratory,  and  he  drcAV 
the  fii'st  prize.  After  graduation,  Mr.  AN'itcher  Avent  to  Saint  Josej)h, 
Mo.,  where  he  Avas  employed  on  the  Saint  Joseph  Gazcffp,  the  old- 
est paper  in  the  State.     In   April.    1877,    he   came  to   Olney,   and 


7tl2  BIOGRVIMIK  AL    SKKTCHES — RICHI.AM)    COUNTY  : 

entered  the  office  of  James  P.  Robinson  as  a  law  stndent,  and  in 
187ii  was  admitted  to  practice  by  tlie  Supreme  Bench,  in  the  courts 
of  Illinois.  He  has  since  been  practicing-  here  with  "-ood  success. 
In  January,  1H.S2,  Mr.  AVitcher  was  appointed  Master  in  Chancery 
for  Richland  County,  and  was  reappointed  in  188H,  and  is  .s^till  till- 
ins"  that  otlice.  lie  "belonirs  to  Mannion  Lodire,  No.  .")2,  K.  of  P..  and 
is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  WOLF  was  born  in   Cuml)erland   County,   Penn.,  Jan- 
uary 31,  1817,  and  is  the  third  of  ten  chihlren  born  to  John  and 
Mary  (Hawk)   AVolf.  both  natives  of  the  same  county  and()f  Ger- 
man" descent.     John,  senior,  was  educated  and  married  in    his  native 
State  when,  in  18;)1.  he  removed  to  Richland  (now  Ashland)  Comity, 
Ohio.      He   bouirht    a  farm   and    resided  there  until  his  death    in 
April,  183.').     Mr.  Wolf  and  wife  were  both  membcn-s  of  th(^  Lutheran 
Church.     She  lived  upon  the  old  ])lace  until  18,')0,  Avhen  slu-  went  to 
live  with  her  «hildren.     She  died  in    February,  186(5,  livinir  at  the 
time  with  her  dauifhter  in  Rome,  in  this  county.      John  Wolf.  Jr., 
received  a  common  school  education,  and   after  his   fathers  death, 
worked  npon  th(>  old  jdace  until  18;')i),  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
entered  40U  acres  of  land  in  the  northern  part  of  Suofar  Ridge  Prai- 
rie, in  what  is  now   Madison  Township  in  Richland  Comity.      He 
erected  a  rude  log  cabin  and  improved  a  farm,  then,  in  1843,  built  a 
two-story  frame  dwelling;  the  first  in  the  neigh])orhood.       In    1845 
and  184(5  while  employed  at  farm  work,  he  studied  mathematics  and 
.surveying.     Mr.  Wolf  was  ap])ointcd  County  Assessor  and  in    184.") 
took  the'cen.sus  of  this  comity.     He  has  also  been  De})uty  Surveyor, 
and  was  elected  in  184(5  County  Surveyor,  being  re-elected  in   1848. 
In  184!l  Mr.  Wolf,  in  company  with  eleven  others  made  the    over- 
land   journey   to  California,  experiencing  great  hardships   in    the 
nndertakinir.'      Tliev  arrived  in  Sacramento  August  8,  1841>.      Mr. 
Wolf  returned  to  this  county  in  July.  18.')(),  after  having  some  suc- 
cess in  work  at  the  mines.    *In  18.")f  he  was   again  elected   County 
Surveyor,  and  in  18:);5  removed  to  Olney   where  he   lias   lived   ever 
since. '^  In  18;').')  he  was  elected  Sherifi'  of  the  county,  and  in   1857 
was   made   to   transcribe   records    of   lands   relating   to     Richland 
County,  from  records  of  Clay  and  Lawrence  counties.      In  18;)tl  was 
made  'Circuit    Clerk    to  fill  "a    vacancy,  was  elected  in  18(5()  to  that 
office  for  four  vears,  in  1857  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  (iiayville 
&  Mattoou  RaUroad.  now  the  P.,  D.  c^  K.  Railway,  and   held   this 
office  for  more  than  twenty  years.     From  18(55  until  1871  ^Ir.  Wolf 
followed  mercantile  pursuit.^;  since  that   he  has    not    been   actively 
ena-Jiired  in  l)usiness.      He  is  a  Director  of  the  Fii'st  National   liank, 
which  he  helped  to  organize  in    18(;(5.  and    in   which  he   is  a  stock- 
holder.     Mr.  NN'olf  has  l)een   twice   married.       In    18:57    he    wedded 
Margaret  Snively,  of  .Vshland  County.       To  this  union    were    l>orn 
three  children,  all  now  living.     Mrs.  Wolf  died  on  ]May  15.  1878,  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.       Mr.   Wolf  was  next 
married  on  May   Id,  1880,  to  Mary    K.  Rut/.,   of   ^M  on  roe   County, 
Penii..  and  who'is  a  devout    Lutheran.     Mr.    Wolf  ha.s  since   early 


OLNEV    CITV    AND    TOW.N.SIIIP.  TJ'A 

youth  hcen  a  member  of  thcMetlioilist  Episcopal  Church,  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  after  ])assin;i:  '^  very  eventful  ami  active  life,  is  now 
respected  and  appreciated  l)y  the  people,  as  a  promineul  cili/en  and 
])ioneer  of  this  eountv  should  he. 

HEXKV  ,].  H.  WRIGHT,  M.  D.,  was  horn  in  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  Mareli  18,  iSol,  and  is  theyounijest  of  the  five  children  born 
to  Ephraim  and  Polly  (Buckley)  Wright,  natives,  respectively,  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Xew  York.  The  fathei-  of  Ephraim  was  for  about 
twenty-one  years  Judije  of  the  Common  l*Ieas  Court  of  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  and  from  early  years  until  his  death,  in  June,  lyiKi, 
Ephraim  was  an  itinerant  minister  of  the  Gospel.  Henry  ,1.  IJ. 
Wright  was  reiired  on  the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  old. 
when  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  8.  .).  V'oris,  of  Edin- 
burgh, Ind.  He  took  his  tii-st  course  of  lectures  at  the  Ohio  Medi- 
cal College,  and  graduated  from  the  C'incimiati  College  of  Medicine 
and  Surgery  in  ]>>7.').  From  1<S7(!  until  the  fall  of  ISSO,  he  prac- 
ticed at  Oilin,  111.,  and  then  attended  Jelferson  Medical  College  in 
Philadeli)hia,  from  which  he  graduated  the  next  spring  and  came  to 
Olney,  where  he  has  since  been  in  successful  ])ractice,  m  partnei-shi[) 
w^ith  Dr.  Johnson.  Both  he  and  his  j)artner  hold  a])pointments  as 
examining  surgeons  of  the  Pension  Department.  In  October,  l.s7">. 
Dr.  Wright  married  Kate  E.  Phillips,  a  native  of  Switzerland 
County,  Ind..  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  daughter.  Han- 
nah L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AVright  are  members  of  the  ^h'thodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Rei)ublicaii. 

W.  M.  WYATT,  grocer,  was  boin  February  1.'},  l.s.')7.  in 
Edwards  County,  111.;  he  is  the  son  of  Ballard  S.  and  Avalina 
(Compton)  Wyatt,  the  f(n-mer  a  native  of  Ritchie  County,  W.  Va., 
the  latter  a  native  of  Wabash  County,  III.  In  1^")."^  his  father 
emigrated  to  Edwards  County  and  there  engjiged  in  farminir  pui-suits 
till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1871>  at  the  age  of  fifty -seven.  He 
enlist'd,  in  IStU,  in  Company  G,  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
served  three  years,  and  was  mustered  out  as  Commissarv-Seriicant. 
He  also  held  the  otKee  of  Constable  several  years  in  Ed w;irds  Countv. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  ;  at  the 
age  of  twenty  he  had  earned  suflicient  to  buy  a  farm  of  eighty  acres; 
this  he  improved  and  occupied  for  six  years:  he  then  sold  1  Ins  fnrm 
and  in  the  fall  of  l<S.s;5  j-emoved  to  Olney,  and  in  eompanv  with  Mr. 
Reinhardt  opened  a  general  grocery  store.  This  i)arlnership  con- 
tinued four  months,  when  Mr.  Wyatt  Itought  the  entire  business. 
He  carries  a  well  s(dected  stock  worth  about  >sl,2()0,  and  is  doinir  a 
constantly  increasing  business.  He  was  married  May  29,  1.S71)^  to 
A  Hie  R.  Jenner,  of  Richland  County.  She  died  Janiiary  14,  l.SSO, 
aged  nineteen  years.  His  sin-ond  marriage,  March  11,  l.s.si,  was  to 
Sarah  S.  Chai)man,  of  Richland  County.  One  bright  .son  o-laddens 
their  home. 


48 


7<.»4  BIOGUAPIIICVL    SKETCHES RICHLAND    COUNTY 


NOBLE  TOWNSHIP. 

PETER  BILLINGS,  a  le:uling   former  of  this  township,  is  a 
iiativp  of  Tennessee,  was  born  in    1&25,  and  is  the  son  of  AVilliam 
and  Mary  (Davis)  Billings  ;  tlie  former  a   native  of  Tennessee,  the 
latter  of  Wales  ;  they    were    encaged    in  fanning.       Grandfather 
Billings  was  a  Captain   in  the    army  of  the    Revolution,  and  once, 
in  a    severe    personal   encounter,    had    his    horse   shot   under  him. 
Swords  were   used,  and   Captain    Billings,  having  broken  that  of 
his  antagonist,  knocked  the  second   one  from  his  hand.     Peter  Bil- 
lings Ava's  married,   Novemlier  24,  1842,  to  ^Miss  jNIary,  daucfhter  of 
Timothy  Murry,  and  a  native  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.;  this  union 
was  productive  of    live    children — Timothy,  John  AV.    (deceased) 
Catherine  (deceased),  Louis    E.   and   James  M.      Mr.  Billings  has 
served  his  township  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.      He   located  here  in 
April,  1852,  and  entered  182^  acres  of  Government  land,  on  which 
he  lived    about    six  years  ;    he    afterward    entered  an   additional 
forty  acres,  and  about  18.57,  purchased  another  forty  acres,  to  wdiich 
he  moved  in  October,  1858,  and    on  which    he  has   since  lived.     To 
these  he  has  added    by  times,  and  now  owns  479  acres,  well  culti- 
vated, and  improved,  which  contains  perhaps  the  finest  residence  in 
the  coimty,  together  with  105  acres  of  orchard.     He  is  also  a  con- 
siderable dealer  in  produce,  as  well  as  all  varieties  of  stock,  and  is 
an  esteemed  citizen. 

W.  B.  BOLDIXG,  postmaster  at  Xoble  since  Novemlier,  18S0, 
is  a  native  of  Hardin  County,  Ky.,  born  in  18111,  and  is  the  sixth  of 
the   eight  children    of  William   and  Elizabeth  (Alphin)  Bolding  ; 
the   former  a  native   of  Virginia,   the  latter   of  South   Carolina. 
William  Bolding  was  a    Methodist    minister,  and    died   in    Coles 
County,   111.,   in    1840  ;  Mrs.    Bolding  died  in   this  county,  about 
1858.     Our  subject  remained   in   Kentucky  until  he  was  thirteen 
years  old,  at  which  time  his  parents  came  to  this  State,  and  settled 
in  this  county  ;  he    received  but  very  little  education.     In  1840,  in 
Col&s  County,  III.,  he   married  IVIiss   Nancy,  daughter   of    Daniel 
Drake,   a  pioneer   farmer  of  said  county.      Some    time   after   his 
marriaire,  Mr.  Bolding  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Iowa.     He  was 
a  school  teacher  from  1838  to  1847.    He  remained  in  Iowa  twenty-six 
years,  when  he  remoxed  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  and  engaged  in 
the  management  of  a  grist-mill  for  two  years,  then,  in  1875,  located 
in  Olney,  where  he  embarked  in  the  hotel  business,  then  farmed  for 
a  time,  and  finally  located  in    Noble,   and   gave  his    attention  to 
merchandising.     Mr.  Bolding  has  given  much  attention  to  politics; 
he  served    three    terms  as   Justice  of  the    Peace  in  Iowa,  and    as 
Supervisor  of  Crawford    County    one    year ;  he   was  also    in  the 
Government  service  in  Iowa,  as  Postmaster,  from  1853  to  1857,  and 
as  deputy  Marshal,  in  1H(')0.      Mr.  and  Mrs.   Bolding  are    members 


NOBLE    TOWNSHIP.  795 

of  the  Universalist  Cliuich,  tuul  the  i)ureiits  of  eleven  children  — 
Elizuhcth  J.,  William  R.,  John  L.,  Parmelia,  James  M.  (deceased), 
Charles  W.  (deceased),  Daniel  L).,  Alice  M.,  Erastus  ;M.,  Clara  E. 
and  S.  Dora. 

W.  O.  BOYLE,  saloon  keeper,  is  a  native  of  Brown  County, 
Ohio,  was  born  in  the  year  18,53,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Ilix)  Bovlc.  William  Bovle  was  an  attornev-at-law,  at 
Ooornrctown,  Ohio,  came  to  Illinois  in  l.sUl,  and  en^-an'cd  in 
Tnerchandisinii-  at  Xoble,  and  also  managed  a  large  farm,  which  he 
owned,  in  connection  with  his  practice.  ]\Ir.  Boyle  read  law  with 
Oen.  Hamer,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Mexican  war.  AV.  O.  Boyle, 
our  subject,  came  to  Xoble  with  his  parents  M'hen  he  was  eight 
years  old,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  Xoveml)er  18,  1882,  he 
married  Miss  Annie  Milton,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  bv 
which  union  was  vouchsafed  to  them  one  child,  which  is  named 
Harry  E.     Mr.  Boyle  is  a  generally  respected  citizen. 

JAMES  X.  CHAILLE  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in 
1.S27,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Jane  Chaille.  John  Chaille  was  a 
native  of  Maryland,  and  a  shoemaker  by  occupation,  who  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky  with  his  family,  and  there  resided  until  about 
iSol,  when  they  removed  to  Indiana,  and  there  ended  their  lives. 
James  N'.  is  tlie  youngest  of  the  seven  children  comprising  his 
father's  family,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  received  some 
education  from  the  common  schools.  In  January,  1849,  he  married 
Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Stribling,  of  Jefterson  County, 
Ind.,  M'ho  died  in  1880,  leaving  four  children — Uriah,  Jessie,  John 
and  Jennie.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Jennie  Stott,  by  which 
marriage  he  is  the  father  of  one  child,  Bertha  E.  The  first  land 
owned  by  our  subject  was  340  acres  in  Tennessee,  which  he 
occupied  in  18.')2,  and  for  three  years  thereafter.  His  next 
purchase  was  forty,  and  then  120  acres,  in  Indiana;  later  he 
purchased  1.56  acres  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  on  which 
he  lived  twelve  years  ;  this  he  likewise  sold,  and  tinally 
l)urchased  his  present  farm,  in  18.S(),  comprising  320  acres  ot 
])rairie  land,  which  is  under  a  good  condition  of  cultivation  and 
imi)rovement,  making  a  desirable  proi)erty  and  comfm-table  home. 

DR.  J.  A.  CLUTTER,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in 
Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  ^Nlarch  1,  1847.  When  he  was  seven  years 
old  his  parents  ('migrated  to  Greencastle,  Ind.,  where  he  received 
the  major  part  of  his  education.  In  18(33,  said  parents  removed 
to  Indianapolis,  where  he  attended  school  six  months  before  he 
entered  the  store  of  J.  E.  Marott,  233  East  Washington  Street,  as 
salesman.  In  this  engagement  he  was  active  and  successful,  and 
after  one  year  and  a  half  the  proprietor  oft'ered  him  an  interest  in 
his  business,  his  salary  being  $7.5  per  month.  Our  subject,  how- 
ever, demanded  something  more  permanent,  and  read  medicine 
with  his  brother,  Dr.  W.  H.  Clutter,  Surgeon  of  the  Sixty-Eourth 
United  States  Volunteer  Infantry.  Subsequently  he  attended  the 
Rush  Medical  Collesre  of  Chicago,  in   18(50-67,  and    completed  his 


TUrt  IJIOGKAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNH  : 

professional  course  at  the  Missouri  ^Medical  Colleo-o.  Stiint  I^ouis. 
Dr.  Clutter,  on  June  20,  18(59,  married  Christeiia,  eldest  dau<rhtcr  of 
Dr.  H.  M.  Sanderson,  and  a  native  of  this  township,  to  which  union 
were  vouchsafed  three  dauii-hters — Flora  M.,  Mollie  H.  and  Jessie. 
Dr.  Clutter  has  served  several  terms  as  meinher  of  the  Town 
Council  and  as  Healtii  Officer  ;  he  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  this  county,  and  is  a  meml)er  of  Noble 
Lodjre,  No.  482,  I.  O.  C  F. 

'MICHAEL  C.  D(3N0VAN,  tlirmer,  is  a  native  of  Ireland, 
was  born  in  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Mary  C  Donovan, 
both  natives  of  Ireland,  where  the  former  died,  aged  sixty-live 
years.  The  latter  came  to  America,  about  181)3,  and  died  in  Craw- 
fordsville,  Ind.,  aged  nearly  eighty-seven  years.  ^Michael  C.  Don- 
ovan came  to  Amerifa  when  tifteen  years  old,  and  served  an  a]i[)ren- 
ticeship  to  the  carpenters"  trade,  a't  Crawfordsville,  which  he  fol- 
lowed about  fifteen  years,  and  thereafter  i)urcliased  forty  acres  of 
unimproved  land  in  Montgomery  County.  This  he  cultivated,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1883  sold  the  same  and  purchased  140  acres  of  his 
present  farm,  which  is  situated  about  one  and  one-fourth  miles 
from  Noble,  and  which  is  a  most  desirable  property.  This  pos- 
session is  wholly  due  to  the  energy  and  thrift  of  our  subject.^  In 
1875  he  married'Miss  Susan,  daughter  of  William  Bre.ssie,  of  Wash- 
ington Countv,  Ind.  Mr.  Donovan  is  a  crenerallv  res])ected  citizen, 
and  a  prosperous  farmer. 

D.  C.  EDMONDSON,  of  the  firm  of  Edraondson  cSc  Co..  grocer- 
ies, provisions,  notions,  etc.,  is  a  native  of  Vincennes,  Ind.,  was  born 
March  26,  1853,  and  is  a  .son  of  Joseph  and  Miriam  (Mitchell)  Ed- 
mondson,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  Our  sub- 
ject's early  education  was  such  as  could  be  secured  in  the  connnon 
schools.  At  the  place  of  his  nativity  he  learned  the  machinist  trade, 
and  followed  the  same  until  1882.  March  15.  LslC,  at  Olney,  he 
married  Miss  Tillie,  daughter  of  Dr.  Sandei-son.  and  a  native  of  Hills- 
boro,  Ohio.  This  union  has  been  favored  with  one  child,  Bertie. 
Mrs.  Edmondson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  firm  of 
Edinondson  &  Co.,  has  been  established  since  January  1,  1883.  Their 
promise  of  jiatronage  is  as  large  as  their  stock  of  goods,  and  as  a 
<'onse(juence,  of  their  urbanity  and  energy  arc  destined  to  siiccessand 
prosperity. 

R.  N.  Mc;CAULEY,  attorney -at-law,  was  born  in  this  comity. 
October  v.),  1843,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  ten  childnMi  of  Daniel 
and  ]Mary  A.  (Jetfreys)  McCaulcy,  the  former  a  native  Kentucky,  the 
latter  of'Maryland.  Daniel  McCauley  followed  the  profession  ()f 
school  teacher  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  after  which 
he  devoted  his  time  to  farming  in  this  county,  where  he  located  in 
183(;.  and  where  he  now  resides  at  the  advanceil  age  of  eighly-onc. 
liis  wife  being  seventy-one  years  of  age.  The  boyhood  of  our  sub- 
ject was  divided  between  farm  work  and  schooling;  he  was  a  gn^at 
lover  of  learning,  and  was  notably  ])roficient  in  mathematics,  the 
most  so  of  any  one  in  the  county.      He    afterward  read  law  with  Mr. 


NOr.LK   TOWNSHIP.  71)7 

Li)iigii('ck('r,  prior  to  cntorinij  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arl)or,  Mich., 
from  which  he  irraduatod  in  the  spriniT  of  l^^-'^O,  since  which  time  he  has 
lived  at  Nohle,and  practiced  in  this,Chiy  and  other eonntie8,with much 
sati-sfaction  and  i)rolit.  l)('in«,^  th(^  only  licensed  :ittorney  in  the  town- 
ship. In  1870,  he  married  Hattie  E.^,  danirhter  of  Ira  Mendenhall, 
of  Peru,  Ind.,  to  which  union  were  born  four  children — Myrtle  W, 
Mattie  C.,  Edward  and  William.  Mr.  McCIauley  was  a  candidate  for 
Judgeslii[)  in  1882,  also  Commander  of  Noble  Post,  G.  A.  R.  Mrs. 
McCauley  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

J.  L.  ISIcMURTRY,  merchant  at  Noble,  is  a  native  of  Warwick 
County,  Ind.,  was  born  January,  1848,  and  is  the  third  of  the  fiv(; 
children  of  J.  U.  and  Elizabeth  C  (Angel)  McMurtry,  the  former  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  a  pioneer  farmer  of  this  county,  where  he  located  about  the 
vear  1851,  rich  in  the  exi)eriences  of  trials  and  privations  so  common 
to  those  early  comers.  Both  parents  now  reside  in  Nobk^ — the 
lather  aged  seventy,  the  mother,  fifty-seven.  J.  L.  McMurtry 
was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm,  on  which  he  labored  in  the  sum- 
mer and  went  to  the  common  schools  in  the;  winter,  and  by  which  he 
ac(juire(l  a  good  education  for  the  times.  In  1880,  at  Noble,  he  mar- 
ried ^Irs.  Stewart,  a  native  of  Ohio,  a  union  which  has  been  cemented 
by  the  birth  of  two  children,  named  Lettic  and  Clyde.  Mr.  Mc- 
Murtry was  Collector  for  two  years,  and  has  served  several  terms  on 
the  Town  lioanl.  He  commenced  the  general  merchandise  business 
in  April,  1883,  and  carries  a  stock  of  about  $G,00;i.  lie  is  an  active 
tradesman  and  an  esteemed  citizen. 

J.  D.  NICHOLS,  of  the  firm  of  J.  D.  Nichols  &  Co.,  grocers, 
was  born  at  Malone,  Eranklin  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  182.S,  and  is  the  second 
of  the  family  of  dohn  S.  and  Maria  (Smith)  Nichols.  _  John  S-  Niidi- 
ols  was  a  pioneer  fanner  of  northern  New  York,  and  is  yet  in  appar- 
ently active  life  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  and  his  wife  at  the 
age  of  seventy-eight,  both  residing  in  this  comity.  J.  D.  Nichols 
received  an  acaclemical  education,  and  afterward  taught  the  higher 
branches  for  four  terms.  In  1858  he  married  Miss  Esther  A.  Curtis, 
a  native  of  New  York.  After  an  engagement  of  two  years  in  Saint 
Louis,  at  telegraphy,  he  removed  to  Clinton  County,  111.,  where  he 
purchased  fifty-two" acres  and  remained  thereon  for  two  years;  this 
he  afterward"  sold  and  purchased  .JiO  acres,  near  Noble,  where  he 
resided  from  18(;2  to  l.S.sl,  wiien  he  rented  said  tiirm  and  moved  to 
the  town.  Mr.  Nichols  is  a  successful  business  man;  he  c(mnnenced 
his  i)re.sent  business  in  1S81,  and  took  a  partner  in  Decend)er,  1882; 
they  have  a  large  stock  and  promise  to  do  well.  Mr.  Nichols  has 
served  one  year  as  T(nvnship  Su])ervisor,and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  Mrs.  and  Mrs.  Nichols  have  had  five  children— William 
(deceased),  Mary  (deceased).  Frank  (decciised),  dohn  and  Nellie 
(deceased ). 

J.  F.  PALMER,  M.  I).,  was  born  in  Neville,  Clermont  Co., 
Ohio,  February  9,  182'J,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eleven  ( hildren  ot 
Jacob  and  Polly  (Stark)  Palmer,  natives  of  New  York.    Jacob  Pal- 


798  BIOGRAPHICAL    f^KETCHES — KICHLAND    COUNTY: 

mer  was  a  physician  aiul  came  to  Ohio  in  1817,  removed  to  Richland 
Coimty,  111.,  in  186<1,  and  died  in  ls76,  aged  eighty-tAvo  years,  and 
Mrs.  Palmer,  Anirnst  6,  1883,  aged  eighty-five.  Our  subject  received 
such  advantages  of  instruction  as  the  schools  of  that  day  afforded, 
and  began  reading  medicine  in  1852,  under  Dr.  Weaver,  of  high  repute 
in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  for  tAvo  years,  after  which  he  attended  lect- 
nres  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  graduated  there  in  I8ti8,  having  prac- 
ticed some  years  previously.  He  first  practiced  in  Ohio,  then  came 
to  Noble,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  August,  1856,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained, and  is  the  oldest  physician  and  suro-eon  in  this  region,  beins: 
now  associated  with  his  son.  Dr.  E.  L.  Palmer,  who  attended  three 
terms  at  McKendrie  College,  and  graduated  from  the  Eclectic  Medi- 
cal College  of  Cincinnati,  in  1877,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  July  13, 
1855,  and,  in  1881,  in  Saint  Louis,  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Elanders. 
Dr.  J.  F.  Palmer,  married  jNIiss  M.  C.  Danljury,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
October  23,  1853,  a  union  to  which  were  born  four  children — E.  L., 
Charles  E.,  Lillie  M.  and  Franklin  E.  (deceiised).  Our  subject  has 
been  Trustee  of  the  township  for  the  past  twenty-three  years,  and 
for  the  first  twelve  years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  town. 

CHARLES  E."^ PALMER,  counselor-at-law,  is  a  native  of  this 
township,  was  born  October  14, 1859,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  F-  and  M.  C. 
Palmer.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  common  schools, 
which  he  attended  imtil  the  year  1879,  Avhich  gave  him  the  advan- 
tage of  a  o-ood  education.     In  the  autumn  of  1881,  he  made  a  visit 

^  '  •  1 

to  California,  and  remained  there  until  the  spring  of  1882,  where  he 
Avas  engaged  in  various  employments,  a  portion  of  the  time  being  in 
a  dnig-  store.  After  his  return  from  California  he  was  elected  Town- 
ship  Assessor  on  the  Republican  ticket,  having  to  overcome  a  Demo- 
cratic majority  of  forty,  Avhich  bespeaks  his  popularity.  On  his 
twenty-first  birth  day  he  Avas  made  a  ]Ma«on,  and  is  at  present  secre- 
tary of  his  Lodge,  No.  3G2;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
In  May,  1883,  he  married  Miss  Mollie  PhilhoAver,  a  daughter  of  J. 
15.  PliilhoAver,  by  Avhicli  luiion  he  became  the  father  of  one  child, 
Beulah  M. 

J.  ROBERTS,  merchant,  of  the  firm  of  J.  Roberts  &  Son,  deal- 
ers in  hardAvare,  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  provisions,  etc.,  Avas  born 
in  Ohio  in  1829,  and  is  the  third  of  the  ten  children  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Sargent)  Roberts,  the  former  a  native  of  AYales,  the  latter  of 
Virginia.  John  Roberts  Avas  in  early  life  a  sailor,  later  a  farmer;  he 
died  in  Ohio  at  the  age  of  eighty-three,  his  Avife  bcingyet  alive,  aged 
seventy-nine.  Our  su])jcct  resided  at  home  until  he  Avas  tAventy-tive 
years  of  age.  In  l^i55,  he  married  jNIiss  Zimrode,  daughter  of  Nehe- 
miah  Bicknell,  and  a  native  of  Ohio.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Rob- 
erts purchased  170  acres  in  West  Virginia,  on  Aviiich  he  remained 
nine  years;  this  he  then  sold  and  removed  to  Noble  ToAvuship,  pur- 
chased 320  acres  and  remained  two  years;  he  afterward  removed  to 
Ohio,  Avhere  his  Avife  died  in  1870,  leaving  three  children — /Vrthur 
B.,  Z.  Ella  and  Albert.  He  next  married  ]Miss  Fannie  V.,  daughter 
of  \.  R.  Nye,  and  a  native  of  Ohio.     This  union  gave    issue  to  four 


NOBLK    TOWNSHIP.  TliU 

children— Alma,  Fi-.iuk  IL,  AVillio  G.  and  Charlie  N.  After  this 
marriairo  ^Ir.  Roberts  returned  to  Kiehland  County,  and  lived  on 
his  previously  occupied  farm  until  he  Ix'iran  his  i)resent  business, 
which  he  manaired  in  connection  with  farminiTj  havins:  a  good  farm 
of  320 acres.  Mr.  Roberts  was  township  Supervisor  in  1S72,  and 
has  been  school  trustee  for  five  years,  lie  is  a  Knight/remplar  Ma- 
son, and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

J.  SLATE,  of  the  firm  of  Slate  t*c  Fay,  general  merchants,  is  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  a  son  ot  Henry  and  Sylvia  (Hale) 
Slate,  also  natives  of  Massachusetts.  Henry  Slate  was  a  farmer, 
and  lived  on  the  homestead  which  had  been  in  the  family  125  years. 
Grandtather  Slate  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  Henry  Slate  is  yet 
living  on  the  family  farm,  aged  seventy-one  yeai-s,  wdiere  his  Avife 
died  in  l.S41>.  Our  subject  had  a  regular  course  of  study  and  gradu- 
ated at  Powers'  Institute,  in  his  native  State,  in  1862,  after  which  he 
became  a  teacher  in  the  East,  and  later  taught  six  months  inWarren 
County,  and  six  months  in  Richland  County,  111.  In  1871,  in  Cin- 
cinnati, he  married  Miss  Clara  L.,  daughter  of  L.  Fay,  a  Baptist 
minister,  and  a  native  of  Athol,  Mass.;  this  union  was  graced  by 
three  children— Fay,  Ernest  and  Bertha.  :Mr.  Slate  commenced  his 
business  in  1878;  the  firm  carries  a  stock  of  $10,000,  the  trade  rang- 
inir  from  $35,000  to  $50,000  a  year.  Mr.  Slate  has  served  as  Supervi- 
sor, Collector,  Postmaster  and  Trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Town  Council,  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  Avife  belong  to  the 
Baptist  Chin-ch. 

W.  G.  TOLIVER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  was  born  December  25,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and 
Delana  (Burton)  Toliver.  William  Toliver  was  a  farmer,  Avho  emi- 
grated from  North  Carolina  to  Indiana,  ni  his  early  life,  and  Avhere  he 
resided  until  his  death.  W.  G.  Toliver  received  a  good  education 
in  youth,  and  Avas  reared  to  his  father's  business  of  larmiug;  he  also 
tiiught  school  for  a  time,  and  in  1858,  came  to  this  State,  AAdiere  he 
began  teaching,  and  found  a  wife  among  his  pupils — Miss  Eliza  A. 
Scott,  whom  he  married  in  1851);  she  Avas  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Maro-aret  Scott,  Avho  looted  in  this  county  in  1840,  and  a  portion  of 
Avhose  land  was  given  to  Mrs.  Tolivei-  by  her  father.  After  mar- 
riage, :Mr. Toliver  gave  his  attention  to  farming  and  continued  so  to  do 
unfil  hisdeath,  January  15,  1874,  having  increased  his  farm  and  estal)- 
lished  for  his  family  a  comfortable  inde])cndeuce.  the  farm  now  em- 
bracinii-  400  acres.  ^  Mr.  Toliver  left  five  children— William  R.  John 
A.,  Margaret  D.,  Clara  and  Charles  11.  Fel)ruary  11,  187fi,  Mrs. 
Toliver  was  married  to  Mr.  F.  C  :Madding,  Avho  died  August  15, 
1880,  to  Avhich  union  succeeded  one  child,  Avho  is  named  Louanna. 
Mrs.  Maddim;  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


800  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — ^KICHLANI)    COUVfY 


CLAREMONT    TOWNSHIP. 

X.  B.  ALLEX,  M.  I).,  was  born  November  8,  1852,  in 
Owensboro,  Ky.,  and  is  the  son  of  X.  B.  Allen,  Sr.,  also  a  native  of 
Owensboro,  and,  since  1862,  in  the  eniplo}'  of  the  United  States 
Government  as  ganirer,  in  liis  native  town.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  Olney  in  1873,  and  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  E.  Boyer  ;  in  1874-75  he  attended  his  first  course  of 
lectures  at  the  ]\Iedical  Colleije  of  Ohio;  March,  1877,  he  came  to 
Claremont,  where  he  has  since  been  actively  engaged  at  Ins  pro- 
fession ;  in  the  spring  of  187S  he  graduated  from  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  was  married,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1874,  to  Cecelia,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Ravenscraft, 
of  Olney  ;  tAvo  sons  ])less  this  union.  The  Doctor's  mother  was  a 
niece  of  Gen.  Joseph  II.  Daviess,  who  was  a  ])rominent  lawyer  of 
Owensboro,  Ky.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  in 
1814. 

EARLY  BEADLE  was  born  February  22,  1848,  in  Lawrence 
County,  111.,  and  was  the  son  of  Amos  Beadle,  who  came  to  Law- 
rence County  when  a  boy.  He  first  followed  stage-driving,  contin- 
ued this  for  several  years,  and  later  took  up  farming,  which  he  con- 
tinued till  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  May  27,  1880,  aged  fifty- 
four  years.  His  father,  William,  when  young  joined  the  Method- 
ist Church,  and  engaged  in  preaching.  This  profession  he  followed 
through  life.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted  in  18(54  in 
(company  E,  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of 
the  war.  He  i)articii)ated  in  the  battles  of  Tupehi,  Tenn.,  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  siege  of  Mobile,  and  others.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
he  returned  here,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He 
owns  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  he  inherited  from  his  father's 
esbite.  Mr.  Beadle  was  married,  in  1870,  to  Maria  E.  Fenis,  of 
Indiana. 

AVILLIAM  E.  COL V IX,  tanner,  was  born  October  8,  1848, 
in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  and  was  the  son  of  Peter  Colvin,  also  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  in  1854  the  family  came  to  Richland  County  and 
bought  Thomas  CJardner's  farm,  Avhich  is  the  oldest  settled  of  any 
farm  in  that  locality.  On  this  place  William  E.  was  reared,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  Ik;  married  Lydia  J.  Jackson.  She  was  born 
in  1857,  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  Four  sons  bless  this  union.  Soon 
after  marriage,  Mr.  C^olvin  bought  a  farm  of  foi'ty  acres  in  Section 
18.  He  afterwards  traded  farms,  and  in  1881  removed  to  his  present 
farm,  consisting  of  eighty  acres,  and  improved  with  a  very  comfort- 
able house,  good  barn  and  other  improvements.  In  1879  he  was 
elected  Commissioner  of  Highways,  and  still  holds  this  oflice. 

ELIJAH  COXXER,  general  merchant,  Avas  born  November 
12,  1824,   in  Spencer  County,  Ind.,  and   when  (juite  small    lost  his 


('LAKKMONT   TOWNSHIl*.  801 

father.  In  I80I  the  family  emigrated  to  Illinois  und  located  in 
what  was  then  Lawrenoe  Comity.  There  he  was  reared.  Since 
Ihen,  Ik;  has  lived  witiiin  four  miles  of  this  locality,  and  is  one  of 
the  oldest  settlers  of  the  eounty.  In  1(S44  he  was  married  to  Jane 
Utterbaek,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  They  have  four  (diildren,  one  son 
and  three  da uiihters.  In  1S,")()  he  was  elected  Constal)le,  and  attended 
the  lirst  and  second  courts  held  in  liichland  County.  Soon  after,  he 
moved  to  Claremont,  and  oi)ened  a  general  store.  This  he  con- 
tinued till  18<)2,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  II,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantiy.  and  was  promoted  to  Secon<l  Lieutenant. 
This  conunission  he  held  till  tlie  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned 
to  Claremont,  and  has  since  been  en<»-ai>e<l  at  merchandisinn-.  Mr. 
Conner  holds  the  ottice  of  .Justice  of  the  Peace,  havins;  been  elected 
in  April.  1S()7. 

A.  W.  FRITCHEY,  druir.oist,  was  born  June  4,  l.s;}I),  in  Dau- 
phin County,  Penn.  At  about  the  age  of  seven  he  lost  his  father. 
He  Avas  then  taken  and  rejired  by  his  miele,  lienjamin  Hrightbill. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  commenced  to  learn  the  carpenters' trade. 
This  he  followed  there  till  the  age  of  twenty-one.  In  l<s.')Ilhe  came 
to  Richland  County,  and  continued  this  l)usin(!ss  until  he  enlisted, 
in  April,  18()1,  in  Company  D.  Eighth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  served 
three  months,  then  enlisted  in  Companv  A,  Twenty-Sixth  Mis- 
souri  Infantry,  and  was  ])romoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  in  18()2. 
He  served  in  this  cajxieity  till  the  end  of  the  war,  and  was  hon  orably 
discharged  at  Saint  Louis,  June  L").  1815;").  He  was  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  November  2(J,  18(K),  and  confined  in 
Libby  Prison  till  Maj- 7, 1S(!4,  then  taken  to  Danville  Prison,  and 
there  confined  till  June,  1804.  He  was  then  siiipped  to  Ahic  on,  Ga., 
from  there  he  made  his  escape,  and  unfortunately  was  recaptured 
at  Lexington,  \.  C,  by  the  bloodhounds,  and  returned  to  ^lacon, 
Ga.  He  Avas  then  sent  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  there  i)la('ed  under 
the  fire  of  our  guns.  After  remaining  there  about  four  months  he 
Avas  shipped  to  Columbus,  S-  C,  whci-c  he  again  est-ajx-d-  After 
being  out  about  six  Aveeks  he  Avas  again  recaptured,  at  Fayetteville, 
N.  C.,  and  shi[)ped  l)ack  to  Libby  Prison,  Avhere  he  Avas  held  till 
April,  18(!.'),  Avlien  he  Avas  released  and  honoral)ly  discharged.  He 
then  returned  to  Richland  County,  continued  the  i-arpcntei's'  trade 
till  May,  1881,  Avhen  he  opened  a  drug  store  at  Claremont.  This 
business  he  still  continues.  He  Avas  married,  in  18(57,  to  Mary  J. 
Taylor,  of  Ohio.  Tavo  children  })less  this  union,  one  son  and  one 
daufifhter. 

^  ISAAC  FRITSCHLE  was  born,  April  S,  1S44,  in  Richland 
County,  111.,  and  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Fritschle,  an  early  settler  of 
Olney  ToAvnship.  Isaac  A\^as  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  in 
1869  he  married  Susanna  Mason.  She  Avas  born  in  Richland 
County,  and  died  in  1877,  aged  tAventy-six  years.  She  left  tAvo 
children,  one  son  and  one  daughter.  Mr.  Fritschle's  second  mar- 
riage took  i)lace  in  the  spring  of  1S78,  to  Mrs.  Hagerman,  a  native 
of  Richland  County.      They  hav(;   two  sons.     She   has    one    son  by 


802  BIOGKArmCAL    .sketches — RICHLAND    COUNTY: 

her  former  marriage.     The  couple  own    200  acres  of  land,  which  is 
well  improved. 

G.  W.  FULK  was  born  March  5,  1833,  in  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Fulk,  who  was  born  in 
North  Carolina.  When  he  was  about  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
Jacob  moved  to  Indiana,  where  he  followed  farming,  and  in  1838 
the  family  came  to  Clay  County,  111.  George,  in  1849,  returned 
to  Indiana,  and  there  was  married  to  Catharine  Boss,  who  was 
born  in  Indiana.  She  died  in  18(31,  aged  twenty-six  years.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  three  children,  two  daughters  and  one  son. 
Mr.  Fulk's  second  marriage  took  place  in  18(j2,  to  Sarah  Harmon, 
who  was  born  in  Kichland  County.  They  have  nine  children,  five 
sons  and  four  daughters.  In  1857  ]Mr.  Fulk  returned  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Claremont  Township.  When  in  Indiana  he  learned 
the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker,  and  this  trade  he  has 
since  followed.  Mr.  Fulk  owns  thirty  acres  of  land  where  he 
resides.  He  enlisted,  in  18(32,  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  till  June  of  18(34.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  at  Saint  Joseph's  Lake,  also  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  and  others. 

JOEL  GARDNER,  farmer,  was  born  December  18,  1825,  in 
(then)  Lawrence  County,  111.,  and  now  lives  within  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  from  the  spot  on  which  he  was  born.  Joel  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Frances  (Calhoun)  Gardner.  His  father  was  born  in  Georgia, 
and  his  mother  in  South  Carolina.  Thomas  moved  to  Indiana, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  about  1822  emigrated  to 
Illinois,  and  entered  ninety-three  acres  of  land  known  as  the  Peter 
Colvin  farm,  and  there  he  died,  January  9,  1864,  in  his  seventy- 
second  year,  His  wife  died  October  iO,  1855,  aged  sixty  years. 
She  Avas  the  dauoliter  of  Husfh  Calhoun,  from  whom  Calhoun 
Prairie  derived  its  name.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  and 
reared  on  this  farm,  and  when  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
his  father  gave  him  sixty  acres,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  at 
first  built  a  log  cabin  16x18  feet,  and  there  five  of  his  children  were 
born.  In  1858  he  built  his  i)resent  residence,  which  cost  about 
$1,000.  He  has  two  barns,  one  l)uilt  in  1857  and  one  in  1874,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $70;).  His  fruit  house,  12x24  feet,  cost  about  $300, 
and  he  has  an  orchard  of  about  three  acres,  inclosed  with  a  very 
substantial  wire  and  hedge  fence.  Mr.  Gardner  has  added  other 
lands  since  coming  here,  and  now  owns  200  acres,  and  his  is  one  of 
the  best  improved  farms  in  this  locality.  In  August,  of  1862,  he 
entered  the  service  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  H,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry,  served  al)out  one  year,  then 
resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  Mr.  Gardner  has  been  Justice 
of  the  P(!ace  about  sixteen  years,  and  has  been  several  terms 
Supervisor.  He  was  elected  one  of  the  three  County  Commissioners 
this  election,  which  was  to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the  County  Board. 
AVhen  his  father  first  came  to  this  county,  their  nearest  post-office 
Avas  Lawrenceville,  a    distance   of  twenty  miles.      Our  subject  was 


CLAKE.MONT    TOWNSHIP.  803 

married  in  1S4G,  to  Riichel  E.  Heap,  who  was  born  in  Miiskinauni 
County,  Ohio,  January  10,  1827.  She  diedJanuary  24,  1873.  Tliis 
union  was  blessed  with  nine  children,  tliree  sons  and  six  daughters. 
His  second  marriaire  was  to  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Edwards,  Xovember  26, 
1874.  She  was  born  in  La  Hue  County,  Kentucky,  June  23,1838. 
They  liave  one  son.  She  has  iive  ciiildren  by  her  former  mar- 
riage, four  sons  and  one  dau2fhter. 

THEODORE  GHARST  Avas  born  January  19,  1840,  in  Lan- 
caster County,  Penn.  His  father  carried  on  the  shoemakiug  trade 
there,  and  witli  him  Theodore  learned  that  business.  In  1803  he 
came  to  Claremont,  open'ed  a  sho}),  and  has  since  carried  on  his  trade. 
He  bought  a  farm  of  tifty  acres  in  the  spring  of  1882;  this  land  joins 
the  village  of  Chiremont,  and  this  he  cultivates,  as  well  as  carrying 
on  his  other  business.  He  enlisted  in  18(31  in  Company  B,  Six- 
teenth Ohio  Infantry,  and  served  three  months.  He  was  married 
in  the  fall  of  1861  to  Adaline  Greenwood,  of  Pennsylvania.  Eight 
children  have  blessed  this  union,tive  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr. 
Gharst  is  now  school  director  and  Commissioner  of  Hiii"hwa3-s. 

HENRY  HARMON,  Jr.,  was  born  November  23,  1853,  in 
Greene  County,  Ind.,  and  was  the  son  of  Henry  Harmon,  who  was 
born  March  11,  1812,  in  Byron  County,  Ky.,  and  in  1836  came  to 
Richland  County,  111.,  and  settled  about  three  miles  south  of  Olney, 
on  Congress  land.  He  there  lived  several  years,  but  finally  returned 
to  Indiana,  Avlicre  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  In  185.5 
Henry  came  with  his  parents  to  Richland  County,  where  he  has  since 
lived.  He  owns  sixty  acres  land  upon  which  he  lives  in  Section  15, 
and  has  just  completed  a  very  comfortable  house,  which  he  occupies. 
He  Avas  married  in  1875  to  Mary  Graft",  Avho  was  born  in  Richland 
County.     They  have  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

SAMUI^L  R.  JONPIS  (deceased)  was  a  native  of  Orange  County, 
N.  C,  born  in  1823.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  he  died  at  his 
home  in  Claremont  April  8,  187(5.  January'  8,  1848,  he  enlist- 
ed in  the  ^Mexican  war;  after  serving  about  seven  months  he  re- 
turned to  Orange  County,  continued  farming  and  also  ran  a  distillery 
there  several  years.  In  the  foil  of  1858  he  came  to  Richland  County 
and  located  in  Claremont;  he  first  worked  for  the  railroad  company, 
attending  the  tank;  also  farmed.  He  enlisted  in  September,  1862, 
in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantr}^  and 
served  to  the  end  of  the  Avar.  On  account  of  Avounds  received  at 
difterent  battles  he  Avas  ti-Jinsferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps  at  Spring- 
field, 111.,  in  1864,  Avhere  he  remained  till  1865,  av hen  he  Avas  hon- 
orably discharged.  In  18<)6  he  returned  to  Claremont,  bought  a 
farm  of  tAventy  acres  about  one  mile  Avest  of  the  village,  and  there 
lived  several  yeai-s.  He  then  removed  to  the  poor-farm,  havin»^ 
been  appointed  Superintendent,  held  this  position  four  years,  and 
during  his  stiy  bought  tlie  hotel  uoav  knoAvn  as  the  Jones  House. 
December  -2.'),  1874  he  removed  to  this  house,  Avhere  he  remained  till 
his  death.  He  was  married,  August  15,  1841),  to  Elizabeth  G- 
Jones,  Avho  Avas  born  in  Orange  Count}^  N.  C  Five  children  blessed 
this  union,  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 


804     .  IJIOGKAPHICAL    .SKETCHES UICHLANI)    COUNTY: 

CHRISTIAN  E.  MILLER  was  l)orn  October  16,  IH53,  in 
Claremont  Township.  He  is  the  son  of  Christian  Miller,  who  was 
born  in  wit/cerland  and  came  to  Richland  Conntv  in  1845,  where 
he  finally  died.  The  snbject  of  this  sketch  was  brousfht  up  by 
his  step-father.  Mr.  Miller  owns  100  acres  land  upon  which  he 
lives,  and  mostly  improv(?d.  lie  was  married  in  is?.")  to  Sophia 
Ilostettler,  who  wa.s  born  in  Ohio,  and  died  in  ]\hirch,  1878,  aged 
twenty-eight  years.  They  had  one  daughter.  Mr.  Miller's  second 
marriage  occurred  in  ]\Iarch,  187'.),  to  Rachel  E.  Gardner.  She  Avas 
born  in  Claremont  Township.     Two  sons  bless  this  union. 

ISAIAH  J.  MOWRER,  farmer,  was  born  March  3d,  1832,  in 
Ashland  County,  Ohio,  and  was  the  sou  of  Henry  Mowrer,  who  was  a 
native  of  Maryland,  and  carried  on  the  stone  mason  trade  in  his 
younger  days.  He  afterwards  engaged  in  farming.  In  1836  lu^ 
came  AVest  wnth  a  view  of  finding  a  desirable  location  to  settle  with 
his  family.  He  then  entered  three  quarter-sections,  which  land  he 
afterwards  deeded  to  his  sons,  George  W.,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  Isaiah  J.,  who,  in  1854,  came  to  this  farm  and  has  since 
resided  here.  He  now  owns  420  acres  wdiich  is  improved  with  a 
comfortable  stone  house.  The  stone  used  in  its  construction  was 
taken  from  a  quarry  on  the  farm,  and  the  foundation  of  his  barn  and 
other  out  buildings  are  also  built  of  stone.  Mr.  Mower  has  about 
eight  acres  of  orchard  and  about  200  acres  in  improvement.  He 
was  married  in  1.S53  to  Julia  Ann  Clitfc,  who  was  born  in  Ashland 
County,  Ohio.  They  have  had  nine  children,  eight  of  wdiom  are  now 
living,  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Our  snbject's  farm  is  situated 
two  and  three  quarter  miles  east  of  the  village  of  Claremont,  and 
the  residence  is  in  Section  12. 

_  B.  M.  NEASE,  teacher,  was  born  October  27,  1852,  in 
Meigs  County,  Ohio,  the  son  of  Gideon  and  Eliza  J.  (Jewett) 
Kease.  They  were  also  natives  of  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  10  years  he 
lost  his  parents;  he  then  lived  with  his  uncle  about  two  years,  and 
later  with  his  grandfather  till  tlu^  ao-e  of  eiohteen  vears.  In  the 
spring  of  1863  they  removed  to  La  Salle  County,  Illinois;  he  lived 
there  in  all  about  eight  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Ohio,  re- 
maining there  about  two  years.  In  1873  he  came  to  Richland 
County.  After  teaching  about  three  jx'ars,  he  Avas  engaged  in  the 
drug  business  about  two  years.  The  past  three  years  he  has  been 
engaged  in  teaching.  Since  the  fall  of  1883  he  has  had  charge  of  the 
school  in  the  village  of  Claremont.  He  was  married  in  the  spring 
of  1878  to  Miss  Essie  Ravenscroft,  of  New  Albany,  Indiana.  They 
have  had  two  children,  one  living — Steiihcn  G.  Louisa  INIay  died 
September  7,  1<S,S3,  in  her  second  year.  Both  ])a rents  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  PEER  was  born  January  20,  l.S.U,  in  Richland  County, 
Ohio,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  came  with  his  parents  to  Richland 
(Jounty,  Illinois.  They  settled  in  the  locality  where  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  now  resides.  His  father  died  September  7,  185J), 
aged  forty-six  years  and  three  months.     On  the  breaking  out  of  thi^ 


CLAKEMONT    TOWiNSHIl'.  805 

war  John  Poor  onlistod  in  Company  E,  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry, 
and  served  about  ei^rhteen  months.  He  then  returned  to  the  tarm 
which  he  owns,  consisting-  of  120  acres,  and  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. Mr.  Peer  has  held  the  office  of  Constable  seven  years,  and 
school  director  fourteen  yeai-s.  lie  was  married  in  18(10  to  Eliza- 
beth Stockwell,  who  was  born  January  28,  l<s;}(j,  in  Jasper  County, 
Illinois.  They  have  four  children,  one  son  and  three  daughters, 
having  lost  Wintield  S-,  in  infancy.  Mr.  Peer's  mother  died  July 
12,  1879,  aired  sixtv-eiofht  vears  and  three  months. 

JOHN   F.    PERRY    was   Irorn    December  24,    1831,   in  tVayne 
County,   Ohio,    and    in    IS.'JS   came    with  his    parents    to   Richland 
County,  111.     His  father,  John   Perry,    died    December,   183i»,  aired 
forty-six  years.     John  F.  enlisted  in  181)1  in  Company  E,  Eleventh 
Missouri  Infantry,  and  Avas  ])romoted    to  Second   Lieutenant,  and 
mustered  out  in  January  of  18<)(!.     He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
luka.  Miss.       Mr.  Perry  after  l)einir  mustered  out  returned    to  this 
farm  wdiich  he  owns,  consistin^r  of  loO  acres,  mostly  improved.     He 
was  married  in  1854  to  Charity  Stockwell.     She  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky.    Mr.  Perry's  mother  died  in  1882,  ao-cd  seventy-seven  vears- 
DAVID  L.  M.  RICHARDSOX  was  born  May  7,  i.s3G,  in  Perry 
County,  Penn.,  and  was  the  son  of  Jose[)h  Richardson  who  was  born 
in  PvUirland.     Joseph  emiirrated  to  America  in  1810,  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania, eniraii-cd  in  farmin<r,  and  died  in  the  sprinir  of  1882,  in  his 
<M_irhty-thir(t  year.     David  L.  M.  moved  to  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
in  1803,  and  there  engaged  at  farming.     On  June  21,  1857,  he  came 
to    Richland  County,  and  settled  in  Claremont  Township.     Here  he 
owns  one  hundred  acres  of  land  where  he  now  resides.     ]Mr.  Rich- 
ardson enlisted  April  17,  18iil,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  at 
Springtield,    111.,  April     21,     in     Com[)any  D,   Eighth   Illinois  In- 
fantry.    P^x-Governor  Oglesby  was  Colonel    of  this  regiment.     Mr. 
Ric'hardson  is   with  one  exception  the  only  resident  soldier  who 
(uilisted  from  this  county  at  the  l)reaking   out   of  the   war  on    the 
call  of  President  Lincolii  for  75,000    men    for    three    months.     He, 
after  serving-  this  enlistment,  at  once   re-enlisted   in    the   call    for 
301), 000  men  for  three  years'  service.     His  second  enlistment  was  at 
Cairo,  111.     He  p:i.rticipated  in   the  battles  of  Fort  Henry,  Tenn., 
Fort   Donelson,  Sliiloh, — and  there  receiv(!d  a   wound   in   his  right 
thigh  by  a  limb  falling  from  a  tree, — of  Port  Gibson,  Riiymond, 
Jacksoii.  Miss.,  Champion  Hill,  charge   at  Vicksburg,    and    there 
received  a  seven;  wound  in  the  right  shoulder.       He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  a  company  in  the  V(>teran    reserve  corps  by  si)ecial  orders, 
and  was  mustcu'cd  out  as  Corporal  at  the  close  ot  his  service.     He 
was  married  in  18(57  to  Susanna  C.  Miller.      She  was  born  in  Swit- 
zerland,  and    at  the  age  of  five  years  came    with  her    ])arents    to 
America.    Thev  have  four  ciiildren.  two  sons    and    two  daughters. 
He  is  a  member   of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.,  antl  amendjer  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

ELI  C.  ROBERTS  was  born  Sei)tember  l!l,  1817,  in  Sullivan 
County,  N.  Y.,  w^as  reared  in  Ontario  ('ounty,  and   was   the  son   of 


80(5  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND   COUNTY  : 

Hezekiah  and  Hannah  (Clason)  Roberts.  He/okiah  in  his  youngor 
clays  worked  at  the  ('abinet-makin<>-  bnsiness,  and  also  served  in  the 
war  of  1<S12,  bnt  on  account  of  ill  health  contracted  in  the  service, 
he  went  to  the  Hot  Springs  to  regain  his  strength  and  there  died.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  removed  to  Noble  County,  Ind.,  in  1845,  and 
there  engaged  in  farming.  In  1872,  in  company  with  his  son 
Charles,  he  came  to  Richland  County.  111.,  there  bought  his  tarm  of 
157  acres,  and  then  returned  to  Indiana.  In  the  following  year  he 
returned,  bringing  his  famih'.  Here  they  have  since  resided.  His 
farm  has  been  improved  with  a  comfortable  house  l)uilt  in  1^^71t,  at 
a  cost  of  $1,200,  and  a  ])arn  built  in  1877,  costing  about  §800.  He 
has  also  planted  about  four  acres  of  orchard.  He  was  married  in 
1847  to  Abigail  Allen,  he  was  l)orn  January  1(),  1828,  in  \'ermont, 
and  died  in  1859.  The}"  had  live  children — four  living,  all  sons.  His 
second  marriage  took  place  in  the  fall  of  18151,  to  Elizabeth  Miller. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  died  in  18(37,  aj^ed  thirty  yeai-s,  and  his 
third  marriage  was  in  1868,  toSirah  Miller.  She  was  born  July  2o, 
1845,  in  Ohio.  They  had  four  children — three  living,  two  sous  and 
one  daughter. 

IRA  O.  SNAYELY  was  l)orn  ,Ju\\  (>,  1857,  in  Crawford 
County,  Ohio,  and  in  1867  came  with  his  parents  to  Richland 
County,  III.;  they  settled  on  this  farm,  where  the  father  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1881,  in  his  fifty-third  year.  This  firm  consists  of  120 
acres,  mostly  improved,  also  a  very  comfortalile  dwelling,  a  barn 
and  other  out-buildings.  Ira  O.  was  married  in  1879  to  Ida  M.  Har- 
mon. She  was  born  in  Bonpas  Township,  Richland  County.  This 
union  is  blessed  with  one  son,  Rooer. 

D.  S.  SHOEMAKER  was  born  November  25,  ls39,  in  Perry 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  the  son  of  John  Shoemaker,  who 
was  born  in  Germany  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  when  a  boy,  learned  the 
tanners'  tmde,  worked  at  this  business  for  about  three  years.  In 
December,  1859,  he' came  to  Richland  County,  where  ho  owns  120 
acres  land.  Mr.  Shoemaker  enlisted  in  1862  in  Company  B,  Ninety- 
Eighth  Illinois  (Mounted)  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
He  participated  in  the  l)attlcs  of  Hoover's  Gap,  Cliickamauga,  Parin- 
ington,  Atlanta,  Selma,  and  others.  Mr.  Shoemaker  was  married 
June  10,  1860,  to  Amanda  E.  Richardson.  She  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Penn.  They  have  had  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
dauo-htcrs.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Urica  Christian  Church. 

"E.  J.  STEWARD,  of  the  firm  of  Beaird  &  Steward,  general  mer- 
chants, was  born  June  5,  1845,  in  Richland  County,  and  is  the  son 
of  Thomas  L.  Steward,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  E.  J.  enlisted  in  February,  18(54,  in  Company  F,  Forty- 
Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  was  with  Sherman  during  his 
march  to  the  sea,  and  was  in  many  severe  engagements.  At  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Olney  Township,  Avhere  he  remain(Ml 
about  two  years  ;  in  1867  he  went  to   Clinton  County,  Mo.  ;  June, 


CLAUEMONT   TOWNSHIl". 


807 


1808,  he  extended  his  travels  to  Cheyenne  City,  \V.  T.,  also  to  Colo- 
rado; he  returned  to  Olney  Township  in  18()!l  ;  in  March,  1<S70,  he, 
with  his  father  and  brother,  opened  a  irener.d  store  in  Claremont, 
under  the  tirni  name  of  T.  L.  Steward  &  Sons  ;  the  folloAving  year 
his  brother  retired  from  the  business  ;  in  September,  1871,  he  sold 
out  his  interest  in  the  business,  and  en<,'-a_ired  in  fanniiiu^  ;  this  he 
continued  till  the  sprinir  of  18X2,  when  he  returned  to  Claremont  ; 
November,  1882,  the  partnershi})  of  lieaird  tSc  Steward  was  formed, 
which  still  continues.  Mr.  Steward  has  been  Township  Supervisor 
one  term  ;  member  of  the  County  Board  one  term  ;  Township 
Assessor  one  year;  in  l.sso,  he  was  appointed  United  States  Census 
Enumerator;  he  was  three  years  Commissioner  of  Hi<ihways,  and 
he  is  at  present  Treasurer  of  Town  3,  liiinge  14,  He  was  married  in 
October,  1871,  to  Emma  Greenwood,  of  Richland  County,  Ohio  ; 
they  have  one  daughter  living,  and  lost  William  L.  in  September, 
1883,  in  liis  seventh  vear. 


S08  niOGUAI'lIICAL    SKETCHES — HIGHLAND    COUNTY 


DECKER     TOWNSHIP. 


DA\'I1>  11-  ANDERSON,  farmer  iin{\  stock-dealer,  a  native 
of  Decker  Tow  nshii),  Richland  C^o.,  III.,  was  born  on  Angust  16, 
l.s:)4,  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Jemima  (Brown)  Anderson,  and  is  of 
German  extraction,  and  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  respect- 
ively. They  came  to  Richland  County  almost  half  a  century  ago, 
and  settled  in  Decker  Township,  which  was  then  one  vast  wilder- 
ness. Mr.  Anderson  has  long  been  one  of  th(^  prominent  men  of 
the  Townshii)  and  still  resides  there.  Our  subject  attended  the  cnrly 
schools  of  Decker  Township  during  the  winter,  worked  on  the  farm 
in  the  suuuner.  and  renuiined  at  home  and  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  his  majority,  when  he  began  life  for  himself.  In  Octo- 
lier  of  the  centennial  year,  he  Avas  united  in  marriage  to  Ella,  a 
dau'ahter  of  Abner  (Jojubs,  and  a  native  of  Clermont  County,  Ohio. 
To  "this  household  has  been  born  three  children — Claude  A.,  Roscoe 
Iv.,  and  Mvrth>.  Immediately  after  the  marriage,  Mr.  Anderson 
moved  to  his  present  place  of  residence  two  and  one-half  miles 
south  of  Noble.  lie  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  first  rresidential  vote 
was  cast  for  Hancock,  lie  has  been  Clerk  and  Su[)crvisor  of  Decker 
Township,  and  in  b'^-SO  he  was  made  a  Mason,  and  is  now  Master  of 
the  Noble' Lodge,  No.  m2.  He  is  a  leading  citizen  of  the  county 
and  a  thorouith  iicntlemau. 

\BSAL()^i  BRO^VN,  pioneer  of  Richland  County,  w:!S  born 
in  Franklin  County,  Tenn.,  August  27,  lS2-_>,  and  is  the  son  ot  John 
and  Phd'be  (McCoy)  Brown,  is  the  third  of  seven  (diildnMi,  and  is  ot 
German-Scotch  lineage.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Brown  were  n:itives 
of  North  Carolina,  and  in  early  childhood  were  taken  to  Tennessee, 
and  were  there  married  and  lived  until  l-SJ.S,  when  they  emigrated  to 
Edwards  County,  111,  and  remained  two  years  and  then  came  to 
Richland  County,  111.,  and  settled  in  Decker  Township,  and  h(>reour 
s\ibiect  has  ever  since  lived  and  has  been  a  r(>sident  of  the  township 
for  mor(^  than  half  a  century.  When  he  came  to  the  county,  deer 
were  (piite  numerous,  the  W(dves  and  bears  troublesome,  and  the 
si'>-htof  Indians  a  (Oinmon  occurrence.  Mr.  lb-own  is  one  of  five 
men  who  killed  an  old  lK>ar  and  assisted  in  catching  four  cubs  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  Decker  Township  in  IS.VA.  The  paternal  grand- 
father and  the  father  of  Mr.  lirown  were  both  soldiers  in  the  war  ot 
1S12.  Mr.  Brown  was  married,  December  -I'X  l-SfH,  to  Lucinda 
SmiUi,  a  native  of  Kent  ueUy.  To  this  union  have  been  l)orn  s(«ven 
i-hildren.  ( )ur  snbjert  has  been  a  life-long  D(>mocrat,  and  has  sep'ed 
:is  Justice  of  the  IV  ice,  of  D.'cker  Township,  for  a  number  of  terms. 
In  ISOC),  he  lost  by  fuv  his  residence,  a  good  two-story  frame.  Mr. 
lirown  iias  long  boen  one  of  the  ent(^rprising  men  of  his  neighbor- 
hood and  is  one  of  the  frontiersmen  of  the  county. 

OSBERN   HENRY,  farmer  and  slock  dealer,  is  a  native  of  Craw- 


DKCKKl!    TOWNSHIP.  809 

ford  County,  Jll.,  born  Fohruarv  10,  1843,  son  ofR.  A.  und  Surah  A. 
(Lackey)  Ilonry,  is  the  third  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  and  is  of 
(jrennan-Irisli  extraction.  The  father  of  Mr.  Henry  was  born  in 
Teiniessee,  and  in  cjirly  manhood  came  to  Crawford  County,  111.  He 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  He  died  in  Arkansas  in 
l<Si;8.  Osbern  Henry  Avorked  at  home  until  twenty-t  woyenrs  of  a<re. 
His  marriaii'e  took  i)lace  December  28,  I8(i0,  to  Miss  Elvira  GofF, 
daughter  of  Mason  and  Elizabetli  Gotf.  To  this  marria^-e  were  born 
live  children,  viz.:  Laura  H.,  Ivra  M.,  Emery  E.,  Alason  G.  and 
Hester  A.  ^Irs.  Ilenrv  died  ()ctol>er  3,  1874,  and  four  years  later  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  F.  Carson,  a  distmt  relative  of  the 
famous  Kit  Carson.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children,  viz.: 
Fred.  H.,  Tillic  B.  and  Nannie  C  Mrs.  Henry  died  October  11,  1S83. 
In  ISCt),  ;Mr.  Henry  came  to  Decker  Townshi]),  IJichland  County, 
and  settled  where  he  now  resides  and  owns  27!'  acres  of  well-im- 
proved land.  In  l88o,  he  ereet<'d  one  of  the  best  barns  in  Decker 
Townsliip.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  Democrat,  thoui^^h  in  all  local  matters  he 
always  supports  the  l)est  man.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  1>!()4,  and 
is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

N.  L.  McCAULEV,  farmer,  Avas  l)orn  in  Jellerson  County,  Ky., 
October  2{y,  1833,  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  Ann  (Jeffrey)  Me- 
Cauley,  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction.  Mr.  McCauley  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rich- 
land County,  iiavinij-comc  to  the  county  from  Kentucky  in  183;"),  in 
company  Avith  his  parents,  and  settled  in  Avhat  is  noAV  Decker  ToAvn- 
ship.  The  father  of  Mr.  McCauley  Avas  born  in  Jefferson  County, 
Ky.;his  |)afernal  iirandfather,  in  \'iri:-inia,  and  his  o-reat-iiTandfather 
in  Ireland.  The  marriaii-e  of  N.  L.  McCauley,  occurred  l)ecenil)er  24, 
l'S57,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Rusk,  dauirhter  of  Thcmias  Rusk.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Cauley is  a  mitive  of  Clay  County,  111.,  the  Rusk  family  comin<i- 
oriirinally  from  \"iriiinia.  ^Ir.  ]\IcCauley  cast  his  first  Presidential 
vote  for  Millard  Filmore;  at  that  time  there  Avere  only  three  Whiijfs 
in  Decker  To wnshii).  He  is  now  a  Rejniblican,  and  in  l.s.ji),  avjis 
elected  Assessor  of  Decker  ToAvnship;  he  also  served  as  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  foni-  years,  and  is  now  ('ommissioner  of  Highways.  In 
Aiigust,  l.S(,;2,  he  eidisted  in  Company  II,  Ninety-Eie-hth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  Avas  honorably  discharged  in  February,  1S(;3,  on 
account  of  disal)ility.  Mr.  McCauley  noAV  owns  153  acres  of  w^dl- 
im])roved  land,  three  miles  soufhAvest  of  Noble.  In  addition  to  the 
farm,  Mr.M  cCaidey  has  l)een  enijaircil  in  running  a  saw  mill  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  is  a  membei-  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Noble  Lodire, 
No.  1S2,  and  is  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  enterprise. 

NATHANIEL  DULLER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Gibson  County, 
fnd.,  March  27,  1.S47,  is  the  son  of  .Nathaniel  and  Lucinda  (Mont- 
u:oni('uT)  .Miller,  is  the  youngest  of  seven  children  and  is  of  Dutch- 
Irish  extraction.  The  father  of  Mr.  Miller  Avas  born  in  Kentu<;ky, 
and  his  mother  in  Indiana.  In  the  spring  of  1852,  the  subject  of  this 
mention,  in  company  Avith  his  jiarents.  came  to  Richland  County, 
111.,  and  made  settlement  in  Decker    Township.     His  fathei-  died  in 

49 


810  BIOGRAPHrC  AL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    COUNTY  : 

November,  18G8,  niul  here  Mr.  Miller  has  since  resided.  His  mar- 
riage took  place  January  13,  18()7,  to  Sarah  C.  Williams,  a  native 
of  Richland  County,  111.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Sarah  L.,  Jacob  N.,  John  ^M.  (deceased),  Jane,  Margaret 
E..  Georo-e  AV.  and  Charley  T.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  Mr. 
Miller  came  into  possession  of  the  old  Miller  Homestead,  four  miles 
southeast  of  Noble.  This  land  was  entered,  in  1839,  by  John  Clark, 
and  t>he  first  log  cabin  is  still  standing.  Our  subject  is  a  true  Dem- 
ocrat. His  maternal  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  was  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.  :Mr.  Miller  has  been  Town- 
ship Collector,  Clerk  and  Commissioner  of  Highways  in  Decker 
Township.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal, 
Church.    He  is  a  leading  citizen  and  an  influential  man. 

R.  H.  RUN  YON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
February  26,  1840,  is  the  fifth  of  thirteen  children  and  is  of  Irish- 
German\lescent.  His  parents  were  l)orn  in  Rockingham  County, 
Va.,  and  in  1834,  emigrated  to  Ohio  and  there  remained  nineteen 
years,  or  until  18-53,  when  they  removed  to  Richland  County,  111., 
and  settled  in  Decker  Township,  and  here  the  father  died  in  1855,  and 
the  mother  in  1883.  When  R.  H.,  was  seventeen  years  of  age  he 
began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself,  and  two  years  later  found  him 
teachino-  his  first  school.  He  taught  in  the  Gray  District,  and  wa-s 
paid  $27.50  per  month,  for  a  term  of  three  months.  For  thirteen 
years  he  continued  in  this  profession,  teaching  during  the  winter. 
His  marriage  occurred  July  14,  1867,  to  Sarah  A.  Jonican,  a  native 
of  Highland  County,  Ohio.  They  have  had  three  children,  viz.: 
Jasou~"s.,  Alice  and  Albert  R.  In  1856,  Mr.  Runyon  came  into  pos- 
session of  that  portion  of  the  real  estate  inherited  from  his  father 
that  he  now  oAvns.  It  was  not  improved  until  I860.  Mr.  Runyon 
is  a  Democrat  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  :McClellan.  In 
1861,  he  was  elected  Township  Assessor  of  Decker  Township,  and 
held  this  position  for  six  consecutive  years,  and  was  then  elected  Su- 
peiTisor  and  held  this  office  one  year,  when  he  was  again  elected 
Assessor  and  remained  in  office  for  thirteen  years.  In  1880,  he  wiis 
appointed  to  take  the  census  of  Decker  Township.  Mr.  Runyon  is 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  township,  and  has  long  been  one  of  its 
l)rincipal  men. 

JOHN  SONNER,  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  was  born  in  High- 
land County,  Ohio,  May  6,  1.S26,  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Christina 
( Ambros)  Sonner,  is  the  third  in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  is  of 
German  descent.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Sonner,  were  born  in  Virginia. 
They  emigrated  to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  in  childhood,  and  were 
'  among  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  His  grandfather  Sonner  was 
u  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  Avar,  and  drew  a  pension  imtil  his 
death.  The  ])arents  of  Mr.  Sonner  died  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
at  a  ripe  old  age.  The  subject  of  our  notice  remained  at  home  and 
Avorked  for  his  father  until  he  Avas  tAventy-six  years  of  age.  He  Avas 
married,  March  30,  1851,  to  Miss  Amelia  Calcy,  daughter  of  Fred- 
erick and  Mary  ('aley,  natives  of  Virginia.     To  this  marriage  have 


DECKEH    TOWNSIIir.  811 

l)oen  born  oiolit  children,  viz.:  Allen  M..  William  F.,  Sarah  L, 
Levi,  Emma  ii,  John  C-.,  Ada  S.  and  Cora  E.  In  1.S55,  Mr.  Sonncr 
<-ame  to  Decker  Township  and  settled  fonr  miles  sontheast  of  Noble, 
and  here  has  since  lived.  He  tirst  bonght  lOl  acres,  but  now  owns 
2<.)0  acres  of  well-improved  land.  Mr.  Sonner  has  made  a  specialty 
of  growina"  frnit  for  many  years.  His  ai)ple  orchard  contains  forty- 
nine  acri's,  and  is  one  of  th(^  finest  in  Kichland  Connty.  He  has 
made  his  own  wa}'^  through  life,  and  by  hard  labor,  energy,  and 
economy  he  has  been  successful.  1I(^  is  a  thorough  Republican. 
Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Sonner  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
and  their  ancestors  were  among  the  founders  of  that  church.  He 
is  a  prominent  farmer  and  an  influential  citizen,  and  is  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  l)(H'ker  Township. 

M.  L.  TAYLOR,  farmer  ami  stock  dealer,  was  born  in  Rich- 
land County,  February  1(),  184.S,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Amelia 
(  Williams)^ Taylor,  is  eldest  of  six  children,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
German  extraction.  William  Taylor  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  his  wife  of  Ohio.  The  Taylor  family  has  long  been  known  in 
Richland  County.  Their  ancestors  came  to  the  county  almost 
half  a  century  ago.  M.  L.  Taylor  is  a  distant  relative  of  President 
Taylor.  Mr.Taylor  began  working  for  himself  when  twenty-four 
years  of  age.  He  Avent  to  Iroquois  County  and  there  clerked  in  a 
clothino-  store  for  a  short  time,  then  went  to  Fairfield  County,  111. 
In  1870  he  returned  to  Richland  County,  and  here  has  since  re- 
sided. In  November,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of 
John  and  Hulda  Given,  and  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  They 
have  had  five  children,  viz:  Dora  E.  (deceased),  Ida  A.,  William  O., 
Lillie  E.  (deceased)  and  Hulda  A.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  true  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  owns  a  good  farm  of  120 
jicres  in  the  northern  part  of  Decker  Township.  ^  He  has  a  good 
practical  business  education,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  in  Decker  Townshi]).  Ix'ing  one  of  its  pioneers. 


SI  2  RIOGKAPHK  AK    SKUICHES — KICHLAM)    (OLMV: 


MADISON     TOWNSHIP. 

.lOHN  BKOWN  was  born  .July  10,  ISIJ),  in  Hamilton  Comity, 
Ohio.  Whon  eii^ht  yoars  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Kcntncky, 
where  he  remained  until  1<S5."),  when  he  came  to  Madison  Township, 
Richland  County,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He 
owns  IGO  acres  of  land,  Avell  improved,  with  jjfooil  l)uil(lings  and 
five  acres  of  orchard.  ^Ir.  Hrown  was  mari'ied.  in  1<S40,  to  Elizabeth 
Serren,  also  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio.  Two  chihlren  liave  b(>en 
l)orn  to  them. 

DR.  S.  S.  CANBY  was  born  June  27,  1848,  in  Logan  County, 
( )hi().  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  moved  with  his  jiarents  to 
Kansas,  Avhere  he  attended  school  until  the  spring  of  lS(!o,  when  he 
came  to  Olney,  111.,  and  commenced  the  study  ot  medicine,  with 
Drs.  French  &  Lemen,  continuing  one  year.  In  18()1>  he  Ix'gan 
l)racticing  his  profession  in  Louisiana,  going  to  Clay  Connty,  ill., 
the  following  year,  and  continuing  to  i)ractice  medicine.  In  187H 
he  went  to  Saint  Louis,  and  attended  the  Missouri  Medical  College, 
i>-raduating  from  that  institution  in  L87S.  He  is  the  father  of 
three  bright  children. 

O.  r.  HEISTAXH  was  1)orn  in  Fredericks  (\)unty.  Md.,  Febru- 
arv  12,  18Lj.  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  ^cars  removed  to  Rich- 
land County,  Ohio,  where  he  carried  on  a  blacksmiths'  shop  until 
1<S;31I,  wdien  he  moved  to  Fairvicw,  Richland  Co.,  III.,  still  pnr- 
suinufhis  former occui)ation  until  l.SCxS.  For  the  last  eighteen  yeai-s 
Mr.  Heistand  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  has  been  stt>ward 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  the  past  thirty  years.  Mr. 
Heistand  has  four  children  living,  viz.  :  Emily  L.  wife  of  Rev.  D.  C. 
English,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ut  Albion, 
Hester  A.  (wife  of  Rev.  O.  H.  (Mark,  presiding  elder  of  the  Olney 
District),  Mrs.  George  C.Moore  and  Norman  A.  (a  carpenter  in 
Fairview).  Another  son,  Bently  N.,  enlisted,  in  18(!4,  in  the  Elev- 
enth Missouri  Lifantry,  was  wounded  December  !(!,  1N;4,  and  died 
from  ami)ntation  of  his  limb,  in  Januarv,  18»!r). 

JOHN  P.  HICiGIXS  was  born"  in  Wabash  County,  III., 
March  80,  1825,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  engaged  in  fiat- 
boating  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  extending  their  trips  from 
l>()npas.  III.,  to  New  Orleans,  and  continuing  this  pursuit  nine 
years.  Mr.  Higgins  and  his  father  were  successlul  hunters,  he 
haviuir  killed  in  one  vear  as  manv  as  sixty  deer,  and  his  father  120, 
hesides  large  numbers  of  turkeys  and  small  game.  In  \S')[),  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  went  to  California,  with  an  ox-team,  remain- 
ing about  two  years.  \Vhile  there  he  killed  a  griz/ly  l)ear.  Mr. 
Higgins  was  married,  in  184S),  to  Mary  K.  Key,  also  of  Wabash 
County,  III.  He  first  bought  forty  acres  of  land,  adding  to  it  as 
his  inc^ans  would  allow,  until   he  now  owns  8,")7  acres,  with   comfort- 


MADISON    KiWNSHir.  .S|,') 

al)lc  huiMiniTs-  ton  acres  of  orcluird,  and  seventy  liea<l  ot'eattlo  and 
threo  teams.  Mr.  Ilii^Lnns  is  lari>oly  euirai>('<l  in  tlie  lixc  stock 
business,  and  is  one  ot"  the  most  eiiterprisiiiir  men  in  the  eonnty,and 
one  of  its  oldest  settlers. 

TITUS  IlILI.  was  horn  in  liichland  Connty,  <  )liio.  April  20, 
1&2A,  antl  came  with  his  parents  to  rvawrenee  (now  liiehland) 
Connty,  October  1.  iMlo.  lioy  as  he  was,  he  siaiied  the  first  |)etition 
dividini;-  Kichland  from  Lawrence  (\umty.  His  father  settled  in 
Calhoun  Prairie,  and  boui^ht  K!.")  acres  of  lanil,  and  engaged  in 
farmini!;-.  He  worked  with  his  father  till  the  ai>e  of  forty-one, 
their  interests  always  l)eini;-  identical.  He  then  nnirried  Catharine 
M.  \N'ilson,  a  nativi^  of  Indiana,  who  died  May  .K).  iSdH,  aufed 
twentv-five  years.  Thev  had  one  daiiahter,  Mary  ( !.  His  second 
marriaire  took  place  Xovember  14,  1S7().  to  Flora  M.  liolinger,  of 
Fairview.  The\  had  four  children — two  liviu"- — David  S.  and 
»John  L.  After  iiis  miirriaii'e  his  father  bouirht  him  a  farm  of 
ei"-htv-ti\  e  acres,  where  he  lived  till  his  wife's  death,  when  he  .-old 
this  farm  and  came  to  Fairview-  and  lived  with  his  father  till  his 
death.  They  were  always  ha[)py  in  each  others  company.  Mr. 
Hill's  <:i-eat-i>raiidfather  served  in  the  Kevolntionary  war,  and  was 
buried  alive  by  the  British  on  lionii'  Island.  He  was  taken  a 
prisoner  and  placed  on  board  the  ship  Jersey,  and  fed  with  bread 
mixed  with  lime,  and  he  beini:-  about  dead,  they  buried  him  alive. 
The  Tories  in  the  neiohborhood  made  their  brai;s  that  they  "buried 
one  damned  "limkee  alixc."  and  so  handed  the  story  down  from  one 
i'eneration  to  another. 

,].  S.  HOW'Kisa  native  of  Fleming' Comity,  Ky.  His  father, 
havinii"  scM-ved  in  the  Mexican  war  and  beinir  entitled  to  a  land 
irrant,  entered  KIO  acres  where  they  now  reside,  cominij-  to  Madison 
Township  in  1(S(;,").  Mr.  Howe  has  held  the  otfiee  of  Assessor  one 
term.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  l*resident  of  the 
Richland  ('ounty  Sunday-school  Association. 

I.  X.  MARTIN  was  born  in  Kenton  County,  Ky.,  and  came  to 
Madison  Township,  October  24,  IS,');'),  where  he  has  since  resided, 
with  the  exception  of  three  3'ears  he  served  in  the  late  war.  He 
(udisted  in  l.s(;2,  as  Ser<>eant  of  Company  H,  Xinety-Eii^'hth  Illi- 
nois Mounted  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  wai'.  He 
particii)ated  in  the  battles  of  Hoover's  Gap.  Chickamani»a,  Mission 
llid<»:e,  Buzzard's  Roost  and  other  lesser  enirairements,  ami  was 
mustered  out  in  July,  isii.').  Mr.  Martin's  marriaac  occurred  July 
'2,  18()y,  to  N'ii'uinia  R.  I*ow(dl,  of  Coviniiton.  Ivy.  They  have 
seven  children     six  sons  and  one  dau«ihter. 

WILLIAM  I'ARKER  is  a  native  of  Madison  Township. 
Richland  Co..  111.  His  i^randfather  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers, 
haviuii'  come  to  that  locality  from  Kentucky  in  LS^ii,  and  entered 
a  lari^e  tract  of  land  includiui^-  the  site  where  Parkersburg  fs  now 
situated.  \\"illiam's  father  laid  out  the  town,  and  was  one  of  its 
[)romineut  men,  holdini:  the  otiice  of  Sheriff  three  terms.     He  was 


^14  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — KICHLAM)    COlNTY    : 

also  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention.  Mr.  Parker,  th«- 
subject  of  this  sketch,  in  l.S()8,  with  Mr.  Althousc,  built  the  grist 
and  saw  mills,  which  they  operated  five  ye:irs,  then  sold  to  other 
parties,  and  engaged  in  merchandising  three  years,  carrying  on  a 
farm  also.  He  noV  deals  extensively  in  stock  and  grain  and  owns 
two  larae  farms  of  400  acres  under  cultivation. 

AMOS  B.  8NIVELY  was  born  in  Richland  County.  Ohio. 
When  he  was  three  years  old  his  parents  came  to  llichland  County, 
111.,  and  in  1848  his  father  entered  eighty  acres,  where  the  homestead 
now  is.  In  1838,  he  had  visited  the  same  region  and  located  1  GO 
acres.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  450  acres,  240  of  which 
were  under  cultivation.  His  death  occurred  June  22,  1883,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-one  years.  Amos,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  enlisted 
in  18()2  in  Company  B,  Ninety-Eighth  Illinois  Mounted  Infantry, 
and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  In  18(58  he  was  married  to  Sarah 
E.  Parker,  of  Madison  Township.  Three  children,  two  sons  and  a 
daughter,  have  been  born  to  them. 

"DK.  J.  P.  SOLISS  was  born  in  De  Witt,  Clinton,  Co., 
Iowa,  December  10,  1848,  and  lived  there  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Johnson  County,  Nebraska, 
afterward  attending  the  State  Normal  School  at  Peru  three  years. 
He  then  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  M.  C.  Roe,  of  Beatrice,  three 
years.  He  then  entered  the  Pxlectic  Medical  College  in  Cincinnati, 
from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1874,  after  two  years"  study. 
Pie  at  once  settled  in  Calhoun,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  where  he  is  suc- 
cessfully practicing  his  profession. 

JACOB  SOTZEN  was  born  April  15,  1823,  in  Switzerland. 
His  childhood  was  spent  there  upon  a  farm,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1844  he  came  to  America,  locating  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  re- 
maining there  a  few  months,  when  in  the  tall  of  1845  he  removed  to 
Richland  County,  111.,  and  entered  eighty  acres  of  land.  He 
now  owns  230  acres,  130  of  which  is  well  improved.  His  house  cost 
$1,200,  and  barn  and  other  out-buildings  $550.  In  the  spring  of 
1849  Mr.  Sotzen  was  married  to  Susan  Ellsworth,  of  Indiana.  Six 
children,  five  sons  and  a  daughter,  have  been  born  to  them. 

S.  M.  THOMSON  was  born  November  5,  1824,  in  Posey  County, 
Indiana,  and  came  to  Madison  Township,  Richland  Co.,  Illinois, 
in  February,  1845,  where  his  lather  had  ent<'red  800  acres  of  land 
and  deeded  200  to  him,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  improved, 
and  it  is  now  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township.  INIr.  Thomson 
has  150  acres  under  cidtivation,  three  in  orchard,  and  raises  horses 
and  cattle  extensively.  He  also  owns  and  operates  a  sugar  mill, 
which  has  a  capacity  of  2,000  gallons  a  year.  For  tAventy  years  he 
has  been  director  of  the  Agricultural  Association  ;  has  been  vice 
presid(Mit,  and  is  now  president.  Mr.  Thomson  wiis  married  August 
22,  1844,  to  Mary  E.  Knight  of  Mount  Vernon,  Ind.  Ten  children 
have  been  born  to  this  marriage,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  One 
son,  Jonathan  F.,  served  six  months  in  the  late  Civil  war.  Mr. 
Thomson  has  been   a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ('hurch 


MAI)ISt)N     rOVVNSllH'. 


«1, 


forty-five  years;  also  an  active  Avorker  in  Sunday-school.  lie  has 
also  been  \Siiporvisor  of  the  township  and  is  a  friend  of  education 
and  has  done  much  to  improve  the  connnon  school. 

JAMES  B.  THOMSON  was  born  August  2<s,  l,s2(j,  in  Posey 
County,  Ind.,  and  there  lived  until  thirty-two  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  and  settled  on  land  his  father 
had  entered  in  183(5.  He  now  owns  :>(;()  acres,  part  of  which  is  im- 
proved, with  a  good  house,  barn  and  other  out-buildings,  and  twelve 
acres  of  orchard.  Mr.  Thomson  has  been  school  director  several 
years.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to  him,  six  of  whom  are  living, 
viz.:  Anna,  Marv.  Horace,  Grant.  Lincoln  and  Eva. 


810  HIOGU.VIMIK  AL    SKETCHES — KICHLAM)   COUNTY 


BONPAS  TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM  li.  BOLEY  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Va., 
Jul}'  1(>,  l.Sll.  He  was  roarod  on  a  farm  -where  he  was  born.  His 
father,  Elijah  Boley,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  on 
his  return  home.  NVhen  about  nineteen  years  of  age  our  subject 
moved  to  Greenup  County,  Ky.,  and  followed  farmino-  thereabout 
four  years  and  then  commenced  to  work  at  the  tanners'  trade,  which 
he  followed  about  seven  years.  He  then  worked  on  the  farm  four 
years,  and  also  engaged  in  teaming.  In  18r)()  he  came  to  Fairview, 
Richland  County,  remaining  only  a  few  months,  then  settled  on 
Calhoun  Prairie",  remaining  there  about  fourteen  years;  thence  to 
the  farm  which  he  now  oAvns  and  occupies,  consisting  of  210  acres, 
120  acres  of  which  are  improved.  In  1837  he  was  married  to  Nancy 
A.  Huckworth,  who  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Va.  Six  children 
have  been  I)orn  to  them.  Their  son,  Thomas  E.,  is  now  teaching 
school  and  residing  here.  Their  son  Elias,  at  the  age  of  tA\  enty-one, 
enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Illinois  Cavalry  in  1808,  and  died  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  on  February  22,  18(32,  from  measles  contracted  in 
the  service  and  in  the  line  of  duty.  At  the  time  of  his  death  the 
loss  was  dee])ly  felt,  as  at  the  time  he  Avas  the  parents'  onh^  sup- 
port. 

A.  ,}.  BRITTON  was  born  in  Hampshire  County,  Va.,  on 
January  21),  1829,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  in  1832, 
when  a  great  portion  of  the  southern  part  of  the  State  was  wild 
and  unsettled.  He  assisted  in  the  clearing  of  two  farms  in  Ohio. 
When  twenty  years  of  age  he  joined  the  Christian  Church,  and 
assisted  in  carrying  forward  the  good  Avork  in  the  erection  of 
meeting  houses.  On  January  20,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Anor 
M.  Barrow,  of  Hillsboro,  Ohio.  She  was  born  on  February  4, 
1831.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz. — Charles  A., 
Amelia  J.  (now  Mrs.  H.  A.  Colvin),  Benjamin  F.,  Ollic  M.,  Lydia 
A.,  Alexander  H.  In  ISiU,  i\lr.  P>ritton  removed  to  Richland 
County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  instrumental  in 
building  the  church  at  Fairview,  and  still  continues  to  be  an  active 
worker  "in  the  church.  He  was  engaged  in  Olney,  Richland  County, 
a  considerable  time  in  the  mercantile  trade,  but  depreciation  of 
values  and  the  panic  of  bS73  caused  him  to  fail  in  the  sum  of 
?>iG,O00.  He  has  since  paid  this  iudebteihiess,  princii)al  and  inter- 
est. Mr.  Britton  is  emphatically  a  working  man,  and,  as  a  Chris- 
tian gentleman  and  worthy  citizen,  is  highly  esteemed  by  the 
communitvat  large. 

^V.  U.  BUNN  was  bora  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  June  3, 
1838,  and  was  one  of  ten  chiklren  of  Rev.  Benjamin  and  Margaret 
(Hyatt)  Bunn,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  but  emigrated  in 
1804,   soon   after  their  marriage,    to  Ohio,  where  they  lived  until 


IJOM'AS     lONNN'SHII'.  Xll 

the  fall  of  l.SoS,  wlien  tliov  iiiovod  to  Illinois,  sfttlini:'  in  Richland 
Countv.  I)ia'hii>-  the  war  of  1812.  a  fort  was  erected  on  Rev.  linnn's 
farm  to  protect  them  from  the  Indians.  The  first  steam  tlonrinLT 
mills  in  Richland  (^onntv  were  built  by  Rev.  I>.  Bnnn,  who  owns  ()()(► 
acres  of  land  in  this  locality.  In  ISaH  he  tleeded  one  hnndred  acres 
to  his  son,  the  snbject  of  this  sketch,  who  erected  a  cabin  upon  it.  I  ii 
18()(X  W.  IJ.  married  Sarah  ,1.  Smith.  One  (lnui;hter  has  been 
born  to  them.  He  now  owns  200  iicres  of  land,  180  acres  im[)ro\ed, 
with  tine  dwcdlino-.  connnodious  barns,  and  other  out  buildino-.s. 
Mr.  Bunn  has  been  Supervisor  of  the  townshi|)  two  terms,  and  is 
now  school  treasurer,  Mr.  Bmni  has  ufrcat  skill  as  a  hunter,  hav- 
ing" killed  as  many  as  a  hundi'cd  (h'ov  in  one  year,  pi'oviuii' a  source 
of  considerable  revenue. 

JOHN     BYERS,      farmer,     was      ])orn      in      Rush     County, 
Ind.,    on  .lanuary  8,    1827.       He    worked     on    his     father's    farm 
and    was   eno-ai^ed  lari>'ely   in    teamino^,    during  his   minority.     At 
the    age     of     seven     years     he      moved      with     his     parents    to 
Hamiltt)n      County,     Ohio,     where      they     remained       until     the 
spring  of  184."),  when  they  removed   to  Knox   County,  Ind.,  twelve 
miles  from  Vinc(;nnes,  where  his  father  bought  a   farm  of  180  acres, 
on  which  he  worked  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.     His  fathei' 
gave    him  nothing  but   good  advice    when  he  commenced    life   for 
himself,  and,  following   his   parent's   counsel,    his  life  etforts    have 
resulted  in    pleasant    surroundings    and   a   comfortable  and   hap})y 
home.     He    tirst  leased    a  small   quantitv  of  land  and   engan'cd  in 
farming  and  Hat-boating.     In  the  autumn  of  I8r)2    he  came  to  Rich- 
land (bounty  and  entered  137  acres  of  land,  then   n  wilderness,  but 
now  a  farm  whi(di  will   compare  favorably  with    any  in    the  town- 
ship, as  to  buildings    and    improvements.      A    fine   house,  which  he 
built  during  the  Avar,  on   danuary  2.").    bsso,  Avas  entirely  destroyed 
by  fire.     The  house  cost    $1,800;  insurance  $U0O.     His  present  resi- 
dence cost  $1,600;  his  barn,    tOx')8,   cost   |700;  machine-house  and 
other  buildings  cost  $150.     His  farm  is  stocked  Avith   seven    head   of 
horses,  tAventv-five  head  of  cattle,  thirtv  sheep,  etc.     Mr.  Bvers  has 
held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace    lor  tAvelve  years;  Avas  on  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors   from    18l)o  to   186(1.     During  the  Avar 
he  was  appointed  one  of  three  connuissioners   to  raise    the  bounty 
war  fund,  and  go  to  Springfield  and  [)ay  the  soldiers  who  were  mus- 
tered into  the  service.     On    September    28,  1S')4,  he  Avas  married  to 
Rebecca  Boyd,  of  Knox  ('ounty,  Ind.      Six  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  viz.:  Marv  M.   (uoav    Mrs.    Currv)   Harriet    K.    (uoav    jVIrs. 
Clodfelter)  John  B.,  Clara  A.,  Mattic>  L.  And  Luther  P.     Mr.  Byers 
is  a  man  who  kee})s  himself  well  informed  in  the  a  Hairs  of  the  day; 
and  as  to  honesty  and  integrity,  no  man  in  the  county  has  a  better 
standing.     He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the    Methodist    Episco- 
pal Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOSEPH  EAGLESON  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
on  August  14,  1833,  and  Avas  raised  there  on  a  farm.  In  18.54  he 
Avent    to  California,  and   returned  to  Ohio  in    is.'iii.  coming  in    the 


81?(  BIOGH.VrHICAL    SKETCHKS— UKJIII.AM)    COUNTY  : 

iiiitnmii  of  that  year  to  Bonpas  Township,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  where 
he  purchased  ninety-four  acres  of  land  and  built  a  house,  24x5H. 
This  house  he  has  since  remodeled,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
attractive  residences  in  this  section  of  the  country.  Its  cost  was 
about  $1,.")00.  His  barn  Avas  built  in  180"),  and  cost  about  $800.  He 
now  owns  174  acres  of  land,  about  12.")  acres  of  which  arc  under 
cultivation.  He  was  married  on  June  2G,  18(J0,  to  Martha  A.  Spen- 
cer, who  was  born  on  November  27,  1840,  in  Guernsey  County, 
Ohio.     They  have  nine  children,  three  sons  and  six  dauirhters. 

LOKENZ  FKIEDLY  was  born  April  23,  1828,  in  Switzerland, 
and  is  the  son  of  Lorenz  Friedly,  who  came  to  Richland  County, 
Ohio,  in  1844,  remaining-  thereabout  eicfht  ye^irs,  and  in  18,52  came 
to  Richland  Countv,  111.,  and  settled  about  nine  miles  north  of 
Olney.  They  lived  there  six  years,  wh(ni  his  father  died,  in  1859, 
aged  seventy-three  yetirs,  and  his  mother  in  1873,  aged  eighty-three 
years.  In  1858  he  came  to  this  farm,  consisting  then  of  seventy 
acres,  but  he  now  owns  107  acres,  about  seventy  acres  of  Avhich  is 
improved.  ]Mr.  Friedly  enlisted  in  August,  1861,  in  Company  D, 
Eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  three  years  and  seventeen  days. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Henry,  Tenn.,  Shiioh,  Port 
Gibson,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Miss.,  Champion  Hill,  charge  at  Vicks- 
burg  and  others,  and  was  mustered  out  as  Corporal.  He  was  mar- 
ried on  January  30,  185S,  to  Mar""aret  Abbnhl,  who  w;is  born  in 
Switzerland,  July  28,  18351.  They  had  two  children,  one  living, 
Gilbert  L.  J.  Tliey  lost  Margaret  J.  in  1872,  in  lier  eio-hth  year. 
They  are  members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

]\nCPTVEL  FORNEY  was  born  in  Somerset  County,  Tenn., 
on  January  14,  1811.  When  live  years  of  age  he  moved  with  his 
father  to  Broth(?r's  Valle}^  Township,  where  the  latter  owned  about 
200  acres  of  land,  and  he  assisted  his  father  on  this  farm  until  he 
attained  his  majority,  when  he  took  up  tlu^  coopers'  trade,  which  he 
followed  about  twelve  years,  working  at  the  trade  during  the 
winter,  and  on  the  farm  the  summer  seasons.  He  jjiu'chased  a  farm 
of  283  acres,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1835  he  moved  to  this  farm.  In 
1857  he  traded  this  land  for  the  farm  he  now  occupies;  coming  to 
Richland  County  in  1858,  he  built  his  house,  which  cost  about 
$1,000;  in  1851»  he  built  his  barn,  84x40,  which  also  cost  about 
$1,000;  in  18()1  he  built  a  cider-press,  and  during  that  year  made 
over  3,000  bushels  of  apples  into  cider.  On  February  1(),  1834,  he 
was  married  to  Rachel  Horner,  who  was  born  May  2,  1817,  and  who 
died  March  4,  1S7 1.  Mr.  Forney  is  a  German  liaptist  pre;icher, 
iiaving  connnenced  this  work  in  September,  1(S57,  and  has  since 
been  activel}' engaged  in  it.  The  first  communion  service  was  held 
in  his  barn,  in  1851),  there  being  twenty-seven  communicants.  Their 
membership  here  now  is  about  sixty.  Ten  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Forney.  Eight  of  these  are  living,  viz.:  Mary  (now 
Mrs.  Smoker,  living  in  Fennsylvania); Samuel  M.(now  in  Nebraska); 
Eflward  (living  in  Ogle  County,  111.);  Sallie  (now  iSIrs.  Snoveley, 
livingin  Nebraska  )•.  John  M.  (managingthe  old  farm);  Susanna  (now 


itoM'As    rowNsmr.  ^li' 

Mi-s.  Rothrk'k,  livino:  in  Nebniska);  Catharine  A.  (now  Mrs.  Frini- 
nion,  of  Mc'Loan  County,  111.)  :ni(l  Amanda,  also  of  McLean 
County,  111. 

IlExNKY  11.  IIARM.VN  was  horn  in  Daviess  County,  Intl.,  on 
April  21,  1H3H.  When  ahout  nine  years  ot  a«rc  he  went  with  his 
j)arents  to  Missouri,  reniainiuif  there  two  yeai-s  ;  then,  in  1844, 
they  came  to  Richland  County,  and  settled  in  Olney  Township- 
He  assisted  his  father  at  farmini;-  till  the  aac  of  twenty- four,  when 
he  married  and  settled  on  his  present  farm,  consistina'  of  KU)  acres. 
His  first  purchase  was  forty  acres,  addini^  to  this  as  his  means 
would  allow.  He  had  nothiui^-  when  he  commenced  here,  but  he 
now  has  a  conifortable  house,  built  in  ISSO,  which  cost  him  about 
$1,100,  and  a  barn,  40x.3(),  built  in  Is?;},  which  cost  al)Out  $700. 
He  first  made  his  start  by  working-  in  a  mill  four  miles  w^est  of 
Olney,  ownied  by  Sylvester  Utterback.  After  his  day's  Avork  was 
finished,  on  Saturdays,  he  walked  h(mie,  a  distance  of  fourteen 
miles.  During"  this  time  his  wife  was  ill,  which  illness  cost  him,  for 
medical  attendau'c,  over  $200.  Mr.  llarman  is  a  thrivinof,  indus- 
trious farmer,  and  very  nnich  respected  by  the  community. 

J.  D.  HUNDLEY  (deceased)  was  born  in  Viririnia,  on  June 
24,  1827,  and  died  on  March  2'),  1881.  When  a  child  his  parents 
removed  to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  received  his  early 
training.  In  the  spring  ot  18,')8  became  to  Richlaml  C(nmty,  III., 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  in  Olney  Township, 
where  he  lived  five  years.  In  l<s()3  he  sold  this  farm,  came  to 
Fairview,  and  engaged  extensively  in  the  mercantile  trade,  contiiiu- 
in<>-in  this  business  seven  years.  It  w^as  principally  his  efforts  which 
induced  the  P.,  I),  c^ic  E.  R.*R.  Co.  to  come  to  Fairview.  He  held  the 
office  of  postmaster  there  for  several  years.  In  1870  he  bought  the 
Reed  farm,  consisting  of  oOO  acres,  200  acres  of  wdiich  are  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  On  April  Ki,  1X58,  he  was  married  to  Amy 
Harris,  of  Highland  County,  Ohio.  She  was  born  November  1). 
ISH.S.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  vi/.  :  Jesse,  Charles 
H.,  Martha  J.,  Mary  and  Melissa. 

J.  S.  KIMMEL  was  born  September  30,  1827,  in  Craw  lord 
County,  Ohio,  and  when  J.  S.  was  about  one  year  old,  his  father  died. 
He  then  was  taken  by  his  grandfather  who  reared  him.  There  he 
remained  till  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he  w^orked  by  the  month 
about  two  years,  and  was  then  apprenticed  to  the  carpenters'  trade, 
which  he  followed  about  tw^elve  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
Mr.  Kimmel  w^as  married  to  Rebecca  Chilcate,  who  w^as  'horn  Janu- 
ary 24,  1830,  in  (.'rawford  (>)unty,  Ohio.  Nine  children  bless  this 
niiion — Jane  (now^  Mrs.  Jackson),  Eliza  A.  (now  Mrs.  Simons), 
Mary  (now  Mrs.  Kissinger),  William  F..  Henry  C,  (Jharles,  James, 
George,  and  Alice.  Mr.  K.  continued  the  carpenter  trade  in  his 
native  State  one  year,  then  removed  to  Allen  County,  Ind.,  and  there 
carried  on  farming  about  eighteen  months.  In  18r)3  he  moved  to 
Iroquois  County,  111.,  and  farmed  there  three  years,  then  moving  to 
De  Kalb  County,  Ind.,  wdiere  he  remainc^d  one  summer,  and  returned 


82(»  I'.KKJKAPHICAL    .SKETCHES — i;i(  III.AM)    COlNTV: 

to  Allou  County,  IiuL,  t'iirnied  there  two  voars,  tlieu  moved  to  Willis 
County,  Ind.,  wliore  he  ran  a  sri'i^^t  mill  al^out  two  years,  then 
moved  to  Huntinijton  County,  and  bouiiht  a  mill  site  and  carried  on 
that  business  there  about  three  years.  In  1<S(>(),  Mr.  Kimmel  came 
to  Richland  County,  tirst  bouo'ht  IHO  acres  and  now  owns  o(i;")  acres 
of  land,  about  2'M)  of  Avhicli  are  improved.  His  house,  which  is  one 
of  the  best  in  the  Townshi}),  was  built  in  l'S77,  and  cost  al)out 
$2,01)0.  He  also  built  a  laroe  and  commodious  barn  in  1872,  which 
cost  about  $1,000.  AVlien  raisino-  the  frame  of  this  barn,  a  timber 
slipped  from  the  mortise  causina"  the  frame  to  fall,  injurinii'  two  men 
who  were  assisting!"  at  the  raisinii'.  One  of  these  men,  Peter  McNair, 
is  a  near  neighboi',  now  in  his  ciohty-fourth  year,  and  still  enjoys 
excellent  health. 

CAPTAIN  E.  R.  LIXDSEY  is  a  native  of  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,  born  in  November,  iSoO.  He  Avas  raised  there  on  a  farm. 
From  the  time  he  was  sixteen  to  the  time  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age,  he  worked  at  the  blacksmiths'  trade.  In  1853  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, but  returned  to  Ohio  in  1857,  and  enoaofcd  in  farmino-  until 
the  breaking:  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  M,  Fifth 
Missouri  Cavalry,  and  served  about  one  year  in  that  regiment.  He 
was  w^ounded  near  Grand  Junction  Avliile  on  picket  duty.  After  his 
return  from  the  hospital,  he  was  promoted  Cajitain  and  transferred 
to  Compan}^  G,  Seyenth  Ohio.  This  company'  was  recruited  by 
Sapt.  Ferguson,  who  resii>ned  on  account  of  physical  disability. 
Capt.  Lindsey  returned  to  Ohio  in  18(i4,  and  engaged  in  teaming  and 
handling  coal.  In  1SG9  he  came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  and  pur- 
chased fifty-three  acres  of  land,  \vhere  he  now  lives.  In  the  spring 
of  1875  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  was  engaged  Avith  the  Cincinnati 
Transfer  (Jompan}',  but  returned  to  his  farm  in  the  spring  of  188H. 
He  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  from  1871  to  1873;  was  also  Town- 
ship Treasurer  two  years. 

J.  R.  LINDSAY  is  a  native  of  Bonpas  Township,  Richland 
Co..  111.  After  attending  the  district  schools  in  his  locality,  he  went 
to  Olney  and  attended  the  Normal  School  there.  He  now  holds  four 
certificates  for  teaching  school,  and  is  at  present  teaching  in  District 
No.  1,  Bonpas  Township,  being  now  on  his  second  year.  His  father, 
Milton  C.  Lindsay,  served  in  the  late  war  and  died,  in  1.S73,  from 
disease  contracted  in  the  army.  His  mother,  Mrs.  Benninger,  is 
now  a  resident  of  Fairview,  this  county. 

-  -JOHN  ^^^  MATTOON,  M.  D.  (deceiised),  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, born  in  IHOl.  His  parents  remoyed  to  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  in  l.SOO.  His  father  being  a  |)hysician,  he  studied  medicine 
with  him,  and  graduated  from  the  Worthington  jNIedical  College, 
Ohio,  on  April  4,  1834.  He  then  practiced  in  difierent  places  in 
Ohio,  also  in  Crawford  (\)unty.  III.,  where  he  also  examined  appli- 
cants for  teachers'  certificates.  In  1857  he  came  to  the  farm  which 
the  family  now  occupies.  He  first  bought  eighty  acres,  but  they 
now  own  158  acres,  120  of  which  are  imder  cultivation.  He  died  on 
October  3, 187!».     In  183:5  he  Avas  married  to  Charlotte  Penney,  who 


li(J.\J*.V.S    TOWNSIIll'.  .'^21 

was  born  on  Octobov  .3,  1807,  in  Worthiniiton.  Ohio.  Xino  children 
were  born  to  them,  seven  of  whom  are  living;  Eugene  and  Charles 
Edwin  now  manage  the  old  farm.  Eugene  has  been  Township 
Collector  and  School  Director. 

HENRY  D.  RIDGELY  was  born  on  May  .s,  l,Si;3,  in  Virginia. 
When  a  child  he  came  to  Wabash  County,  111.,  with  his  parents,  and 
was  raised  there  on  ;i  farm,  assisting  his  father  till  the  nge  of  tAventy- 
one.  lie  then  took  u[)  the  coopers"  trade,  which  he  followed  forseveral 
y<;ai's,  after  Avhich  he  purchased  240  acres  of  land,  selling  it  after- 
wards, and  in  1838  coming  to  this  section.  On  his  arrival  here  he 
bought  1()0  acres  of  land,  and  during  the  war  he  owned  (wer  1,(500 
acres,  lie  has  probably  handled  more  land  than  any  other  man  in 
the  eoimty.  In  1839  he  was  married  to  Irena  Harrison,  who  was 
born  in  Wabash  County,  in  1822.  Ten  (diildren,  eight  of  whom  are 
living,  htive  been  born  to  them — two  sons  and  six  daughters — as  fol- 
l()ws,"to  wit :  Rol)ert  (now  a  merchant  at  Parkersburg,  this  county); 
John  (an  assistant  on  the  farm);  Sarah  E.,  ]Mary  (now  Mrs.  James 
Parker);  Ellen  (now  Mrs- Talley);  Hannah  (now  Mrs.  Michaels); 
Nancy  Ann  (now  Mrs.  Smith);  Elsie  J.  (now^  Mrs.  Staninger).  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ridgely  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

T.  J.  ROUSH  was  born  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  on  August 
2!l,  1841,  and  when  a  child  came  Avith  his  parents  to  Richland 
County,  111.  Here  he  received  his  training,  and  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in 
(.•onipany  K,  Twenty-First  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  about  three 
years.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Corinth,  Stone  River,  Per- 
ryville,  and  others.  At  the  battle  of  Stone  River  he  was  wounded 
by  a  niinie  ball  in  the  thigh.  Since  his  return  from  the  army  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  owns  180  acres  of  land,  fifty  acres 
of  which  are  improved.  In  March,  1S(;5,  he  married  Elizabeth  E. 
Key,  of  Fairview.  Five  childi-en  have  been  born  to  them,  viz.: 
Oeorge,  Mattie,  Luella,  Ada  and  Chester. 

GILBERT  R.  SLOVER  Avas  born  on  January  13,  LSI  5,  in  Gib- 
son County,  Ind.  When  he  Avas  about  eight  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Warrick  County,  Ind.,  Avhere  they  lived  six  years.  In 
182!)  they  came  to  Coles  County,  III.,  lived  there  one  year  then 
removed  to  Wayne  County,  Avhei-e  they  lived  three  years,  thence  to 
Wabash  County,  where  his  father  died,  in  the  autunni  of  1.S33,  aged 
fifty-six  years. "  His  lather  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  holding  a  Cai> 
tain's  commission.  During  his  later  years  he  taught  school,  being 
unfit  for  actiAc  business  in  consecpience  of  long-continued  illness. 
After  his  father's  death,  Gilbert  Avorked  to  sui)port  the  family,  and 
in  I83*t  came  to  his  present  locality,  settling  on  this  land,  but  hav- 
ing no  means.  He  soon  earned  sufficient  money  to  enter  forty 
acres,  and  he  added  to  it,  from  time  to  time,  until  he  had  accumu- 
lated 200  acres,  120  of  which  he  has  given  to  his  children.  He 
retains  the  homestejid  with  eighty  acres,  sixty-five  of  which  are 
under  cultivation.  For  many  years  after  they  came  here  they  lived 
on  ffanie  and  corn  meal.     The  meal  he  received  as  compensation  for 


822  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — RICHLAND    CO  UN  IT  : 

labor  pertbrnied  at  the  mill.  On  January  2.  1S;]7,  he  was  marricil  to 
Sophia  Brown,  who  was  born  in  \\'a bash  County,  111.,  August  2s, 
ISK).  The}'  have  had  six  children  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are 
liyini>-.  Mr.  Slovcr  and  w'ife  are  both  meml)ers  of  the  Christian 
Church,  he  havina-  been  an  elder  in  the  church  several  years. 

MRS.  EUPHP:MIA  TOMBAUGH  is  the  daughte'r  of  Reason 
Ruark  (deceased),  who  was  the  tirst  settler  on  Bonpas  Creek.  Coni- 
iuo"  here  in  1824,  he  entered  and  bought  considerable  land,  and 
enaaired  in  farming,  though  his  time  was  principally  occupied  in 
hunting,  having  killed  as  high  as  160  deer  in  a  year.  His  early  asso- 
ciates in  hunting  ni\'  long  since  dead.  In  1861  he  sold  his  farm,  and 
wdth  Mrs.  Ruark  removed  to  the  Tombaugh  farm,  w^here  she  died,  in 
1863,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  He  resided  here  with  his  daughter 
about  ten  ^--ears.  He  then  re-married,  and  returned  to  his  old  farm, 
being  compelled  to  take  it  back  on  mortgage.  He  died  there  in 
18747  LeAvis  Tombaugh.  husband  of  Mrs.  Euphemia  Tombaugh. 
died  on  January  31,  1881.  Mrs.  Tombaugh  has  three  children  by  for- 
mer marriages,  viz.:  George  Butler,  a  Methodist  minister,  now 
residing  in  "Florida  ;  Elizabeth  J.  (now  Mrs.  Berry)  ;  H.  A. 
Kimmel,  a  graduate  of  the  Carbondale  Normal  School,  in  1879, 
and  now  teaching  school  in  Fairyiew.  George  Butler  served  three 
years  in  the  lateVar.  Mrs.  Tombauglrs  house  w^as  built  in  1878, 
and  cost  $2,000.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  structures  in  this  locality. 
Her  farm  consists  of  200  acres  of  w^ell  improved  land. 

WILLIAM  WALDEN  was  born  in  Jefferson  Rounty,  X.  Y., 
on  January  25,  1820.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  went  with  his 
parents  to  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm.  In  1843  they  moved  to  the  town  of  Homer,  Licking  Co., 
Ohio,  and  in  1853  to  Richland  County,  111.,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  engaged  in  teaching  school,  he  having  taught  ten  years  in 
Ohio,  previous  to  coming  to  Illinois.  He  continued  teaching  here 
until  1880,  since  wdiich  year  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  Be- 
fore he  engaged  in  teaching,  he  attended  different  sessions  of  the 
Normal  School.  In  1845  he  was  married  to  Virginia  O.  Ilurd,  who 
was  born  in  Orange  County,  A"a.,  in  1825.  Eight  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  viz.:  Cephas  L.,  Oliver  L.  (now  in  Kansas), 
Clarissa  E.  (now  Mrs.  Miller),  Norton  E.,  Lawrence  E.,  a  resident 
of  Kansas;  Myron  T.,  Cordelia  E.,  and  John  O.  Mr.  Walden  is 
largely  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  sorghum  sugar  and  syrup. 
He  has  made  as  hioh  as  3,000  oallons  of  syrup  per  year. 

L.  D.  WIHTAKER  was  born  in  Posey  County,  Ind.,  on  April 
8,  1821).  He  w-as  there  raised  and  educated,  and  taught  school 
there  five  terms.  On  July  15,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Martha  J. 
Thomson,  also  of  Posey  County.  After  his  marriage  he  came  to 
Richland  County,  111.,  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  where  he 
now^  resides.  He  came  here  with  nothing,  but  he  has  now  a  very 
comfortable  home,  with  al)out  110  acres  of  his  land  w^ell  impr()ycd. 
He  has  proba])ly  the  finest  private  library  of  any  in  this  part  of  the 
county.     Mrs.  Whitaker  has  borne  her  husband  three  children,  viz.: 


BONPAS    TOWNSHIP. 


s2:i 


Eda  (now  Mrs.  Jackson);  Mae  (now  teachino- school),  and  Page,  at- 
tending school.  Mr.  Wliitakcr  has  taught  four  terms  in  the  school 
Avhere  his  daughter  is  now  teachin<r.'  lie  was  the  iirst  Townshij) 
Collector,  afterward  Assessor  and  Collector,  and  for  several  years 
Township  Trustee.  Pie  and  his  Avife  are  both  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church. 


824  |{IO«15AI'HHVf.    SKKICHKS i;i(  III.AM)    COUNTY 


GERMAN  TOWNSHIP. 

A15RAM  CCnrEKKLL  Mas  horn  .luly  ;U,  LsiU,  in  Hart 
County,  Ky.,  and  when  an  infant  his  parents  took  him  to  now  Rich- 
land County,  and  settled  in  German  Township,  where  he  was  raised. 
lie  eidisted  in  duly,  ISdl,  in  Company  E,  Eh'venth  Missouri  In- 
fantry and  served  his  enlistment  of  three  years,  lie  participated  in 
all  the  battles  in»Mississippi,  Tennessee,  Red  River — in  all  number- 
ino'  sixteen.  Our  subject  was  married  in  18G4  to  Sophia  Beckw  itli, 
of  Crawford  County.  She  died  June  IC),  lS7'2,a<T:ed  forty-one.  They 
had  fourchildren— Asa,  Aden,  Etta  and  Ella.  Mr.  Cotterell  Avas  next 
married  to  Mrs.  C.  Bryan  in  the  fall  of  1S72.  She  was  born  in 
l<So3,  in  Canada.  They'  have  one  son,  Omer  L.,  and  ^Nlrs.  Cotterell 
has  one  dauiihter  by  her  foi-mer  marriai>e.  On  Mr.  Cotterell's 
return  from  the  army  he  lived  on  his  father-in-law's  farm  two  years, 
but  he  now  owns  a  farm  of  820  acres,  whicli  is  improxed  with  the 
best  house  in  the  township.  The  house  cost  about  $2,()()().  Mr. 
Cotterell  was  Township  Collector  in  18(50. 

AVILLIAM  DISHOX  was  born  December  I.').  182:),  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio.  In  18()U  he  came  to  Richland  County  and  settled  in 
German  Township,  lie  enlisted  in  18(31  in  C'Ompany  A,  Sixty-third 
Illinois  Infantry  and  served  three  years  and  four  months,  participat- 
in,i>- in  the  ])attles  of  ^Mission  Rida'<\.  siea'e  of  \'i<'ksl)uru-.  and  with 
Sherman  on  his  ••  March  to  the  Sea,"*  and  others.  .Mr.  Dishou  owns 
one  luuKh'cd  acres  land  where  he  now  resides,  lie  was  nuirried 
duly  (),  1864  to  Mrs.  Thomas  Cotterell.  She  was  born  in  Hardin 
County,  Ky.  They  \rd\o  four  children,  three  dauo-hters  and  one  son. 
]\lr.  Dishon  has  six  children  by  a  former  marria<>-e,  two  sons  and 
four  dauo-hters,  and  Mrs.  Dishon  has  two  children  l)y  a  former  mar- 
ria«-e,  one  son  and  one  daui>hter, 

'GEORGE  IIANES  was  born  on  March  12,  US^J,  in  VovUxgo 
('ountv,  Ohio,  and  was  the  son  of  Anthony  llanes,  who  was  l)orn  in 
Pennsylvania  and  died  in  Ohio.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
raised  by  his  uncle  Daniel  llanes.  They  emii>rated  to  Illinois  in 
1842,  since  which  time  he  has  resided  in  this  locality.  In  1854  he 
bouo-lit  thirty  acres  of  land  and  added  byi)nrchase  other  land  as  fast 
as  his  means  would  allow.  Mr.  llanes  now  owns  100  acres  Avhicli  is 
imjjroved  with  a  comfortable  brick  house,  built  in  1877  and  which 
cost  about  $1,500.  His  barn  was  built  in  1873  and  cost  $(500.  He 
also  has  an  orchard  of  about  three  acres,  and  other  improvements. 
Onr  subject  was  marrieil,  January  1.  18,')7,  to  Sarah  A.  (Jarber.  She 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  This"  union  has  been  blessinl  with  two 
dauiihters,  (twins)'.  Mr.  llanes  has  been  Township  Clerk  six  years 
and  Collector  four  years,  Sui)evvisor  four  years  and  School  Director 
sixteen  vcai's  in  succession. 

IlENRV    EATHKOP    was   born    Mav    17,    1817,   in     Franklin 


GERMAN  TO^VNSIIIP.  825 

County,  Vt.,  and  was  the  son  of  Russell  and  Cynthia  (Powell) 
Lathrop,  natives  of  the  same  county,  June  4, 1«;37.  Heniy  emigrated 
to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and  after  a  residence  there  of  two  years,  he 
bought  a  pony,  saddle  and  bridle,  for  which  he  paid  $55,  giving  his 
note  for  §30  in  part  payment.  Having  then  $30  in  cash  he  i)ro- 
ceedcd  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Lawrence  County,  and  not  far  from 
where  he  now  resides.  He  then  secured  a  position  as  teacher  of  a 
subscription  school,  and  after  following  this  five  months  he  had 
saved  $100,  when  he  returned  to  Indiana,  and  after  assisting 
his  father  to  take  care  of  his  crop,  they  rigged  up  a  covered  wagon 
and  drove  to  Lawrence  County.  His  fiither  entered  eighty  acres 
and  soon  after  returned  to  Indiana.  Henry  bought  eighteen  rods, 
on  which  he  built  a  carding  mill.  This'^he  ran  two  years,  and 
traded  it  for  120  acres,  which  is  part  of  his  present  farm.  On  March 
4,  1841,  his  father  returned  from  Indiana,  and  built  a  house  on  the 
land  he  had  entered,  and  there  lived  sevei-al  years.  Henry's  next 
purchase  was  eighty-seven  acres  near  Claremont,  on  which  he  in- 
tended erecting  a  carding  mill,  but  failed  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements.  He  continued  purchasing  from  time  to  time,  as  his 
means  would  allow,  and  has  owned  at  one  time  as  high  as  1,100 
acres,  and  has  paid  the  highest  tax  of  any  one  in  the  township.  He 
has  given  his  five  sons  each  a  good  improved  farm  of  UK)  acres,  and  to 
his  three  married  daughters"  each  $1,100  in  cash,  besides  he  now 
owns  240  acres  with  the  homestead.  His  house  was  built  in  1867, 
and  cost  about  $2,000,  and  his  barn  cost  about  $800.  He  has  been 
five  years  Townshij)  Supervisor.  j\Ir.  Lathrop  was  married  Sep- 
tember 1,  1844,  to  Kachel  Laws.  She  was  l)orn  in  Lawrence  County, 
111.,  November  8,  1824.  They  had  ten  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  living — Samantha  (wife  of  David  M.  Koney);  Ann  (wife  of  James 
K.  Roney);  Elvira  (wife  of  John  H.  Fee);  Albert,  Charles,  George, 
Henry,  Jr.,  Gilbert  and  Martha.  Mrs.  Lathrop  is  the  daughter  of 
Wm.  Laws,  Sr.,  who  Avas  l)orn  in  North  Carolina,  and  emigrated  to 
Lawrence  County,  111.,  in  1820. 

JACOB  LEWIS,  Jr.,  was  born  June  7,  1830,  in  Lawrence 
County,  111.,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  L.  Lewis,  Sr.,  who  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  on  January  27,  1802,  and  was  reared  in 
Kentucky.  At  an  early  day  he  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Lawrence  County,  where  he  has  since  lived  and  where  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  and  brought  up.  In  18()2  he  Avas  commissioned 
Lieutenant  of  Company  C,  Sixty-Third  Illinois  Infantry,  but  on 
account  of  physical  disability  resigned  in  1864,  when  he  returned  to 
his  farm  in  Lawrence  County.'  In  1<S65  he  sold  that  farm  and 
removed  to  Richmond  County,  where  ho  had  bought  and  improved 
a  farm  of  160  acres  on  the  prairie.  This  he  afterwards  sold 
and,  in  1874,  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  200  acres,  160  acres  of 
which  is  improved.  Mr.  Lewis  was  married,  November  8,  1855,  to 
Angoline  Kvger.  She  was  born  in  L:i\vrencc  County,  111.,  and 
died  in  October,  1857,  aged  twenty-one,  leaving  one  daughter.  Marv 
A.,  now  wife  of  B.  A.  Mountz.     His   second    uiariiai>c  look  place 

50 


S26  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — UICHLAND   COUNTY: 

May  20,  1858,  to  Appia  Laws.  She  was  born  May  10,  1837,  in  Law- 
rence County,  111.  Three  children  have  blessed  this  union,  two  of 
whom  are  livinir,  both  sons. 

AVILLIAM  F.  MUSGROVE.     The   gentleman    whose    name 
heads  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  Richland  County, 
comiuir  here  with  his  parents  in  1820.     He  was  born  July  13,  181(j, 
in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  aud  when  he  was  about  two  years  old  his 
parents  brousfht  him  to  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  and  two  years  later 
removed   to  X/awrence   County,   111.,  and  settled  on  what  is  known 
as  the   Stringtown    Prairie.     Here  AVilliam  was  reared,  and  when 
a  boy,  drove   team   from   Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Evansville,  Ind.,  for 
John   C  Riley,   of  Lawrenceville,    111.,  working   for    him  in   this 
way  for  about  five  years.     He  afterwards  teamed  for  Steward  about 
two  years,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.     In 
about  1838  he  entered  forty  acres  of  land,  adding  from  time  to  time 
by  purchasing  as  he  was  able  to  do  so,  until  he  now  owns  300  acres, 
160  acres  of  which  he  has  under  improvement.     Flies  in  the  early 
time  were  so  numerous,  that  on  riding  a  horse  across  the  prairie,  he 
Avould  drop  instantly  and  roll;  the  rider  would  hurriedly  dismount, 
and  as  the  horse  would  rise,  he  would  as  quickly  remount  and  pro- 
ceed a  short  distance,  when  the  horse   would  again  tall,  continuing 
in  this  way  to  the  end  of  the  journey.     Wheat  was  hauled  to  Evans- 
ville at  37t  cents  a  bushel,  and  pork   sold  at  $1.50  per  100  pounds. 
A  good  cow  could  be  bought  at  that   time   for   $(>.00.     ]Mr.  ]Mus- 
grove  has  been  Township  Commissioner  and  School  Treasurer.     He 
also  packed  the  mails  from  Mount  Carmelto  Lawrenceville,  String- 
town,  St.  Marie,  Newton,  and  to  Greenup   in  Cumberland  County. 
He  was  about  two  years  engaged  in  this  Avork.     He  was  married  in 
1839  to  Martha  Bullard,  of  Illinois;  Mrs.  M.    died   in  July,  1854, 
aged  thirty-eight  years.     Six  chihlren  blessed  this  union,  live  sons 
and  one  daughter.     He  was  next  married  January  22,  1855,  to  ]Mrs. 
Sophia  Burnell,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Sumner,  in  honor  of  whom 
the  town    of  Sumner   was    named.     She  was  born   July  21,  182(5. 
They  have  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters.     His  son, 
John  B.,  served  in  the  late  war. 

S.  A.  POWELL  was  born  on  July  11,  1819,  in  Richford,  Vt., 
and  was  the  son  of  Horace  Powell,  also"  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  carpenter,  aud  also  that  of  tanning,  and  in  1840 
the  family  removed  to  Hambden  County,  Mass.  After  a  residence 
there  of  Jibout  ten  years,  they  removed  to  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y., 
and  in  l'S54,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Richland  County,  and 
settled  on  this  farm.  His  first  purchase  was  eighty  acres,  where  he 
now  lives,  and  he  at  once  commenced  improving  this  land,  and  as 
his  means  would  allow,  bought  other  lands  in  addition.  He  now 
owns  240  acres,  largely  improved.  He  was  married  April  13,  1849, 
to  Susan  Parsons.  She  Avas  born  April  16,  1825,  in  Sharon,  N.  Y. 
This  union  has  been  Idessed  with  four  children — Dewitt  P.,  Clarissa 
M.  and  (Miarles  J.  Henry  died  in  1867,  in  his  sixteenth  year.  Mr. 
Powell  has  been  Overseer  of  the  Poor  two  years.  His  son  Dewitt 
P.  has  l)een,  for  the  past  two  years,  Postmaster  at  Amity. 


OEUMAN    TOWNSHIP.  ^27 

L.  I).  ROXEY  was  honi  September  17,  1840,  in  Coshocton 
County,  Ohio,  and  in  IHoli,  the  family  emif,n"ite(l  to  Illinois  and  set- 
tled in'  Rirhland  County.  His  father  died'  December  31,  1«80,  aged 
sixty-seven  years.  L.  D.  enlisted,  in  July,  ISIU,  in  Company  K, 
Eleventh  INIissouri  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He 
participated  in  the  l)attle  of  Ishmd  No.  10,  siege  of  Corinth,  battle 
of  luka,  second  battle  of  Corinth,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Spanish  Fork 
and  others.  On  his  re-enlistment  in1[)ecember,  18()4,  he  was  c()m- 
missionod  Lieutenant,  and  later  was  promoted  to  Captain,  which 
commission  he  heUi  till  mustered  out  at  the  (dose  of  the  war.  He 
then  returned  to  German  Township,  where  he  has  since  followed 
farming;  he  now  occupies  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  his  father, 
and  which  consists  of  l'}2  acres.  He  married  in  Sei)tember,  1<S71,  E. 
Hart.  She  was  born  in  West  Yiroinia.  Two  sons  bless  this  union. 
JAMES  K.  ROXEY  was  born" July  1,  l.s4 4,  in  Coshocton  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Ronej^,  who  Avas  born  in  Harrison 
County,  Ohio.  The  family  came  to  G(>rman  Township,  Richland 
County,  in  IS')!),  and  James  K.  assisted  on  his  lather's  farm  till  the 
breakinjT  out  of  the  war.  He  enlisted,  in  l.S()l,  in  Company  A,  Six- 
tv-Third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Mission  Ridge,  Lookout  ^Mountain, 
Florence,  S.  C,  Avith  Sherman  on  his  "  :\Iarch  to  the  Sea,"  and  others. 
He  then  returned  home  and  has  since  l)een  engaged  in  farming.  Mr. 
Roney  was  married  in  18(i7,to  Ann  Lathrop.  She  was  born  in  Ger- 
man Townshi]).     They  have  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

D.  S.  STIFF  Avas  born  December  22,  1822,  in  Sussex  County, 
N.  J.,  and  at  about  the  age  of  thirteen  came  with  his  parents  to 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  Avhere  his  father  died  in  1848,  aged  sixty-two. 
In  1851,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  Richland  County.  He 
lived  on  a  rented  firm  two  years,  and  in  18:)8,  he  bought  forty  acres 
of  land,  adding  other  lands  by  purchase  as  his  means  Av^ould  alloAV. 
He  now  oAvns  a  farm  of  ninety  acres,  which  is  improved.  He  has  a 
very  comfortable  house  built  in  1883,  and  Avhich  cost  about  $800, 
and  his  barn  built  in  1871),  cost  about  $500.  He  has  also  an  orchard 
of  about  tAVO  acres,  and  otherwise  pleasant  surroundings.  ]SIr.  St  ill 
has  held  the  otlice  of  Constable  about  seven  years,  and  S(diool  Direc- 
tor about  twelve  years.  He  was  married  January  28,  1S44,  toSai-ah 
Stoltz.  She  Avas  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  They  have  seven  ^ 
children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters.  LcAvis  M.  and  William  W. 
sensed  in  the  late  Avar. 

S A:\1UEL  stoltz  was  born  April  lo,  1835,  in  Richland 
County,  and  Avas  the  son  of  Samuel  Stoltz,  Avho  Avas  born  in  Penn- 
sylvaiiia,  and  came  to  Lawrence  C/Ounty,  in  1^4(5,  and  removed  to 
the  Stringtown  Road  in  1826,  where  "  he  died  in  1.S52,  aged  sixty- 
three.  Samuel,  Jr.  Avas  brouirht  up  on  his  father's  farai,  and  enlisted 
in  1862,  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry. 
He  served  to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Fort  Gibson,  Champion  Hill,  Black  River  and  siege  of  Vicks])urg; 
there  they  fought  forty-seven  days  and  nights,  and  Mr.  Stoltz  was 


^}{iXaJL 


C^  S^A> 


828 


BIOGKAPHICVL,    SKETCHES RICHL.VKD    COUNTY*. 


taken  captive  April  8,  1804,  at  the  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  held  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  Tyler,  Texas,  till  the  close  of  the  struggle;  he 
then  returned  and  here  engaged  in  farming  ever  since.  In  i<S;3-l,  he 
bouo'ht  forty  acres  of  hind,-\vhich  he  went  in  del)t  for,  ])uthe  now  owns 
Slllicres,  which  is  improved;  he  built  a  house  and  barn,  which  cost 
about  $1,300,  and  other  improvements.  :SIr.  Stoltz  married,  in 
1854,  Susan  Gillasi)ie.  She  was  born  in  Indiana.  They  have  live  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  one  daughter. 


PRE.STON     TOWN.siIU'. 


829 


PRESTON   TOWNSHIP. 

ELIZABETH  C0:MBS  is  the  widow  of  Abner  R.  Combs.  He  was 
born  April  2,  ISIO,  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  and  learned  thclioot 
and  shoe  trade.  Tliis  he  followed  winters,  rarryinir  on  the  brick-making 
business  during-  summers,  which  he  continued  to  do  till  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  Auo-ust  8,  1841,  to  Elizabeth  Smyzer,  of  Clermont 
County,  Ohio.  She  was  born  August  12, 1817.  They  had  ten  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  are  living,  four  of  these  children  died  m  infancy. 
JohnAV.  died  April  15, 18(J7,  in  his  twenty-second  year;  Mali ssa  A. 
died  February  2H,  1879,  aged  thirtv-one  yeai-s,and  their  surviving  chil- 
dren are  Mary  J.,  Alex.  Jackson,  Percival  P.  and  Elma.  Mr.  Coml)S 
still  continued  this  business  till  186.5,  when  he  came  to  Preston 
Township,  bouirht  two  farms  of  about  400  acres,  and  made  extensive 
improvements,  consistiuo-  in  part  of  a  very  comfortable  two-story 
house,  which  cost  $2,000;  a  barn,  costing  $1,000,  and  a  granary,  cost- 
ing $400,  making  this  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  this  locality.  He  died 
October  26,  1882,  in  his  seventv-third  year,  and  respected  by  all. 

FREDERICK  GRUXEISEX  was  born  in  Switzerland,  May 
10,  1844.  His  father,  Jacob  Gruneisen,  was  born  in  Switzerland, 
February  14, 1804,  and  in  1848  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in 
Richland  County,  III.,  and  began  farming  on  a  rented  farm,  but  soon 
saved  enough  to  buy  100  acres,  and  at  hi^,  death  owned  a  tine  farm 
of  200  acres,  where  our  subject  now  lives.  His  death  occurred  Sep- 
tember 15, 1880.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  Switzerland,  in 
1846.  Mr.  Gruneisen  has  been  twice  married;  on  June  18,  1864, 
to  Louisa  Faitz,  a  native  of  Switzerland.  She  was  born  in  1848,  and 
died  ]\Iarch  12,  1869.  They  had  one  child,  Louisa.  He  was  next 
married,  in  1871,  to  Susanna  Burgner,  who  was  born  September  28, 
1854.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them — IVIattie,  Jacob,  Ma- 
tilda, Caroline  and  Rosinia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gruneisen  are  members  of 
the  Reformed  (Unirch,  and  Mr.  Gruneisen  is  a  Democrat. 

W.  W.  KERMICLE,  Dundas,  Postmaster  and  merchant,  was 
born  in  Hardino-  Countv,  Ky.,  March  7,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Sam- 
uel and  Mary  j;(  Trainer)  Kermicle,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  the  mother  of  Viririnia.  ^Nlr.  Kermicle,  our  subject,  was  raised 
on  a  tarm  in  Kentuckv  until  a  man  grown,  receiving  a  limited  com- 
mon school  education!!  In  1849,  he  married  Sarah  iSIcDowell,  a  na- 
tive of  Hart  Countv,  Ky.,  and  in  1853,  they  moved  to  Richland 
County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  the  town  of  Dundas.  He  improved 
the  land,  and  in  1877,  removed  to  Dundas,  where  he  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  business,  with  a  Mr.  Sumner.  This  firm  continued 
standing  till  1880,  when  it  became  Kermicle  &  M(A\  illianis.  Mrs. 
KermicTc  died  in  1875,  the  mother  of  seven  children,  of  whom  only 
two  are  livino-— Peter  and  ]Mair£rie.  Mr.  Kermicle's  present  wife, 
Mary  A.  Crow,  is  a  native  of  Bullitt  County,  Ky.     He  is  a  Republican. 


830  BIOGKAPJIIC.U.    .SK?:TCHE.S KICHLAND    COUNTY: 

GEORGE  W.  LEAF  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
in  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  INIary  (Turner)  Leaf.  George 
W.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  He 
beinm  life  for  himself  at  twenty-one  years  of  age;  his  vocation  being 
that  of  a  farmer.  In  1854,  Mr.  Leaf"^removed  to  Richland  County, 
and  settled  on  land  he  had  bought  in  that  year.  He  now  owns  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  Preston  Township,  consisting  of  4,50  acres,  with 
good  buildings  and  the  land  well  improved,  and  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.  January  18,  1S52,  he  married  Nancy,  the  daughter  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Moore.  She  was  born  in  Clernumt 
County,  Ohio,  January  24,  1832.  Seven  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  four  daughters  and  three  sons,  viz.:  Albina  (Mc Williams), 
Sarah  E.(Phillips),  Eva  L.  (Tippit),  Jennie( Roland),  James  H.,  Isaac 
and  Henry.  Mr.  Leaf 's  daughters  have  all  married  well-to-do  and 
hio-hly  respected  gentlemen  of  Richland  County;  and  for  himself, 
he  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial 
farmers  of  the  county. 

THOMAS  LEAF,  former,  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,Ohio,  Oc- 
tober 2.5,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Turner)  Leaf.  The 
tather  ^^•as  born  in  1800,  and  married  when  he  was  twenty-one,  his 
wife  being  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  a  native  of  Clermont  County, 
Ohio.  She  died  June  3,  1850,  and  her  husband  about  the  year  1871. 
Mr.  Leaf,  our  subject,  came  to  Richland  County  in  1855,  where  he 
began  life  for  himself  as  a  farmer,  and  by  industry  and  economy  has 
accumulated  a  fine  farm  of  405  acres.  On  September  9,  1858,  he  mar- 
ried :Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Abio^ail  (Farris)  Colvin.  She 
was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  April  5,  1839,  and  died  March 
10,  1869.  To  them  were  born  five  children:  Henry,  Peter,  Will- 
iam, John  (deceased),  and  Albert.  Our  subject  married  again  Sep- 
ember  30,  1869,  choosing  Xancy  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Eliza 
(Bat&s)  Shepherd.  She" was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  on  April 
1,  1840.  To  them  were  born  five  children — Charles,  Robert,  Laura, 
Clements  and  Hugh.  Mr.  Leaf  is  a  most  substantial  farmer,  a  good 
citizen  and  liberal  in  politics. 

WILLIAM  McWILLIAMS  was  born  in  Guernsey  County, 
Ohio,  December  30,  1819,  and  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  eight 
children  born  to  George  and  Jane  (Hawkins)  McWilliams,  the 
father  a  native  of  Saint'  Chiir  County,  Ohio.  In  1839  the  family 
moved  to  Richland  County,  111.,  where  they  entered  laud  and  began 
to  build  a  home.  ]Mr.  McAVilliams  died  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  and  his  wife  in  the  sixty-fourth  yenr  of  her  age.  They 
were'  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Our  sub- 
ject at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  began  farming  for  himself  on 
"forty  acres  of  land  giveii  him  by  his  father.  By  hard  labor  and 
with  the  hel])  of  an  industrious  wife  he  has  accumulated  a  farm  of 
305  acres.  He  was  married,  in  1S41,  to  Matilda  H.,  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Sarah  (Lawrence)  Phillips,  who  are  old  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  county.  Mrs.  Phillips  was  l)orn  May  7,  1823,  and 
came  to  this  comity  with  her  parents  in  1826.     To  this  couple  have 


I'HK.STON      TOWNSIIII'.  ,S;^1 

been  born  nine  children— Richard,  who  served  in  the  hite  rebellion, 
George,  Catherine  (Mrs.  Flemino:),  Hugh,  Mary  (Mrs.  Zirkel,  de- 
ceased), William,  Martha  (Mrs.  Kylo),"  Lu  airs.  Mathews)  and 
Matilda.  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  McWilliams  have  been  industrious  people. 
Her  mother  being  an  invalid,  Mrs.  McW.  performed  most  of  the  house- 
hold duties.  She  also  did  the  spinning  when  so  small  that  she  was 
obliged  to  stand  upon  a  block  of  wood  in  order  to  do  so.  Mr.  Mc- 
Williams split  rails  for  $3  a  thousand,  and  also  had  to 
take  his  wheat  to  market  a  distance  of  eighty-five  miles,  where  he 
sold  it  at  50  cents  per  bushel  in  trade.  They  are  both  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  highly  respected.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

T.  G.  PHILLIPS  was  born  in  White  County,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber 24,  1815,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Lawrence) 
Phillips,  the  father  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  mother  of  Ten- 
nessee.    In  1<S2()  they  moved    to   Richland  County,  111.,  and   settled 

on  what   is  known    as  "  Calhoun  Prairie."     Their  children  Avere 

Thomas,  James,  Nancy  (deceased),  John  (deceased),  :\latilda, 
William,^  Austin,  David  (deceased),  Polly,  Lucetta  (deceased). 
Our  subject  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  began  life  for 
himself,  working  on  land  entered  from  the  'Government. 
After  years  of  hardships  and  toil  he  has  accumulated  a  fine 
farm  consisting  of  172  acres.  On  December  9,  1840,  he  man-ied 
Margaret,  daughter  of  George  and  Jane  (Hawkins)  McWilliams. 
She  was  a  native  of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  on 
August  22,  1823.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and  mother,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  until  her  death,  which  took  place 
December  8,  1876.  To  them  were  born— Martin  L.,  Lavina,  Thomas 
T.,  James,  Ettie  J.  and  John  R.  Mr.  Phillips  joined  the  Methodist 
Church  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  is  still  a  member.  He  is  a 
highly  esteemed  man  and  Republican. 

A.  R.  PHILLIPS  was  born  in  Richland  Countv,  111.,  on  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  [Sarah  (Lawrence) 
Phillips.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  At  the  ao-e  of 
twenty-three  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  eighty  acres  of  land, 
for  which  he  paid  $500,  and  by  industry  and  economy  he  has  bought 
a  farm  near  the  old  homestead,  consisting  of  22S  acres,  which  is  un- 
der a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Jaiuiary  3,  1850,  he  marri(Ml  Mary 
C,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  L.  and  Annie  (Cheek)  West,  who  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  the  county,  liaving  come  here  in  1826. 
Mr.  West  seiwcd  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  shot  by  the  Indians  in 
the  battle  of  Tipi)ecanoe.  The  Avound  came  near  proving  fatal,  and 
by  it  he  lost  i)art  of  iiis  tongue  and  his  upper  teeth,  also  reccivhio"  a 
wound  in  the  shoulder.  During  the  war  he  served  under  G(mi.  Har- 
rison. The  latter  part  of  Mr.  VW'st's  life  was  passed  as  a  Methodist 
exhorter,  and  he  died  December  5,  1849.  Mrs.  PJiillips  was  born  in 
Gibson  County,  Ind.,  May  4,  1823.  To  Mr.  Phillips  and  wife  have 
been  born  the  following  children — McKendree  (deceased),  Sarah  E. 
(deceased),  Albert  M.,   Elizabeth    A.    (deceased),   Ida   J.,  Edwin 


832 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES KICHLAND    COUNTY: 


A.,  Allison  T.  and  Ina  C.  The  parents  are  both  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  Mr.  Phillips  having  joined  the  church 
at  the  age  of  sixteen ;  they  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in 
which  they  live. 

ADAM  SHERER  was  born  in  Germany,  on  May  22,  1832, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  A.  and  Louisa  (Ketring)  Sherer,  who  emi- 
grated to  Ohio  in  1836,  and  settled  in  Stark  County,  where  they 
lived  four  years,  and  in  1840  came  to  Richland  County,  and  bought 
seventy  acres  of  unimproved  land,  and  by  hard  work  and  economy 
they  owned  at  the  father's  death,  in  1870,  500  acres  of  well  improved 
land.  Adam  began  life  for  himself  in  1854,  and  he  has  a  fine  farm 
of  400  acres,  with  good  buildings  and  farm  well  improved.  He  has 
been  twice  married.  In  1854  he  married  Annie  Von  Aliman,  who 
was  born  in  Switzerland,  in  1833,  and  died  in  1863.  Two  children 
were  born  to  them,  Elizabeth  and  John  F.  In  18G4  Mr.  Sherer 
married  Elizabeth  Deitrick,  who  was  born  in  Switzerland,  in  1843. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them — Annie,  Henry,  Thomas, 
John  A.  and  Robert.  Mr.  Sherer  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  and  Mr.  Sherer  is  a  Democrat. 


ffir/\. 


DENVER    TOWNSHIP.  ^33 


DENVER     TOWNSHIP. 

SILAS  CLOUD,  fjirmei-  and  school  teacher,  was  boni  in  Clin- 
ton County,  Ohio,  on  January?,  1833,  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Annn 
(Laymon)' Cloud,  is  next  to  the  youngest  of  seven  children,  and  is 
of  Eiio-lish-German  lineage.  Silas' "parents  were  born  in  the 
Buckeye  State,  and  lived  and  died  in  Clinton  County,  in  that  State. 
Henry  Cloud  died  when  our  subject  was  about  two  years  of  age,  and 
his  wife  was  left  in  meagre  circumstances,  with  her  large 
family;  but  Silas  remained  at  home  and  helped  support  the  family 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  His  education  was  very  limited 
in  youth.  After  he  had  reached  his  twenty-first  year  he  attended 
school  about  three  years,  two  of  which  he  spent  at  the  Soutli- 
Western  Ohio  State  Normal  School,  and  after  finishing  here,  he 
began  teaching.  Mr.  Cloud's  first  school  was  taught  near  Fayette- 
ville,  Ohio.  In  all  he  has  spent  twenty-eight  yeai-s  in  school-teach- 
ing. His  marriage  took  place  in  1861,  to  Mary  E.  Montgomery,  a 
native  of  Ohio.  To  this  union  there  have  been  born  six  children — 
Ida,  J.  L.,  William  H.,  Albert,  Thomas  W.  and  Wylie  L.  Of  these 
children  four  are  deceased.  In  1864  Mr.  Cloud  came  to  Richland 
County,  111.,  and  settled  in  Denver  Township,  and  in  1875  he  came 
to  the  place  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  radical  llepublican,  cast 
his  first  Presidential  vote  for  John  C  Fremont,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cloud  are  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  He  advocates  all  public  interests,  and  has 
been  one  of  the  most  successful  school  teachers  of  his  time. 

REV.  HENRY  COEN  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind., 
April  22,  1835,  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Katherine  (Lawrence) 
Coen,  is  the  second  of  the  five  children,  and  comes  of  Irish-German 
extraction.  His  father  was  horn  in  Ohio,  and  his  mother  was  born 
on  the  wide  Atlantic.  Thomas  Coen  now  resides  in  Missouri,  and 
his  wife  died  in  Indiana,  in  1842.  Our  subject  remained  at  home 
and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his  twenty-fourth  year, 
when  he  married,  March  24, 1859,  Lettie  Jones.  To  this  union  was 
given  one  child.  ]\Irs.  Coen  died  in  August,  I860.  Rev.  Mr.  Coen 
was  next  time  united  in  marriage  to  Ruth  C.  V.  Osburn.  To  them 
have  been  born  six  children.  The  life  of  Rev.  Coen  in  Indiana  was 
that  of  aftirmer  and  cooper,  and  in  the  tall  of  1870  he  emigrated  to 
the  northeast  part  of  Denver  Tow^nship,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  and  set- 
tled on  the  open  prairie,  about  one-half  mile  north  of  the  site  of  his 
present  residence.  He  erected  a  log  cabin  in  which  the  family  lived 
until  the  fall  of  1873,  when  they  moved  to  their  present  residence. 
Mr.  Coen  now  owns  400  acres  of  good  land,  and  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing farmers  in  the  township.  He  is  a  Republican,  cast  his  first 
Presidential  vote  for  Fremont,  and  is  at  present  Commissioner  of 
Roads  for  Denver  Township.      Our   subject   is    a  minister  in    the 


834  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES — KICHLAND    COUNTY: 

Methodist  Church,  and  received  his  license  to  preach  in  that  body- 
in  the  fall  of  1872,  beins:  ordained  the  next  year,  and  given  Pleas- 
ant View  Circuit.  He  has  preached  at  the  following  places:  Oak 
Forest,  Pleasant  View,  Blair  and  Wakefield.  He  is  a  self-made 
man,  possesses  a  vast  fund  of  knowledge,  and  has  much  influence 
over  the  flock  of  which  he  is  pastor.  While  he  has  retired  from  the 
itineracv,  he  does  a  good  deal  of  preaching,  and  spends  much  of  his 
time  in  assistins:  other  ministers. 

W.  H.  DAVIS,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  :Mitchell,  Lawrence  Co., 
Ind.,  was  born  Xovember  3,  1850,  and  is  son  of  Rev.  A.  and  Frances 
(Tolliver)  Davis,  of  English-German  lineage.      His  parents  were 
also  natives  of  Lawrence  Count}-,  Ind.     They  emigrated  to  Denver 
Township,  Richland  Co.,  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1851,  and  settled  south- 
west of  Wakefield,  and  in  1876  they  removed  to  southwest  Missouri, 
w^here  they  now  reside.      The  earliest  education  of  Dr.  Davis  was 
acquired  at  the  common  district  schools  of  Denver  Township,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1870-71,  he  feiught  school.     In  Sei)tember  follow- 
ing, he  entered  Shurtlefl'  College,  at  Alton,  111.,  and  attended  that 
institution  two  years,  and  the  fall  of  1873,  he  began  reading  medi- 
cine in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Fuson,  in  the  old  town  of  Wakefield. 
In  the  spring  of  187(5  Dr.  Davis  went  to    Wright   County,  Mo.,  and 
began  practicing  his  profession,  and  in  1878-79  attended  lectures  at 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Keokuk,Iowa,  and  on  Feb- 
ruary  25^   1879,    graduated  from    that    institution.      Immediately 
after  his  graduation   he  came  to  Wakefield  and  began  the  regular 
practice.     As   a   physician   he  has  been   very  successful.      He  was 
married,  January   26,  1881,  to   S.  E.   Clark,  a   native    of  AVayne 
County,  111.     Dr.  Davis  has  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  village 
of  Wakefield,  and  is  a   man  of  much  enterprise.     He  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  a  prominent  young  man. 

JOHN  N.  DELZELL,  fanner  and  school  teacher,  was  born  in 

Blount  County,   Tenn.,   December  29,   1818,  is  the  son  of  Robert 

and  Dorcas  (Davis)  Delzell,  and  of  Irish  descent.     Tlie  parents  of 

Mr.  Delzell  were  Southerners,  and  about  1S50  emigrated  to  Richland 

County,    111.,    settled,    lived    and  died   in    this  township.     Robert 

was   a   soldier  in    the   war  of  1812,  was  a  prominent  man    in    the 

country,  and  was  universally  known    and  respected  for  his  honesty. 

When  our   subject  was  about   fifteen    years  of  age,  he    entered  the 

Theological  Seminary   at  Maryvillc,  Tenn.,  and  in  183(j  taught  his 

first  school.     In  1839' he  removed  from  Blount  County   to  McMinn 

County,  and  there  taught  school  in  winter  and  farmed  in  the  summer 

for   a    number  of  years.      Mr.    DclzcU's    marriage    look    place  on 

August  31,  1841,  to  Nancy  Jane  Lavvrey,  a  native   of  Tennessee. 

To  this  union  has  been  bequeathed  (eleven  children.     In  1<S61    Mr. 

Delzell  and  family  came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  and  settled  in  Denver 

Townshi]),  where  they  still  reside.     ]\Ir.    Delzell  spent  six  months 

of  each   yejir   for  thirty  years  in   teaching  school,  and  was  one  of 

the  most  successful    in  the  profession.     He  was  formerly  a  Whig, 

but  is  now  a  Democrat,  })ut  generally  supports  the  best  men.     He 


OKNVKH    TOWNSHII'.  835 

is  a  Ma.>i()n,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
more  than  tifty  years.  ]\Irs.  Delzell  is  also  a  member  of  that 
church. 

A.  B.  FARQUHAR,  farmer,  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Penn.,  Jiuuiary  5,  1841,  is  the  son  of  AVilliam  ami  Sarah  (jNIoss) 
Farc^uhar,  is  tlie  youngest  of  six  chikh-en,  and  of  Scotch  descent. 
Our  subject's  parents  were  also  born  in  the  old  Penn  Common- 
wealth, llis  father  died  in  that  State  in  1856.  At  sixteen  years  of 
age  A.  B.  determined  to  become  the  architect  of  his  OAvn 
fortune,  left  his  native  State  and  came  to  Knox  County,  111.,  where 
he  remained  aljout  one  year,  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and 
began  the  study  of  dentistry  under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  flames 
Cope,  at  Fayette  City.  Here  Mr.  Farcjuhar  practiced  his  profession 
until  18()2,  when  he  went  to  California  and  there  for  two  years  con- 
tinued the  practice,  and  then  returned  again  to  the  State  of  his  birth. 
He  enlisted  in  Company  H,  First  Battalion,  Eighteenth  United 
States  Intantry,  and  was  discharged  in  March,  18(57,  at  Fort  Phillip 
Kearney,  Dakota  Territory.  In  February,  1870,  he  came  to  Denver 
Township,  Richland  County,  and  settled  where  he  now  resides.  His 
married  life  dates  from  January,  1870,  Avhen  he  was  united  by  the 
marriage  vows  to  ^laria  Eckard.  To  them  have  been  lK)rn  four 
children,  viz.  :  an  infant  that  died  nnnamed,  Frankie,  Eunice  and 
Dessie  B.  jNIr.  Farquhar  is  one  of  the  leading  Republicans  of  Den- 
ver Townshi}),  and  one  of  its  representative  men.  Since  1S74  he  lias 
been  school  treasurer  of  the  township,  and  is  a  member,  of  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  Olney  Lodge,  No.  180.  No  man  in  Denver  Township 
possesses  a  greater  degree  of  enterprise  than  Mr.  Farquhar,  nor  has 
the  place  a  more  worthy  citizen. 

SETH  \y.  GARli,  pioneer  of  Denver  Township,  was  born  in 
Wtibash  County,  HI.,  August  (j,  1829,  is  the  son  of  Justus  and  Anna 
^Oman)  Gard,  eldest  of  fourteen  children  and  is  of  Irish-German 
extraction.  His  father  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  hismother  in  the  Empire 
Sta~t€.  The  maternal  grandi)arents  of  ^Mr.  Gard  were  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  came  to  America  previous  to  the  Revolution.  Justus 
Gard  came  with  his  parents  to  the  territory  that  now  composes  the 
State  of  Illinois,  when  seven  years  of  age.  They  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Illinois,  having  settled  there  in  1.^14.  The  fatlier, 
died  in  Wabash  County  in  1870,  and  the  mother  in  18,')4.  In  June, 
1852,  the  subject  came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  and  entered  160 
acres  of  land,  upon  a  part  of  which  his  present  residence  now  stands.  -^  .  ^ 
He  came  to  Denver  Township  with  only  SI)  cents  in  money,  J^ ■  "  '  " 
and  now  owns  380  acres  of  good  land,  220  acres  of  which  are 
improved.  He  is  one  of  the  best  farmers  and  stock  growei-s  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Gard's  marriage  took  place  February  0,  1853,  to  Sarah 
J.  Ulm,  of  Clay  County.  To  this  household  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren. Mrs.  Gard  died  April  I,  is 70.  Our  subject  was  re-married 
the  same  year,  choosing  Eliza  J.  (Helpman)  Conklin.  Mr.  Gard  ^ 
was  formerly  a  Whig,  but   now    is   a   Repul)lican,  and  cast  his  first  r 

Presidenti:il  vote  for  Si'otl.     lie  has  been  a  Mason  since   18.59.     Mr.  ^_ 


836  BIOGKM^HICAL    SKETCHES HIGHLAND    COUNTY  : 

and  Mrs.  Grard  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Gard  served  as  Assessor  of  Denver  Township  for  the  years 
1860  and  1861,  and  in  1872  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
four  years  later  was  re-elected.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of 
the  township,  and  the  last  ten  years  has  marketed  about  $500  worth 
of  pork. 

ORLANDO  W.  GRAY,  pioneer  farmer  of  Richland  County, 
was  born  near  the  town  of  Weston,  Vt.,  August  27,  1833,  is 
the  son  of  Abel  and  Betsey  (Pettingill)  Gray,  is  next  to  the  youngest 
of  twelve  children,  and  is  of  English  descent.  The  parents  were 
natives  of  New  Hampshire.  When  Orlando  W.  was  three  years  ot 
age  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  from  Vermont  to  Richland  County, 
111.,  and  after  a  journey  of  eight  weeks,  settled,  one  mile  east  of  the 
present  site  of  Olney.  Our  subject's  grandfather  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  America  about  a  centmy  and  a  half  ago.  When 
Orlando  W.  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  was  compelled  to  begin 
the  world  for  himself.  He*^ first  worked  at  constructing  a  line  of  tel- 
egraph extending  from  Louisville  to  Saint  Louis,  and  in  1854  came 
to  where  he  now  lives,  first  entering  forty,  then  eighty  acres,  then 
forty  again,  and  noAV  owns  480  acres  of  good  land,  320  acres  of 
which  are  improved.  His  first  house  was  a  frame,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  of  the  kind  in  that  section.  Mr.  Gray  was  married  January  18, 
1855,  to  Emaline  Ulm,  a  native  of  Wabash  County,  HI.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  twelve  children.  He  is  a  thorough  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  since  1869.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gray  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject 
has  long  been  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Richland  County,  and  is 
one  of  its  first  settlers  and  prominent  men.  He  is  in  all  particulars  a 
self-made  man  and  his  wife  is  also  one  of  the  pioneer  women  of  the 
State.     Mr.  Gray  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Boot  Post-office  in 

1857. 

RICHARD  HALL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind., 
August  4,  1827,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (House)  Hall,  is 
the  twelfth  of  thirteen  children,  and  of  Irish-German  extraction. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Hall  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Jefferson  County, 
Ind.,  and  entered  land  where  the  town  of  Madison  now  stands.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  Republican;  he  and  ten  sons 
having  at  one  time  voted  the  Whig  ticket,  at  the  same  precinct.  He 
died  on  the  morning  of  Lee's  surrender  at  the  close  of  the  late  war. 
Richard  faced  the  cares  of  life  alone  at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
was  married  February  24, 1850,  to  Elizabeth  Hankins,  who  has  borne 
fiim  ten  children.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1853,  settled  in  Jasper 
County,  and  there  remained  till  seven  years  ago,  then  removed  to 
Denver  Township,  Richland  County,  and  reside  there  now,  near 
Wakefield.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  Republican,  and  in  1860,  was  elected  Jus- 
tice of  tlic  Peace,  and  hold  that  oflire  twelve  years.  ISIr.  and  Mrs. 
Hall  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Hall's  gi-andfather 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  army,  a  comrade  of  Daniel  Boone, 
and  lived  to   be   one   hundred  and   eight  years  of  age.     For  many 


DENVER   TOWNSHIP.  837 

years  our  subject  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  laud  traders  in  south- 
ern Illinois. 

J.  A.  Mcknight,  general  merchant  and  produce  dealer,  was 
born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  on  August  7,  1&2U,  is  the  son  ofJosepli 
L.  and  Elizabeth  (McCoUoch)  ^Ii-Kni^ht,  and  is  of  German-Irish 
descent.  His  tather  Avas  a  native  of  the  Empire  State,  and  his  mother 
of  Maryland.  In  1862,  J.  A.  McKnight  came  to  Illinois,  settled  in 
Clay  County,  and  there  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  in  which 
he  is  still  engaged;  the  work  being  carried  on  by  two  of  his  sons. 
In  1880,  our  subject  came  to  Wakefield  and  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising, and  keeps  on  hand  a  complete  line  of  dry  goods,  1)oots, 
shoes,  groceries,  etc.  He  has  been  successful  in  business.  INIr.  Mc- 
Knight'married  on  November  8,  1851,  Susan  Lewis,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. To  this  union  has  been  born  nine  children.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  deposited  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Franklin  Pierce. 
Our  subject  received  a  fair  common  school  education,  and  by  practice 
has  acquired  a  good  business  knowledge.  He  had  two  brothers  in 
the  late  war,  one  of  whom  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Mr.  McKnight 
is  a  prominent  and  successful  citizen  of  Denver  Township,  and  a 
man  of  extended  enterprise  and  energy. 

R.  C.  LOUGH,  pioneer  and  tarmer,  is  a  native  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  November  21,  1820,  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Peter  and 
Prudence  (Gibson)  Lough,  and  is  the  eldest  of  fifteen  children,  seven 
sons  and  eight  daughters;  parents  of  German-Irish  lineage,  and 
natives  of  West  Virginia.  In  1839,  they,  with  fourteen  children,  emi- 
grated to  Edwards  County,  111.,  and  there  remained  five  years,  when 
they  removed  to  Clay  County,  and  there  the  father  died  in  1800,  and 
the  mother  in  Richland  County,  in  September,  1883.  The  paternal 
grandfather  of  Mr.  Lough,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  his  father  was  a  prominent  man  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Clay 
County,  HI.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  Lough,  our  subject,  occurred  on 
September  28,  1841,  to  Mary  Ann  Com-trecht,  a  native  of  Wabash 
County,  111.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children,  viz.:  Benjamin 
P.,  Samantha  C.  (deceased),  Martha  L.  (deceased)  and  Nomian  A. 
Benjamin  P.  died  near  Vicks])urg,  ^liss.,  during  the  late  war.  He 
was  a  member  ot  Company  A,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  enlisted  at  Olney 
in  1863,  and  died  in  1864,  a  brave  and  true  soldier.  Mrs.  Lough  died 
in  June,  1869,  and  Mr.  Lough  was  married  again  in  the  following 
November.  He  chose  Jennie  BradshaAv,  a  native  of  AYayne  County, 
m.  In  1845,  they  settled  where  they  now  reside,  and  have  been 
here  for  thirty-nine  years.  He  built  the  first  house  about  fifteen  rods 
from  the  site  of  his  present  residence,  a  cabin  sixteen  foet  square, 
constructed  of  i)oles,  after  the  fashion  of  the  early  pioneer  dwellings. 
At  the  time  of  the  maiTiage  of  Mr.  Lough,  he  only  possessed  an  ax 
and  a  gun,  and  borrowed  money  to  get  his  marriage  license.  He  now 
owns  364  acres  of  good  laud,  264  acres  of  Avhich  are  improved.  His 
residence  is  one  of  the  best  in  Denver  Township.  It  was  erected  in 
1861,  and  cost  $2,000.  ]Mr.  L.  is  a  thorough  Repul^lican,  and  cast  his 
first  Presidential  vote  for  Henry  Clay.  He  has  been  Township  Asses- 


«38  BIOGHAPmCAL    SKETCIIKS IMCIM.AM)    ('(H  NTY: 

sor,  tiiid  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  four  years.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  since  1855,  and  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Churcli  foi-  forty-ci^ht  years.  Mrs.  Loui^h  is  also  a 
member  of  that  church.  Our  su])ject  is  one  of  the  enterprising-  men 
of  Richland  County  and  is  a  thorouiih  Christian  gentleman.  He  is 
now  the  oldest  liviuii-  settler  in  Denver  Township. 

HAYS  B.  MILLER,  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  was  l)orn  at 
Rising  Sun,  Ohio  Co.,  Ind.,  July  1,  1850,  is  the  son  of  John  C.  and 
Mary^Turner)  iSIiller,  is  the  youngest  of  three  cliildren,  and  is  of 
German-Irish  lineage.  The  parents  of  Hays  B.  were  natives  of 
the  old  "  Penn  State,"  but  in  early  life  emigrated  to  Ohio  County, 
Ind.,  and  there  his  father  now  resides,  and  there  liis  mother  died  in 
1851.  John  Miller  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  that  county, 
and  has  been  County  Treasurer  for  a  number  of  years.  In  the  fall 
of  1868  our  subject  left  his  native  home,  went  to  Bureau  County, 
111.,  and  there  remained  eighteen  months.  He  then  returned  to  his 
native  county,  in  Indiana,  and  remained  one  year,  next  coming  to 
Denver  Towiiship,  this  comity.  The  first  year  he  farmed  with  S.  C 
Wilson,  then  rented  a  farm  for  three  years,  and  in  1877  moved  to 
that  place  where  he  now  lives.  Mr.  Miller  was  marricnl  in  the 
centennial  year,  to  Alice  O.,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizaljeth 
Gray,  and  a  native  of  Keokuk,  Iowa.  To  this  marriage  has  been 
born  three  children,  viz.:  Albert  M.  (deceased),  an  intant  (deceased, 
unnamed)  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  radical  Rcpul)lican, 
cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Hayes,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  successful  young  men  of  Denver 
Township,  a  prominent  citizen  and  a  thorough  gentleman.  He  has 
a  good  common-school  education.  For  a  number  of  years  ]Mr. 
Miller  has  been  engaged  in  raising  fine  stock,  his  cattle  having 
several  times  taken  first  premiums  at  the  Richland  Countv  Fair. 

JOHN  MONTGOMERY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Gloucester  County, 
N.  J.,  November  19, 182!),  is  the  son  of  William  andlNIary  A.  (Extel) 
Montgomery,  is  the  eldest  living  of  ten  children,  and  is  of  English- 
Irish  descent.  The  father  was  born  in  the  old  "  Penn  Sfcite,"  and  his 
mother  in  New  Jersey.  When  the  subject  was  nine  years  of  age, 
he  emigrated  with  his  i)arents  to  Clinton  (bounty,  Ohio,  and  there 
his  father  died  in  18(i9;  and  when  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age 
he  began  the  struggle  of  life  alone.  He  married  on  December  25, 
1858,  Belinda  Simmons,  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was  born 
May  14,  1888.  To  this  union  has  been  born  eleven  children.  In 
March,  18G3,  INIr.  Montgomery  came  to  Richland  County,  111.,  set- 
tled in  Denver  Township,  and  in  18(U)  settled  where  he  now  resides. 
He  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Montgomery  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  body  he  has  belonged 
since  1848.  In  187(5  he  was  elected  Assessor  of  Denver  Township, 
has  served  in  that  office  three  terms,  and  two  terms  as  Township 
Collector. 

GEORGE  R.  OSBURN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 


DENVER    TOWNSMIP.  839 

liul.,  ScptomlKU-  2(),  1828,  is  the  son  of  rlmiios  T.  iiiul  Ruth  (  Nelson) 
Osburii,  is  the  tit'th  of  eleven  children,  and  is  of  En<rlisi»-Welsh 
descents  The  parents  came  to  the  territory  that  now  composes 
Indiana  as  early  as  1801,  Ikmhit  ainoni;-  the  first  settlers  of  Indiana. 
The  father  died  in  Franklin  County,  in  1858,  and  the  mother  two 
years  previously.  The  i)aternal  ij-randfather  of  our  subject  was 
one  of  the  first  men  in  Kentucky,  and  was  accidentally  drowned  in 
the  Ohio  River  near  the  mouth  of  Bi<2f  Sandy,  about  17!)i!.  (xeorije 
K.  remained  at  home  and  su[)erintended  lii:^  father's  farm  until 
18()7,  when  he  came  to  Denver  Township,  Richland  County,  in 
this  State,  and  settled  where  he  now  lives,  and  where  he  now  owns 
300  acres  of  good  land,  which  he  redeemed  from  the  wild  prairie. 
Mr.  Osburn's  marriage  occurred  in  18(j(),  to  Martha  F.  Suttin,  a 
native  of  Franklin  Comity,  Ind.  They  had  nine  children,  all 
deceased,  save  one.  Mr.  Osburn  enlisted  on  January  1,  18()2, 
in  Company  B,  Fifty-Second  Indiana  Infantry,  and  was  discharofed 
on  September  10,  1865,  at  jMontc-omery,  Ala.  He  particijjatcd  in 
the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Nashville,  Mobile  and  others,  lie 
now  votes  as  he  shot,  in  the  Republican  tield.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Osburn  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MORTHIER  PHILLIPS,  pioneer  of  Denver  Township,  was 
born  in  AVest  Virginia,  July  30,  1830,  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Mehetable  (Gould)  Phillips,  is  the  fourth  of  twelve  children,  and 
is  of  Scotch  extraction.  His  parents  were  born  in  jSlassachusetts, 
but  when  young,  emigrated  with  their  parents  to  West  Virginia, 
where  the  paternal  grandfather  of  ]\Iortimer  Phillips  died  at 
about  one  hundred  j^cars  of  age.  His  father  died  there  in  18(10, 
and  mother  about  ten  years  later.  Our  subject  remained  at  home 
until  his  twenty-first  year,  and  worked  for  his  father,  having  the 
])rivilege  of  attending  school  a  few  days  during  each  Avinter. 
Mortimer  was  married  in  1853  to  Lydia  (Lough)  Douthit.  They 
had  seven  children.  Mrs.  Phillips  died  in  1875,  and  our  subject 
was  married  in  the  same  year  to  Ellen  Clark.  They  have  six 
children.  In  1852  Mr.  Phillips  came  to  Richland  County,  and 
settled  where  he  now  lives,  entc'ring  at  the  time  eighty  acres  of 
land.  Mr.  Phillips  enlisted  on  November  1,  1861,  in  Company  H, 
Twenty-Sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  took  part  in  many  battles,  and 
was  discharged  on  July  20, 1<S(;5.  He  and  Avife  belong  to  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  with  which  he  has  been  identified  for  thirty 
years.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  Clerk  of  this  township  for 
eight  years. 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

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COUNTIES  OF  CUMBERLAND,  JASPER  AND  RICHL 


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